Professional Development

Author: Sterling Ta'Bon, Healthy Schools Manager & National Cadre Coordinator at Cairn Guidance Structure Behavior: Imagine you are given your very first pet, a puppy named after your favorite candy bar. This puppy will become the reflection of the environment you create for them such as protection, nutrition, and attention. As the puppy develops, they easily associate your presence with one that brings great benefit. Their perception of you is based on thousands of behaviors and Read ▸ about Building Better Systems: What a Puppy Can Teach Us About Change

By: Richelle Calderon (NY) Have you ever had a professional encounter that completely changed your trajectory? For me, that moment came in 2019 as a college junior at the NYS AHPERD Conference. I wandered by The Dove Self-Esteem Project (DSEP) booth, curious about an activity that focused on appreciating things we love about ourselves beyond physical appearance - I cherished my Dominican culture - and just like that I received a tote bag and a bookmark that gave me access to all the DESP Read ▸ about My Journey with the Dove Self-Esteem Project: Views from a DSEP Cadre Trainer

The Dove Self-Esteem Project is on a mission to highlight self-confidence as the source of beauty, not outward appearances, and societal standards. With the global mission of reaching ¼ billion young people by 2030, everyone can play a role in increasing body confidence and self-esteem in the lives of youth. Curricula like Dove Self-Esteem Project’s, Confident Me, My Hair My Crown, Proud to Be and Celebrándome present free and easily accessible turnkey lessons and activities. The ability to Read ▸ about The Dove Self-Esteem Project:  A mission for all.

The Dove Self-Esteem Project offers an incentive every project year for those who complete our Confident Me! feedback survey, this years winner was Rocky Flint. Rocky is a PE teacher from Oklahoma and this year the Dove Self-Esteem Project provided the funding for his trip to TAHPERD. Check out Rocky's experience below! I am so grateful for the opportunity that the Dove Self-Esteem Project gave me to attend the TAHPERD 100th Conference this year. I could never have attended Read ▸ about Insights from a Winner of the Dove Self-Esteem Project Incentive

Fall is amongst us, and with that comes pep rallies, Friday Night Football games, and bonding with family and friends who cheer on their favorite team, band, and supporting cast! As fans, parents, and students we give our utmost energy and support trying to rally our teams to victory on the field, and we should also continue our encouragement off the field. In this blog, you’ll read of students who exemplified what it meant to be the #1 fan of mental health awareness and education in their Read ▸ about Plainville Pep Club Shines Light on Depression During Football Matchup

In a story about equity and inclusion, Professor Richard Lapchick, Founder of the Institute of Sports and Justice, uses the “huddle” as a metaphor for communities that care about all’s needs.The huddle in sports is when teammates and like-minded individuals gather to share the game plan, congratulate each other, or gain encouragement for the next play.The huddle is an environment that accepts all, with an understanding that those surrounding each other have sacrificed for each Read ▸ about Creating the huddle: Healthy School’s Manager Sterling Ta’Bon, shares insights on Center of Equity and Inclusion facilitator intensive.

The Cairn Guidance team is very excited to share a variety of training events and opportunities this Fall. As always, please reach out if you have any questions. Deep Dives into the Health Education Standards This week is the last opportunity to sign up for this awesome training series, starting on Monday, October 2, 2023. We have offered this multiple times for clients and opened it up to others around the country! We will be co-facilitating this with RMC Health. Each of the eight Read ▸ about Upcoming 2023 Fall Events and Opportunities!

Author: Sterling Ta'Bon, Healthy Schools Manager As I prepared for Cairn Guidance’s Shine Light on Depression Ambassador Retreat, I reflected on our theme, “Illuminating the Light”. The opportunity to gather Ambassadors from across the country to one single location for one single purpose brought its special light. We are privileged to have Ambassadors representing the states of Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, Kansas, South Carolina, Texas, and Washington.The retreat was established to Read ▸ about R&R with Shine Light on Depression: Retreat and Recharge