Dear Morningside Center friends,

So many of the teachers we know are feeling exhausted right now. If that describes you, we are sending you warm wishes and appreciation for the work that you do. And below, we offer some resources we hope will be helpful for you and your students, including lessons on feelings for K-12, and teaching ideas for Black History Month.

You'll also find good stuff to read, including some encouraging words from Thich Nhat Hanh, the Buddhist teacher and peace activist who died on January 22.

What's the difference between punitive and restorative discipline? In her new article in Principal Leadership, Morningside Center trainer Marieke van Woerkom shares twelve distinguishing qualities of a restorative approach.

This has been an extremely stressful time for many young people and educators alike. These activities invite students to share their feelings - and encourage empathy and mutual support.

"The Omicron surge is ending. The crisis will still be here. Children are not okay. Teachers are not okay. We knew this year would be hard, but we didn’t know it would be this tough." By Seth Lavin at the Chicago Sun Times

"While some school districts are responding to a pandemic-driven surge in student misbehavior with mental health support and disciplinary alternatives, others are suspending kids." By Tara García Mathewson at the Hechinger Report

"If necessity is the mother of invention, educators and school leaders around the world have had two years of inventiveness under the pandemic, spawning innovative ways to carry out instruction when schools are closed." By Sarah D. Sparks at Education Week