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F E A T U R E D A R T I C L E

2017 FALL NAREN Conference

OCTOBER 19-20, 2017

Trauma & Transformation

Conference sessions will focus on 7 key areas:

1) Trauma-informed Instructional Strategies

2) Trauma-informed Behavior Motivation Practices & Systems

3) Tools for Implementing Transformation Education

4) Relationship Building

5) Motivation & Engagement

6) Self-Care for Child-Serving Professionals

7) Stories of Transformation

Keep checking the narentranzed.org

for the latest updates and conference news!

Vol. 9, Issue 2 June 2017

Featured Article

Last Hosted Workshop of the School Year!

Presenter's Corner

2017 FALL NAREN Conference: Keynotes

Announced

Calendar of Upcoming Events

Agree to Disagree by Amy Fortney Parks, PhD-R, LPC | Certified Presenter, The Upside Down Organization

This morning, scrolling through my Facebook feed, a video popped up by my very favorite President of all time...

KID PRESIDENT!

Robby AKA “Kid President” was adopted from foster care as an infant, and suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a disease that makes his bones brittle. You’d think after over 70 surgeries, he’d be depressed and bitter, but Kid President is anything but!

His video today inspired this conversation about how to help kids (and grown ups) agree to disagree.

There has been a lot of disagreement in the news lately - among sports fans, social media moguls, and...of course, political candidates. And much of the disagreement hasn’t been so respectful.

Recently I observed a class of second graders as they happily shared their opinions about a children's picture book. They were responding to their teacher's open-ended question about what might have motivated one of the characters in the book.

As they chatted with partners, I heard students say things like, "I'm going to have to respectfully disagree with that because on this page, the author said, ..." or "I see what you're saying, and I wonder if..."

When the teacher invited the students to share out their ideas with the whole group, the children again used respectful terminology to show a remarkably wide variety of opinions: "I want to piggyback on what _____ said," or "I want to ask _____ a question about what he said because I'm not sure I agree."

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Agree to Disagree (continued)

Wow, these were second graders! It was impressive to see children so young using such respectful and articulate language. Would it be nice to hear this kind of language more often in our world! I was especially struck by these students' ability to cheerfully disagree because it seems to be a skill that many adults never fully develop.

Below are some strategies that Kid President and The Wise Family agree might help.

Model Respectful Disagreement Generally, the ability to “agree to disagree” comes from reading scenes in books or watching characters on television which mainly teaches kids how to state their case and then dramatically exit a room. Think about the role models on TV right now, and what they are teaching kids about disagree-ments. Think about how you, as a parent, model disagree-ments and challenge yourself to use calm or neutral language when you disagree with others. Stick to the facts, your feelings, and what you are observing.

Give Permission by Teaching Language Often kids in our office tell us that they've been instructed to keep their opinions to themselves so they can "make friends" or "not ruffle feathers." This is the opposite of a positive approach. Teach your children that it is OK to disagree in "respectful" ways, and give them a script on how to do it. Some helpful phrases are, "Here's what I think..." or "I want to understand your point of view, and share mine."

Teach Problem Solving and Flexibility We are all quick to jump in with a solution to a problem or to give a punishment, particularly when we are emotionally charge. Teach your child that you are open to listening to alterna-tives, and show your child that you empathize (not sympathize) with his frustration. Saying things like, "I hadn't considered that, and I will give it some thought," and "I know that it doesn't feel fair that you have to have an earlier bedtime," can help your child feel heard and his feelings acknowledged.

We want to teach our kids the skills they will need throughout life to work side by side with others, and to be able to share their thoughts, feelings and opinions without fear of judgment!

To quote Kid President, "You don't have to see eye-to-eye with someone, to work shoulder-to-shoulder!" #wisewords

Be Wise!

Amy Fortney Parks is a certified presenter for The Upside Down Organization. Amy describes herself as a life-long educator, a passionate psychologist and often stressed-out, but mostly happy, mom of four! She is the Executive Director of WISE Mind Solutions, LLC, a Northern Virginia-based practice focused on children, teens and families. She is also the owner of The Wise Family - a comprehensive brand for kids and parents designed to inspire, educate and energize families! Amy is also an Adjunct Professor of Lifespan Development at George Washington University. Amy brings with her over 25 years of education and experience working with children, adolescents and families as both an educator and psychologist. Her focuses include individual counseling for kids, tweens and teens, parent and educational consulting. She is a passionate "BRAIN-trainer" and strives to help everyone she works with understand how their own unique brain works. Amy holds a Masters Degree in Psychological Services and is in the dissertation phase of her Doctorate in Educational Psychology. More information and how to chat directly with her about your family are on her website, www.thewisefamily.com or connect SOCIALLY @wisefamilies

Often kids in our office tell us that they’ve been instructed to keep their opinions to themselves so they can “make friends” or “not ruffle feathers.” This is the opposite of a positive approach. Teach your children it is okay to disagree in “respectful” ways, and give them a script on how to do it. Some helpful phrases are, “Here’s what I think…” or “I want to understand your point of view , and share mine.”

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UDO Hosts LAST Workshop of the School Year on Thursday, June 29th: “Mind Management”

Interested in learning how to keep your mind in top mental condition even under the stresses and challenges

of career, family and personal life?

How about an "Owner’s Manual for your Mind?"

J U N E 29, 2017 MIND MANAGEMENT:

NEUROSCIENCE, SELF-CARE, AND LIFE

SUCCESS The TranZed Conference Center

6802 McClean Blvd., Baltimore, MD

6 Category I Social Work CEUs

Drawn from the latest neuroscience, this session will show attendees how to keep their minds in the best possible shape emotionally, psychologically and spiritually. Participants will learn how to develop a high level of mental fitness and extraordinary psychological health. In addition, participants will be shown how to accelerate their learning, deepen their relationships and effectively resolve stress. As a whole, the three learning objectives below will provide attendees with an “Owner's Manual for the Management of Their Mind” designed to empower them to break through the barriers of stress, depression and negativity to demonstrate their highest mental ability in the most challenging circumstances.

L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E S

1. Attendees will be able to identify the foundational principles underlying great mental fitness.

2. Participants will be able to use the seven basic skills of high productivity and extraordinary psychological health.

3. Attendees will learn the newest techniques for accelerated learning, relationship enhancement and stress/trauma resolution.

C O S T

Individual Registration: $149.00

Group Registration (3 or more): $129.00 per person

Register today at the UDO website: www.upsidedownorganization.org

Page 4

2017 Spring NAREN Conference Recap

Presenter’s Corner

Emily Moody kicked off the month of February with a "Beyond Poverty" workshop to staff at Battle Grove Elementary School in Dundalk, MD. Two months later she presented again in Prince Frederick, MD for the Calvert County Family Network and offered workshops on the adolescent brain, and language and the brain.

Ellen Abramson presented for two organizations in March, starting with a "The New IQ?" workshop for staff at Prince George's County Public Schools Judy Hoyer Early Childhood Center in Largo, MD. The following week, Ellen traveled to Darnstown, MD and presented a half day "Right From the Start" session to early childhood teachers at Georgetown Hill-Bells Mills.

In March, Shauna King presented "The New IQ?" and "Change Your Language, Change Their Lives" to staff at The Children's Guild Non-Public School in Brooklyn, MD. The following month, Shauna visited the Children's Behavioral Health Urgent Care Center in Hampton, VA and presented a "Beyond Poverty" workshop. Shauna wrapped up April with a full day "Giving Fish a Bath" workshop for staff of the United Methodist Home for Children in Mechanicsburg, PA.

T H A N K Y O U

for your support of the 2017 NAREN Conference. It truly was a memorable experience.

“NAREN is always a great opportunity for me to recharge and refresh my 'toolbox.' I took away so much great info and ideas.”

“Thank you for your commitment to At-Risk Students and for providing such valuable tools to those who teach, support and love them!”

“I really appreciated the wide range of breakout options and the many different topics that were covered. All of the presenters were enthusiastic and very knowledgeable.”

“WOW! I feel like my brain is going to burst with all of the great information I learned. I REALLY appreciated the passion of all the presenters and that they really know their stuff! I can’t wait to implement things immediately.”

Certified Presenters Spring into Spring Presentations!

The TranZed Alliance

Conference Center −

You’ve Gotta See This Place!

Our multipurpose conference

center is the perfect setting for your next

seminar, meeting,

conference, retreat or social

event.

To learn more or inquire more

about booking the Conference Center please

call 410-444-3800

and ask for LaMar Williams.

Page 5

Presenter’s Corner (continued)

The 14th annual National At-Risk Education Network (NAREN) Conference was held in early April and UDO was well represented at this 3-day event. Shauna King and Heather Higgins both conducted breakout sessions for the conference. Shauna presented three (3) sessions: "Trauma and the Brain," "Change Your Language, Change Their Lives," and "The New IQ?." Heather shared UDO's workshop on gender and the brain with a "Jack's Brain, Jill's Brain" breakout workshop. Both Heather and Shauna presented to packed rooms!

Terri McCloskey traveled to Montrose, PA and presented a half day "Beyond Poverty" workshop to staff in the Montrose Area School District.

In April, Heather Higgins presented to early childhood providers and educators from the Lower Shore Child Care Resource Center in Salisbury, MD. Heather opened the day with a morning "Change Your Language, Change Their Lives" keynote, followed by three (3) "Brain Matters" breakout sessions, and a closing "Beyond Poverty" workshop.

Amy Fortney Parks presented a half day "Change Your Language, Change Their Lives" workshop to The Virginia Association of Community Boards (VACBS) in Portsmouth, VA.

Chris Grace shared her Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder knowledge and presented a "Rethinking ADHD" session to parents and staff at Partners for Success in Leonardtown, MD.

Gloria Sherman presented a "Change Your Language, Change Their Lives" workshop in Montrose, MI for Montrose Community Schools.

NOW is the Time to Book your Fall 2017 Training Dates!

Looking for a presenter to visit your school, program or organization? Visit our website and click on the "Request a Quote" button for a

free, no-obligation quote.

Ready to submit a request now?

Calendar of Events

Guide to upcoming events and The Upside Down Organization workshops:

JUNE June 6 Beyond Poverty: Brain-Inspired Ways to Understand and Respond to Poverty Emily Moody | Battle Grove Elementary | Dundalk, MD June 8 Beyond Poverty: Brain-Inspired Ways to Understand and Respond to Poverty Shauna King | Garfield School District | Garfield, NJ

October 19-20, 2017 Trauma & Transformation 2 Days! Energizing Keynotes! Memorable Breakout Sessions! Featured Speakers! Breakfast and Lunch Each Day...and much more!

DETAILS COMING SOON! Now is the time to mark your calendar and clear those dates!

June 21 Trauma and the Brain: The Developmental Impact of Trauma in Childhood Beyond Poverty: Brain-Inspired Ways to Understand and Respond to Poverty

Shauna King | Dorchester County Health Department | Cambridge, MD June 22 & 23 Beyond Poverty: Brain-Inspired Ways to Understand and Respond to Poverty Emily Moody | Baltimore County Public Schools | Owings Mills, MD June 23 Beyond Poverty: Brain-Inspired Ways to Understand and Respond to Poverty Heather Higgins | Titusville Regional Literacy Council | Titusville, PA June 28 Trauma and the Brain: The Developmental Impact of Trauma in Childhood Frank Kros | University of Baltimore School of Law | Baltimore, MD June 29 Managing Your Mind: Neuroscience, Self-Care and Life Success Frank Kros | Hosted Workshop | Baltimore, MD

JULY July 11-13 Right From the Start: Building Great Brains From Birth to Age 5 Shauna King | MSDE - Early Learning | Easton, Frederick & Upper Marlboro MD July 14 Change Your Language, Change Their Lives: What Adults Can Say Differently Today to Change the Tomorrows of Our Youth Shauna King | Children's Behavioral Health Urgent Care Unit | Hampton, VA

AUGUST

August 8 Change Your Language, Change Their Lives: What Adults Can Say Differently Today to Change the Tomorrows of Our Youth Giving a Fish a Bath: The Untold Story of the Adolescent Mind Gloria Sherman | Iowa Department of Public Health | Des Moines, IA August 29 Conquering Boredom, Apathy, Indifference in the Classroom: Strategies to Challenge, Excite and Motivate Your Students Shauna King | Baltimore County Public Schools | Towson, MD

Page 6

Calendar of Events (continued)

The Upside

Down

Organization

(UDO) is a non-profit organization

dedicated to the

education and

advocacy of

Transformation

Education, an

organizational

philosophy and

operating system

for child-serving organizations.

UDO offers

professional

development

experiences,

mentoring

services, learning

tools and

organizational branding that help

improve the skills

of people who

educate, parent,

guide and care for

young people.

Visit UDO online,

contact 410-444-

5415 or e-mail

info@upsidedown organization.org.

2017 FALL NAREN Conference

www.narentranzed.org