Schools & Education

In this week's podcast, I am talking to Yehudit Sarah who actually attended my CTI training this past Fall, even though she is already certified in the Nurtured Heart Approach. Yehudit Sarah talks about how she came to finding the NHA and how she combined it with her now 40+ years of teaching. Tune in to hear everything she has to say! To contact Yehudit Sarah, feel free to email her at Janet.Waller@gmail.com

We've all experienced the child who "acts out". But do you recognize the child who "acts in"? The child who doesn't do anything wrong, may in fact do everything perfect right, be the star student, the teachers pet, but is secretly yearning for more attention? The child who doesn't feel seen at all, even though they're getting attention for their accomplishments? In this weeks episode, I chat with Yehudit Sarah about how we can help make EVERYONE feel included, and how to keep on top of ourselves so as to not let any child fall through the cracks. If you'd like to reach out to Yehudit Sarah, you can email her at Janet.Waller@gmail.com.

In this week's podcast, I am back with Yehudit Sarah. Last week we spoke about recognizing the child who "acts in". In this week's podcast we are delving in to how we can actually connect and communicate with those children so they do not feel left behind or neglected. If you'd like to reach out to Yehudit Sarah, you can email her at Janet.Waller@gmail.com.

In this weeks podcast I am chatting again with the one and only Devorah Levin. A couple of months ago, Devorah and I chatted about "Transforming the Hitter in Preschool with NHA" and todays episode is a continuation of that where Devorah expounds upon the 3 stands of NHA on how to have the most smoothly functioning classroom possible. Devorah focuses a lot on how to "energize" a child when they may seem like they are acting out or being difficult, but actually simply want our attention. To reach out to Devorah, you can contact her by phone at (650) 561-6013 or by email at Devorah@chabadpaloalto.com.

Pam Machefsky AKA Teacher Pam is known for running the most sought out classroom in every preschool she's ever worked in. And she's worked in quite a few. Pam was successfully guiding and inspiring little hearts and minds long before the Nurtured Heart even came into existence. As a girl, I always marveled at Pam's twinkly smile, ready laugh, and positive way of saying everything. She had a way of making you feel important and valued and I wanted to get some of her wisdom on air. Enjoy people, she is a treasure! Want to hear more from Pam? Send your question to QandAwithMussi@gmail.com and I'll book another recording. See you next time! Mussi

My incredibly talented sister in law is one the directors of Chabad of Palo alto and in addition to a million other amazing things, she runs an after school program that fortunately brought straight into the Nurtured Heart. Kids after a day of school are not at their best; add on personal intensity and sensitivities and you've got quite the chaotic situation. In this first half of our conversation, listen to Devorah so eloquently describe how the transformation of her program unfolded along with so many nuggets of brilliance along the way. To reach Devorah you can email her at Devorah@chabadpaloalto.com

In part 2 of this incredible conversation, my sister-in-law Devorah Levin, co-director of Chabad of Palo Alto, describes her unique and brilliant way of maintaining physical and emotional safety for the children in her after school program, while never wavering from the mission of building inner-wealth and inspiring through greatness. We weave through the nuances of clarity VS punishment, with a relentless determination to never attach a child's definition of themselves or relationship with their negative behavior. Clarity empowers teachers and parents to be able retain dignity and emotional equilibrium in the face of challenging behaviors. Counter to the many systems our there that are designed to get ever more harsh to "match the negativity of the behavior", Devorah's 4 simple steps actually enabled her staff to stay in positive relationship with the students as they simply and smoothly move through the process of a child in reset. To learn more and reach out to Devorah herself, email her at Devorah@chabadPaloAlto.com

Celeste Elsey is one of my many heroes in standing for love and people's worth. This is a must listen to episode! Her work in creating psychological safety for students and teachers is TRANSFORMATIONAL and the curriculum and activities' she's created SAVES LIVES! Teachers and school administrations - if you have the means to work with Celeste you should! Find Celeste Elsey and her incredible work at ⁠ConsortiumTraining.com⁠. For her book go to: https://www.amazon.com/Greatness-Kids-Initiative-Celeste-Elsey/dp/0578482770/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2EHXEWOOD88UI&keywords=greatness+kids+initiative&qid=1698170850&sprefix=greatness+kids%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1 Stay tuned because I have another amazing episode with Celeste coming up in a few weeks! Celeste's Bio: I'm Celeste Elsey, an accomplished professional with a background in special education, general education, and alternative education. I have a passion for supporting parents, caregivers, therapists, social workers, and educators. For 15 years, I have worked as a public speaker, coach, and trainer, helping build positive relationships, well-being, and reducing negative behaviors in home and school settings across the United States. My background includes teaching special education in K-8 and middle school, alternative education in middle and high school, as well as instructional coaching for teachers. As a facilitator and coach, I share effective strategies to increase student engagement and reduce behaviors, ensuring that children of all ages feel seen, safe, and heard. I have been part of school intervention teams, PBIS teams, school site safety teams and have served on multiple leadership teams, including being Teacher In Charge, PLC Leader, and Peer Leader. In 2019, I authored the book "Greatness Kids Initiative", offering over 70 activities to build self-esteem and individual success for children. Honored with the Teacher Who Makes A Difference award in 2010 and the Placer County Certificated Employee of the Year 2021, I recently retired as a special educator. I have experience as an education consultant for organizations including DPrep Safety, Rutgers University, Placer County Ca Children’s System of Care, and schools nationwide. I currently serve as the Chief Officer of Operations for Consortium Training & Consulting. We support schools with external and internal safety and facilitate trainings ranging from Emergency Preparedness to Educator Wellness. Let's connect and explore how we can work together to create safe, inclusive learning environments and to empower teachers and students in school. Contact Information https://www.consortiumtraining.com/ celeste@consortiumtraining.com 866-284-4933 ext. 3 https://xchangeapproach.com/ XCHANGE is a scientifically based approach for unlocking potential in groups through the art of facilitation. The xchange strategies support psychological safety and use the Appreciative Inquiry model as a way to increase learning by including engaging questions. https://www.heartmath.com/ HeartMath helps you tap into the power and intelligence of your heart – your heart's intuition – which awakens you to the best version of yourself.

This is the power of believing in only seeing people for their beauty, greatness and worth. Celeste is such a strong person for living by this in event he most intense classrooms and scenarios. I feel so lucky to present you with these powerful stories from her world. Teachers and school administrations - if you have the means to work with Celeste you should! Find Celeste Elsey and her incredible work at ⁠⁠ConsortiumTraining.com⁠⁠. For her book Greatness kids Initiative go to ⁠⁠https://www.amazon.com/Greatness-Kids-Initiative-Celeste-Elsey/dp/0578482770/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2EHXEWOOD88UI&keywords=greatness+kids+initiative&qid=1698170850&sprefix=greatness+kids%2Caps%2C165&sr=8-1⁠⁠ Celeste's Bio: I'm Celeste Elsey, an accomplished professional with a background in special education, general education, and alternative education. I have a passion for supporting parents, caregivers, therapists, social workers, and educators. For 15 years, I have worked as a public speaker, coach, and trainer, helping build positive relationships, well-being, and reducing negative behaviors in home and school settings across the United States. My background includes teaching special education in K-8 and middle school, alternative education in middle and high school, as well as instructional coaching for teachers. As a facilitator and coach, I share effective strategies to increase student engagement and reduce behaviors, ensuring that children of all ages feel seen, safe, and heard. I have been part of school intervention teams, PBIS teams, school site safety teams and have served on multiple leadership teams, including being Teacher In Charge, PLC Leader, and Peer Leader. In 2019, I authored the book "Greatness Kids Initiative", offering over 70 activities to build self-esteem and individual success for children. Honored with the Teacher Who Makes A Difference award in 2010 and the Placer County Certificated Employee of the Year 2021, I recently retired as a special educator. I have experience as an education consultant for organizations including DPrep Safety, Rutgers University, Placer County Ca Children’s System of Care, and schools nationwide. I currently serve as the Chief Officer of Operations for Consortium Training & Consulting. We support schools with external and internal safety and facilitate trainings ranging from Emergency Preparedness to Educator Wellness. Let's connect and explore how we can work together to create safe, inclusive learning environments and to empower teachers and students in school. Contact Information https://www.consortiumtraining.com/ celeste@consortiumtraining.com 866-284-4933 ext. 3 https://xchangeapproach.com/ XCHANGE is a scientifically based approach for unlocking potential in groups through the art of facilitation. The xchange strategies support psychological safety and use the Appreciative Inquiry model as a way to increase learning by including engaging questions. https://www.heartmath.com/ HeartMath helps you tap into the power and intelligence of your heart – your heart's intuition – which awakens you to the best version of yourself.

My guests Jana and Kellie had been successful NHA early childhood educators in Fargo ND for years, before they decided to take their impact to the next level by opening their very own wall-to-wall NHA preschool called Peace Academy. Listen to their personal journeys into the approach, and the possibilities that are available when this approach is applied school wide. They have built something incredible and I feel so blessed to bear witness. To find out more about Peace Academy, or to reach these powerful women, go to PAFargo.com, or find them @PeaceAcademyND on social media.

What a lucky opportunity to get a peak into the brilliant minds of these two Early Childhood professional educators. Listen to 22 minutes chock full of practical and creative tips and tricks of making Inner Wealth building a reality in your spaces. These nuggets are priceless and I am so grateful to Peace Academy and these incredible women for sharing their wisdom with us! To find out more about Peace Academy, or to reach these powerful women, go to PAFargo.com, or find them @PeaceAcademyND on social media. Did you know that I offer 1:1 and group coaching? Join our beautiful community of support. Check it out at MussiDiskin.com/Coaching

Tziporah is back with stories to share from her life long passion and commitment to trusting and nurturing children of all ages. To reach Tziporah you can email her at MyHappyHeartCoach@gmail.com To find out more about her 3 phenomenal "raising a mensch" series, go to RaisingAMensch.com

And she's back! Part three with Sarah Baila Teleshevsky. Her inspiring and practical stories are chalk full with so many lessons, and so much love. Enjoy! If you would like to connect with Sarah Baila, reach out to me at EnergizingHearts@gmail.com and I'll make it happen. Sarah Baila's book, Born to Serve, can be purchased on amazon ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠: ⁠⁠⁠https://a.co/d/5zjP4D5⁠⁠⁠ More about the book: Who does not want to live a healthy, happy, and purposeful life? Is this simply an unachievable dream? Are we all doomed to live our lives with a grin and bear it attitude? Or is it really possible to find true fulfilment and purpose within our daily struggles? Author Sarah Teleshevsky's Born to Serve is a comprehensive guide for anyone seeking a healthy, happy, and purposeful life. She provides a tried and tested system that enables those who seriously want to affect a change to progress from level to level in the attainment of personal growth, emotional healing, and satisfying relationships. You will discover some surprising keys to achieving a deeper, richer, more vibrant connection with loved ones, friends and acquaintances, neighbors, colleagues, and business associates. Born to Serve will bring you to a state of real harmony with your inner being and the personal and wider world you share with others. In addition, parents and educators will find a simple formula for healing and transformation which will positively influence children, and properly prepare each one for a life of purpose and success, discernment and wisdom.

In this weeks video I chat with Devorah: A morah, mummy, friend, and more! Devorah brings up multiple good points and ideas on how to work with children who may have an issue with physical aggression. Does our child or student immeditately go to hitting when frustrated? Do they lack the ability to fully verbally communicate when upset so they lash out physically? This podcast is a must listen and will go in depth on these, and similar, situations and offer solutions on how to go about them. To reach out to Devorah, you can contact her by phone at (650) 561-6013 or by email at Devorah@chabadpaloalto.com.