As Troy Brown walks the hallways of Founder’s Hall Middle School, he stops to talk to every student passing by, greeting them and asking them how they’re doing. For Brown, every interaction — no matter how small— matters quite a bit. As the leader of the McKeesport Area School District’s YESS (Youth Engagement Support Services) […]

When Shannon Keating was a student, school was her safe space. Ms. Keating remembers a number of adults who helped uplift her, and propel her forward, even in some rough times.  In her role as the Duquesne City School District’s Behavior Support and Intervention Specialist, Ms. Keating hopes to be the same positive influence that

On January 17, the AIU and Project SEEKS SES held its sixth virtual community of practice meeting. The meeting revolved around the Cornell School District’s wellness spaces, and additional mental health support it was able to add through Project SEEKS SES support. Each community of practice meeting focuses on a shared topic of interest between school

The 3Rs (Reading, Racial Equity, and Relationships) Initiative is an ecosystem-based program that aims to improve early literacy outcomes for kindergarten-third grade students in Allegheny County by working with families, classroom teachers, community organizations, and local leaders. A foundational tenet of the 3Rs is that high-quality literacy experiences are inextricably linked to living in an equitable

On December 20, the AIU and Project SEEKS SES held its fifth virtual community of practice meeting. The meeting revolved around the Handle with Care and TEAR (Trauma Education and Response) programs. Each community of practice meeting focuses on a shared topic of interest between school district, higher education and community partners. Each meeting is led by the

On November 15, the AIU and Project SEEKS SES held its fourth virtual community of practice meeting. The meeting revolved around wellness methods and wellness kits. Each community of practice meeting focuses on a shared topic of interest between school district, higher education and community partners. Each meeting is led by the Project SEEKS SES

Shannon Wanless remembers a sign in her grandmother’s kitchen that said, ‘if mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy.’ When discussing the impetus behind the University of Pittsburgh’s social–emotional learning (SEL) communities of practices, Wanless pointed to that aphorism. “I think that’s the whole message,” said Wanless, the director of the Office of Child Development at