wins for our students, our schools, families, community!
We are a team of thinkers, creators, doers, collaborators, and connectors. Learn about our meaningful outcomes and experiences with our school stakeholders - students, teachers, administrators, families, & support staff.
Centering Kids: Advice from the experts at Florida Center
Podcast: Lean On Me Helps "Heal" the Education System
In this episode, host Kristen Theisen, of The Florida Center, interviews Amy Weinberger, founder of the Lean On Me Project, a non-profit organization that focuses on 'healing' education by providing students and educators with tools that bridge education and mental health.
From Survive to Thrive!
The Sleep Initiative - A Weighty Gift
The Sleep Initiative - A Weighty Gift
The Sleep Initiative - A Weighty Gift
In a recent surveys at elementary and middle schools, teachers, staff, and administrators shared their sleep habits. Some indicated that anxiety keeps them awake or their sleep is limited. In some cases, they struggle to fall asleep and then wake up exhausted. So, for those who participated in the survey, they were gifted a weighted blanket to try. The feedback has been amazing. Becky Hoffman @ Tatum Ridge writes, "I personally want to THANK YOU SO MUCH for the weighted blanket! I was skeptical about them, so I never purchased one for myself. It is the best gift I have received in a long time. I have slept so much more soundly over the last couple of weeks since using it. It's amazing what a good night's sleep can accomplish."
Welcome Aboard the MentorSHIP
The Sleep Initiative - A Weighty Gift
The Sleep Initiative - A Weighty Gift
A total of 40 5th graders at Tatum Ridge Elementary have trained to become peer mentors since 2020. Our LOM ambassador, Kevin Fester and LOM co-founder, Jordan Stonecypher connect with the students in the classroom and on zoom to learn and practice student mentoring skills. Students are selected based on compassion and kindness to join the mentor training program at the beginning of each school year. When training is completed, the 5th graders are matched with a students who can benefit from an extra friend. It is like a big sister/brother theme.
We believe that when we offer student leadership opportunities, then we help foster Great Human Beings!
Student Cafés Help Students Thrive
The Sleep Initiative - A Weighty Gift
It's About Access During the School Day!
Brookside and McIntosh Middle Schools offer the Student Cafés to students who are recommended by the school teams to help students navigate friendships, build better relationships between teachers and families, understand non-verbal communication, identify emotions, and respond instead of react to situations. In addition, students engage in conversations about body image, nutrition, expectations regarding social situations, facts about mental health, and what to know about a GPA (grade point average), how to transition between grades, and how to trust themselves to make choices that make sense.
This is a crossover initiative between NAMI and the LOM Team which means that we have enthusiastic mental health experts and coaches to help guide students.
It's About Access During the School Day!
It's About Access During the School Day!
It's About Access During the School Day!
Since the Drop-In SAP Program with First Step of Sarasota began in 2019, 100 Students have been paired with mentors/coaches for mental health support @ Brookside Middle School. School counselors help bridge the gap between emotional well-being and academic success via direct referrals. Making a difference makes a difference!
1-1 Tutoring in the Middle Schools
It's About Access During the School Day!
1-1 Tutoring in the Middle Schools
Tutorials at Woodland and Brookside Middle Schools mean that our co-founder, Amy F. Weinberger, gets to connect with amazing students who want to improve grades or maybe need some extra motivation or instruction in a subject. We let students drive the conversation and tell us what they need, and they we get it done. We have tutored 50 1-1 students since 2019.
Oh the pride students have
when they know they CAN!
Pay It Forward Lunch Initiatives
It's About Access During the School Day!
1-1 Tutoring in the Middle Schools
10 public schools have been showered with care, kindness and yummy lunches during August 2020 for the front end and custodial staffs and administrators. Because of the forward thinking of Assistant Principal, Sara Knouse from Tatum Ridge Elementary, we have been able to let our school teams know that they are appreciated and to thank them for their hard work during this strange time. Thank you for all you do.
Food Truck Lunches
HeadShot Initiative at Tatum Ridge Elementary, Brookside & Sarasota Middle Schools
HeadShot Initiative at Tatum Ridge Elementary, Brookside & Sarasota Middle Schools
Good food usually means good conversation and a moment to pause in a busy day. The LOM team enjoys surprising school teams with different food trucks throughout the year. We are pleased to collaborate with Miss Susie's Food Truck, The Lemon Bay Food Truck, and The Crazy Cow on Wheels Food Truck.
We Believe Good Food Makes for an Enjoyable Day!
HeadShot Initiative at Tatum Ridge Elementary, Brookside & Sarasota Middle Schools
HeadShot Initiative at Tatum Ridge Elementary, Brookside & Sarasota Middle Schools
HeadShot Initiative at Tatum Ridge Elementary, Brookside & Sarasota Middle Schools
100+ Teachers and School Personnel have participated in the HeadShot Initiative throughout the county. "I received the BEST feedback ever!" - Sara Knouse, Assistant Principal
Teachers had the opportunity to pick out an Embracing Our Differences Poster for their classroom once they finished their HeadShots. Really Fun and Supportive and candles from a local donor.
Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for the Community
HeadShot Initiative at Tatum Ridge Elementary, Brookside & Sarasota Middle Schools
National Book Circle - Healing the Wounded Educator & Finding Happiness
More than 100 neighbors, colleagues, and parents have attended & engaged in the difference between a non-crisis and a crisis event, what to do, and how to respond instead of react. Together, we can be better and do better for our youth. The training is a community outreach program for school personnel and anyone who works with youth. Contact the The Lean on Me Team to schedule your training for your staff.
National Book Circle - Healing the Wounded Educator & Finding Happiness
National Book Circle - Healing the Wounded Educator & Finding Happiness
National Book Circle - Healing the Wounded Educator & Finding Happiness
30 Administrators, Teachers, School Counselors and Support Staff joined together for a 5-week book circle that engaged in conversation about Healing the Wounded Educator by Joe and Dardi Hendershott. Topics included secondary or vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, a vision for change, self-care and creating open doors for safe conversations. Books were mailed to participants. 25 Educators from Brookside Middle School challenged themselves with The Happiness Advantage that has lead to campus beautification and more connection.
We Believe that When We Heal Ourselves,
We Heal Our Classrooms.
Virtual Mentoring for Sarasota Military Academy (Middle & High Schools)
National Book Circle - Healing the Wounded Educator & Finding Happiness
Virtual Mentoring for Sarasota Military Academy (Middle & High Schools)
15 Students Paired with Mentors in response to COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Mandate (April -June 2020) & 28 Students paired with Mentors to assist with graduation credits. (August 2020-May 2021). In collaboration with NAMI & COMPEER.
Mission accomplished!
