Overcoming the Poverty Mindset & Teaching Optimism

How Educators Can Use Brain Research & Current Best Practices to Promote Positive Relationships & Prevent Bullying, Cyberbullying & Relational Aggression.

Do You Know Students Who Have...

  • Resistance or refusal to participate in normal school activities?
  • Persistent moodiness
  • Chosen social isolation?
  • Sudden declines in school performance?
  • Constant worries or anxieties?
  • Extreme involvement with social media and/or digital games?
  • Depression, sadness or irritability?
  • Self-destructive behaviors
  • Symptoms of substance abuse?
  • Indifference to others’ feelings?

Overview

Schools serving low-income, marginalized communities tend to face similar and pervasive issues resulting from poverty. And, with the high levels of anxiety, fear and isolation that the pandemic has fostered, students in these communities are especially vulnerable. Yet, research has shown that the “Poverty Mindset” may be more to blame than actual economic conditions in these communities. Some people in low-income, minority homes are thriving in the current situation. The difference is that they demonstrate resilience, positivity and productivity. The Poverty Mindset makes it almost impossible for students to develop these critical Social-Emotional skills.

 This on-site training session will clarify misconceptions about poverty. You will discover what the Poverty Mindset is, why it exists and how it covertly impacts our students and our schools. Explore how optimism can change this pervasive mindset. Learn why optimism is critical to resilience and how to teach it. See how changing the Poverty Mindset and teaching optimism can change school climate and create equity.

 

Learning Objectives

  • Understand misconceptions about race, class and culture
  • See key components of the Poverty Mindset in student attitudes and behaviors
  • Recognize underlying causes of negative beliefs and underachievement
  • Discover techniques for teaching resilience, coping and thriving skills by fostering optimism
  • Gain empowering strategies for addressing traumatic experiences and bridging the equity gap.

See What Attendees Have to Say

"The information was great and completely applies to me as a School Counselor. Understanding how the male and female brains work, including hormonal differences, will make a huge difference for me!"
School Counselor
Seattle, WA
"I can use everything I learned today instantly in the classroom. It was very interesting to learn about the differences of the male and female brain."
High School Teacher
Sacramento, CA
"The presenter was so engaging and informative. There are so many practical takeaways that I can immediately use in the classroom."
Middle School Teacher
Atlanta, GA
"The presenter's insights about social media were spot on. The brain research on differences between male and female brains was very helpful."
High School Counselor
New Orleans, LA

FAQ

Seminar Information

Click On Each City for Event Time, Location & Registration Information

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8:00-8:30Registration
8:30-10:00

How Nature and Nurture Influence Girl Drama, Relational Aggression & Bullying

  • Research Implications from Brain Research
  • Gender Identity, Socialization and Parenting
  • Current Trends & Practices to Promote Self-Awareness and Support Healthy Identity Development
10:00-10:15Break
10:15-11:00

The Impact of Social Networking & Technology on RA

  • Current Social Media Sites and Implications
  • Social Media Case Studies and Interventions
11:00-12:00

Prevention Strategies for Schools

  • How a Trauma-informed Approach Can Prevent RA Behaviors in Schools
  • Trauma-informed Supports for Victims and Perpetrators of RA
  • Wellness Wheel: 5 Dimensions of Wellness
12:00-1:00Lunch (On Your Own)
1:00-2:30

RA and Mental Health

  • Common Mental Health Diagnoses Associated with RA
  • Identify Connections and Risk Factors between RA and Girls’ Mental Health
  • Internalizing vs. Externalizing Disorders: Depression and Anxiety
  • Self-Injury and Suicide Ideation
2:30-2:45Break
2:45-3:45

Individual & Group Strategies to Address RA

  • Mindfulness and Resiliency Activities
  • Next Steps to Success: Initiating Your Action Plan
3:45-4:15Networking Group Discussion
(Optional Attendance)

– Classroom Teachers
– Principals
– Special Education Personnel
– School Counselors & Psychologists
– Other Administrators
– Social Workers (all levels)
– Law Enforcement/SRO
– Counselors & Therapists in Agencies & Private Practice
– Media Specialists

 
Individual Registration
Groups 3-9
Groups 10+
Early Registration
$149 USD
$124 USD
$109 USD
Advanced Registration
$169 USD
$144 USD
$129 USD
Regular Registration
$189 USD
$164 USD
$149 USD
 
 
Your registration fee includes refreshments and materials. It does not include meals, hotel accommodations or parking.
 
Register 30 days prior to Seminar date and save! Groups of 20+, call 1-800-251-6805 for special pricing
GROUP DISCOUNTS
When 3 or more people register together from the same school district or agency, each participant is entitled to a $25 USD discount off their registration fee. To receive this discount, all participants in the group must register at the same time and have a single group representative as the contact person.
 
CANCELLATION POLICY
All cancellations incur a $20 administrative fee andmust be received in writing or electronically seven days prior to seminar. No refunds will be issued on cancellations received after that date. Substitutions are welcome at any time. Developmental Resources, Inc. reserves the right to cancel any seminar in the event of insufficient registration, in which case a full refund will be returned. If for any reason the seminar is not held, Developmental Resources’ liability is limited to a refund of the registration fee paid. If you miss the cancellation deadline, and are unable to either attend the training or send a substitute, we will issue a voucher that is valid for two years. It is transferrable to a colleague and may be applied toward any of our professional development events.
“The information was great and completely applies to me as a School Counselor. Understanding how the male and female brains work, including hormonal differences, will make a huge difference for me!”
School Counselor
Seattle, WA
 
“I can use everything I learned today instantly in the classroom. It was very interesting to learn about the differences of the male and female brain.”
High School Teacher
Sacramento, CA
 
“The presenter was so engaging and informative. There are so many practical takeaways that I can immediately use in the classroom.”
Middle School Teacher
Atlanta, GA
 
 
“The presenter’s insights about social media were spot on. The brain research on differences between male and female brains was very helpful.”
High School Counselor
New Orleans, LA
 

Certificates of Completion for this seminar, which indicate 6 contact hours of Continuing Education, will be available at the end of the seminar upon completion of a course evaluation. In many cases, depending on your Profession and Jurisdiction, this Certificate of Completion is sufficient for tracking your Continuing Education and Professional Development efforts. We suggest that you contact your local Board or Governing Agency to see exactly what steps are necessary for approval in your particular discipline. Please note that Developmental Resources is also an approved Provider for the following National and Regional Accrediting Agencies.

Developmental Resources has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5602. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.

Presenter

Hotep Benzo, MBA

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Hotep Benzo, MBA

*In case of an emergency, another qualified presenter will substitute

Education success strategist and award-winning author Hotep Benzo, MBA is widely known for his proactive, “tough-love” approach to education. As a 15-year master teacher, he developed a reputation for requesting the most troubled students and transforming them into willing participants in their own education. He is the founder of Hustle University and creator of the MAKE A WAY program, a series of high-relevancy curricula used in more than 1000 schools throughout the United States. His work has earned him nominations for the Presidential Citizens Medal and as a CNN Hero. Hotep is also creator of the Outcome Progression Model, which he uses to help schools transform a culture of poverty, excuse-making and helplessness into one of empowerment, resiliency and success.

Questions? Let us know!

Other On-Site Training Options

Critical Mental Health Challenges in Schools    

Defiant, Manipulative & Attention Seeking Students

Girl Drama 

Lost Boys

Self-Regulation

Wired Differently