Peoria County Resiliency Project Podcasts
"IB Talking" from Illini Bluffs Students featuring Peoria County School Staff
Students from Illini Bluffs (Josie, Kylie, Will, Megan, and Tori) speak with staff and peers to highlight effective strategies that are being used to support students, and hopefully inspire others that they, too, can make a difference in a student’s life.
Episode 1: Interview with
Robyn Kortemeier,
Dunlap Middle School
Quote: When asked about advice for working with kids, “Definitely listen. Just be there, be available.”
Episode 2: Interview with
Holly Metzger,
Dunlap Valley Middle School
Quote: “Kids are going through a lot these days and I feel like if I can just do something small for them to take their mind off of whatever they are going through in the moment then I feel like that's a win.”
Episode 3: Interview with
Adam Keaschall,
Pleasant Valley Intermediate School
Quote: “We always talk about giving students grace because we never know what it is that they're dealing with outside of school. Just like adults have obstacles outside of school, kids have obstacles outside of school.”
Episode 4: Interview with
Andrea Milton, Illini Bluffs Middle School
Quote: “They just need someone there to guide them and to be that happy face when they come to school every day and that is my goal is to be that for them."
Episode 5: Interview with
Erica West, Illini Bluffs School
Quote: “Once kids know that you're there for them and just showing kindness, they'll open up to you. And once they trust you you'll be so surprised at how much you can help somebody.”
Episode 6: Interview with
Gretchen Tucker, Dunlap Middle School
Quote: “Just knowing that someone knows you, knows your name and is there for you. That's really nice to have at a school.”
Episode 7: Interview with
Joe Williams, Illini Bluffs School
Quote: “Some students just need someone to say, good morning. How's your day going? That's all they need. Maybe things were bad the night before. Or maybe they had an exam, a test that they're stressed out over.”
Episode 8: Interview with
Malisa Rohn, Ridgeview Elementary School
Quote: “Our kids and our parents and our staff, we carry heavy things. We have to recognize that we are carrying something very heavy and they're not able to Maybe communicate in the most pleasant way and that's okay.”
Episode 9: Interview
with Crystal Strauss, Princeville
Quote: “Schools should be, the safest place they are because some kids don't have that at home.”
Episode 10: Interview with
Charlett Smith, Mossville School
Quote: “Seeing the difference you can make in a child's life is incredible. You can do the smallest thing, and it can completely change their outlook on their entire day.”
Episode 11: Interview with
Jamie Rosete, Dunlap Middle School
Quote: “It's so important for these kids to be comfortable, to feel safe, and to be safe to be who they are as well.”
Episode 12: Interview with
Beth Koehler, Hickory Grove Elementary
Quote: “Sometimes the little ones are scared or they're stressed about forgetting something or whatever it might be and so just treating them like I would have wanted somebody to help my little guys when they were there.”
Resources
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are defined as instances of abuse, neglect, and/or household challenges such as domestic violence or substance abuse, occurring before age 18.
ACEs are very common, but not often openly discussed. Students may look or seem fine, but behind the scenes, the biological effects of the incident continue to cause harm in the form of toxic stress, literally changing the brain and potentially leading to difficulty following directions, engaging in class, managing emotions, and overall impacting a child’s ability to learn.
However, these potential negative effects can be interrupted using SEL and resiliency building strategies deployed in the school setting—by anyone!
You may also want to view these resources: