Books
Through Essie's publications, you will journey through strengths-based research, insights, and strategies to maximize potential and performance critical to individual's growth and development. The content highlights the potential for change to lead to better outcomes and a more positive future.
Caring & Engaging Schools
The book outlines the major stumbling blocks of schooling as portrayed from the perspective of disadvantaged high school youth, who suffer three major losses and deficits, as a result of their struggles: loss of hope for the future, disengagement from schooling, and impaired socioemotional well-being. Their struggles are also described in the context of impaired or neglected relationships among the school, family, and community. A "Caring & Engaging Schools" framework, advocating for strengths-based, whole child public high schools is presented as a viable solution to benefit not only youth in poverty but also youth of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
Caring & Engaging Schools Professional Development Guide
The Professional Development Guide is an invaluable companion to the book Caring & Engaging Schools. It contains learner-centered professional development designed to deepen educators' understanding and application of the information in the book. The guide comprises engaging exercises and thought-provoking questions, organized around individual reflection and purposeful collaborative problem-solving activities that empower high school educators with the tools to improve student learning and engagement.
Strengths-Based Teaching-Learning
Strengths-Based Teaching-Learning offers strategies to integrate a strengths lens to teaching and learning. This universal intervention maps out a transformative approach to support educators in helping students develop strengths that empower them to be active agents in improving their own learning. This informative guide will assist educators in adopting a restorative approach to promote positive academic and socioemotional outcomes for youth, ultimately contributing to equitable education.