Nurturing Regulation: A Pathway to Resilience in Schools

Educators are on the front lines of student well-being, balancing academic demands while managing the stress that arises in classrooms. As professionals who support teachers, we have an opportunity to help them navigate this stress—not by eliminating it, but by integrating tools for self-regulation that benefit both educators and students.

Lisa Dion’s concept of “One Foot In, One Foot Out” (from the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute) offers a practical framework for managing stress in real time. Think of it like carrying rocks: every stressor adds a rock to your load, making it harder to function effectively.

By intentionally pausing to regulate—taking a breath, shifting posture, or engaging in a quick sensory reset—you can set down a rock before picking up the next one. These small moments of regulation help prevent burnout and create a more stable learning environment.

When we support school staff in becoming external regulators for students—offering co-regulation in the classroom—each moment of regulation reinforces a powerful message to students’ brains: “I can navigate this.” Over time, this consistent support rewires their nervous systems, strengthening their ability to manage stress and engage in learning.

Key Insights

When educators integrate regulation practices, they create a lasting impact:

  • Prevent Educator Burnout: Small, intentional regulation practices reduce the accumulation of stress, helping educators sustain their capacity to support students.
  • Offer Co-Regulation in Classrooms: Educators’ regulation directly influences student behavior and emotional stability, making learning more accessible.
  • Support Nervous System Development: Every moment of co-regulation strengthens students’ self-awareness and ability to manage big emotions.

Practical Takeaways

Here’s how you can model regulation for educators, empowering them to support their students:

  • Tune into Your Own Cues: Be mindful of your own body’s responses to stress, noticing when you feel tense or overwhelmed.
  • Model Regulation: Practice regulation strategies throughout the day — taking a breath, stretching, or moving — your regulation impacts others.
  • Facilitate Reflection: When we name an experience or physical sensation we are having, it forces a moment of self-reflection for others, helping them become aware of their own experience.
  • Co-Regulate in Real-Time: Practice co-regulation by guiding educators through moments of stress, helping them feel grounded so they can, in turn, do the same for their students.

As you continue your journey in supporting educators and students through regulation and growth, remember that small shifts can lead to lasting change. You’re not alone in this work—we’re here to support, encourage, and grow alongside you.

Thank you for being a part of this amazing community. We can’t wait to hear how these insights and strategies make a difference for you and the educators you support. 

In partnership and care, 

💛 Judy & Team SEI

In Case You Missed It: 5-Part Video Series

Looking for additional resources to support educators in fostering regulation? The Empowering Educators and Students: Strategies for Navigating the Realities and Thriving in Today’s Schools video series provides practical insights on integrating regulation into classroom environments.

Watch the full series (bundle & save) or select the sessions most relevant to your team:

1️⃣ The Neurobiology of Preparing Brains and Bodies to Learn
2️⃣ Creating a Felt Sense of Safety and Belonging in Schools
3️⃣ The Classroom as a Nervous System: Understanding Daily Regulation Cycles
4️⃣ The Process of Developing Self-Regulation: Identifying Missing Pieces
5️⃣ Brain-Aligned Strategies for Rewiring and Repatterning Nervous Systems

Each session provides actionable strategies to help educators and students navigate regulation effectively. Explore the series here.

Thank you for your work in supporting educators and students!