Inclusive Student Center in Middle School

In the second episode of the Safe, Welcoming, and Inclusive Schools season, Leonne talks with Kelsey Hibbert, Dean of Students at Linus Pauling Middle School in Corvallis and former middle school teacher. At Linus Pauling, Hibbert runs the Student Center, a place for students who need to reset and regulate, report safety issues or difficulties, or talk through peer-to-peer issues. At the Student Center, staff take a collaborative problem solving approach to discern what each student needs. For example, they might need someone to talk to, something to fidget with, a quiet place to do their work, an opportunity to put their head down and rest, etc. With parameters, these are just some of the options offered to students at the Student Center. Hibbert explains that the goal is for students to know they have a place to get their needs met when classroom support isn’t enough. Part of the success of the Center is collaboration with counselors, mental health specialists, classroom teachers, and other staff at the school. The center is also a space for student clubs to help build a sense of belonging. Leonne and Kelsey discuss the changes they’ve seen since Covid and the need for trauma-informed practices such as “connect before correct”. They also emphasize the need to reflect on what’s working and what’s not working. In the end, the Center staff strive for students to feel like they've had a successful day. Not surprisingly, Hibbert was a 2022 recipient of a Corvallis Public Schools Foundation Golden Apple award.

 

Resources:

OEA’s Becoming a Trauma Informed Educator Series

Collaborative Problem Solving Overview (5 minute video) - Think Kids

2022 Golden Apple Recipient: Kelsey Hibbert - Corvallis Public Schools Foundation