Ashley Medlin

10 ways to make your school/classroom more aligned to “Maslow Before Bloom Then Gardner, Jung & Goleman”: 1. Create a Safe and Predictable Environment (Maslow) Why it matters: Students can’t thrive academically if they don’t feel physically and emotionally safe. How to implement: •Set clear, consistent routines and expectations. •Use calm, regulated adult behavior to de-escalate situations. •Avoid yelling or public shaming. •Establish safe spaces or calming corners in classrooms. ⸻ 2. Foster Strong Relationships and Belonging (Maslow & Goleman) Why it matters: Connection is a foundation for trust, motivation, and learning. How to implement: •Greet students by name and check in daily. •Use restorative circles or class meetings. •Encourage cooperative learning and peer mentoring. •Notice when students are isolated and help bridge connections. ⸻ 3. Recognize and Support Individual Strengths (Gardner) Why it matters: Every student learns and shows intelligence differently. How to implement: •Offer choices in how students show mastery (e.g., art, music, movement, technology). •Use interest inventories and learning style surveys. •Highlight and celebrate “non-academic” intelligences (musical, kinesthetic, interpersonal, etc.). ⸻ 4. Help Students Understand Themselves (Jung) Why it matters: Self-awareness fuels self-direction, purpose, and confidence. How to implement: •Use journals, reflections, or identity-based projects. •Discuss values, personality traits, and inner motivations. •Encourage students to explore who they are beyond grades. ⸻ 5. Teach Emotional Intelligence (Goleman) Why it matters: Emotional regulation, empathy, and social awareness are essential life skills. How to implement: •Embed SEL (social-emotional learning) into daily routines. •Use “name it to tame it” strategies to help students label emotions. •Model emotional vocabulary and healthy expression. ⸻ 6. Prioritize Student Voice and Choice Why it matters: Autonomy boosts engagement, confidence, and motivation. How to implement: •Let students co-create classroom norms. •Give options for assignments and projects. •Allow space for student-led discussions and decisions. ⸻ 7. Address Trauma and Emotional Dysregulation with Compassion Why it matters: Students often communicate their needs through behavior. How to implement: •View misbehavior as a signal, not a personal attack. •Use logical and natural consequences instead of punitive ones. •Incorporate trauma-informed training and practices for staff. ⸻ 8. Celebrate Small Wins and Growth (Maslow & Goleman) Why it matters: Motivation grows when progress is noticed and effort is affirmed. How to implement: •Recognize effort, improvement, and acts of kindness. •Use growth mindset language. •Celebrate “character wins” as much as academic achievements. ⸻ 9. Integrate Purpose, Meaning, and Reflection (Jung & Gardner) Why it matters: Students want to know why learning matters and how it connects to their lives. How to implement: •Tie lessons to real-world problems or community needs. •Encourage students to reflect on how learning connects to who they are or want to become. •Incorporate service learning, passion projects, or legacy assignments. ⸻ 10. Support Staff Wellness and Modeling Why it matters: A dysregulated adult cannot regulate a dysregulated child. How to implement: •Prioritize adult SEL, wellness time, and reflection. •Model vulnerability, balance, and boundaries. •Encourage staff to also explore their strengths, triggers, and values. Join the discussion at the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group: Facebook.com/groups/maslowbe….