Coach's
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I am so excited to start the new school year as the new Early Childhood Education Coach for Childcare Resources of Indian River! I wanted to take the time to introduce myself before we get started. My name is Amanda Gooch and I am an Educator with 14 years of teaching experience. In addition my bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology. I also hold a master’s degree in Teaching from the University of South Florida. I hold my Florida Childcare Professional Credential Certificate and my Educator Certificate from the State of Florida Department of Education.

 For those of you that joined us, I hope you all had an incredible day of Conscious Discipline training with Mandy Lloyd this past Saturday. You should have all left feeling ready to start the school year strong. 

For those of you that weren't able to join us, our training focused on the School Family. With creating a School Family we are building connections through a culture of compassion. We create a positive school climate by eliminating reward and punishment in favor of the safety, connection and problem-solving of a School Family. 

One of my favorite parts of the training was the implementation of the Safe-Keeper Ritual. Our goal was for children to consciously place their “figures” in the Safe-Keeper container while making a commitment to help keep the classroom a safe place to learn and play. 

 As your Early Childhood Education Coach I am here to help you start strong with creating a School Family. One of the many benefits of creating a School Family incorporates the motivation to behave from the quality of the relationship. Connection wires the brain for impulse control and willingness. Attempting to disciple without willingness is a chronic power struggle. 

What are our ingredients for connection?

• eye contact

• touch

• presence

• playfulness. 

How do we achieve this connection for Creating a School Family?

• Face to Face interactions

• I love you rituals

• Greetings or good byes 

• Wish you well rituals 

• Friends and Family Board 

I look forward to following up with each of you who have attended our most recent Conscious Discipline training. Our follow up technical assistance will focus on implementing a Friends and Family Board. I look forward to getting to know each of you as we create a School Family.

Wishing you the best,

Amanda Gooch