Empowered by the Human Design: Utilizing the Bbars of Excellence Framework to Foster Student and Educator Success - by Katie Pagnotta (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Youth mental health challenges are on the rise. The educator attrition rate is leaving schools scrambling to fill positions. And everyone is on information overload. As a school counselor, Katie Pagnotta saw these statistics in action and was compelled to create a resource that would synthesize best practices in a way that not only eased the role of the educators but ignited joy within the job. And in doing so, educators would be more aptly positioned to support the needs of all students! Empowered by the Human Design is the culmination of Katie's passion, experience, and research. It takes historically fragmented best-practice initiatives such as social emotional learning, trauma-responsive care, mental health literacy, and equity and integrates them into one framework, Brain- and Body- Aligned Responsive Systems (BBARS) of Excellence. The BBARS of Excellence framework is grounded in evidence-based approaches and strategies within the fields of education, psychology, and neuroscience. Gathering 18 professionals from these respective fields, the author expertly weaves their interviews throughout the book to showcase a tapestry of collective wisdom. Empowered by the Human Design masterfully highlights the research and science behind the framework and then turns the concepts into simple and practical application strategies that educators can implement immediately. This book is an educator survival guide to emerge from challenges as a more resilient, joyful teacher who fosters connection, belonging, and engagement for students.

Review Quotes

Empowered by the Human Design is not just a book; it's a call to action, an invitation to revolutionize education. Join the movement towards a compassionate and effective approach to teaching and learning. Katie Pagnotta skillfully combines research-backed methodologies, best practices, and guidance from experts in the field of education and neuroscience to scaffold a learning climate based on understanding the human experience in education. Your journey towards unlocking students' potential begins here.--Leah Kuypers, MA, Ed., OTR/L, Founder and Creator of The Zones of Regulation, Inc.

Empowered by the Human Design: Utilizing the Brain- and Body-Aligned Responsive Systems (BBARS) of Excellence Framework to Foster Student and Educator Success should be a required reading for all educators. Katie Pagnotta presents a comprehensive framework for helping children be the best they can become and offers many empirically-based interventions for teachers. A gift to the field!--Dr. Steve Baron, Psy. D, author of Teaching with a Strength-Based Approach: How To Motivate Students

Early on in this highly informative book the author points out that student misbehavior is a message, a call for help. She then masterfully decodes the mystery of misbehavior in a thoroughly illuminating manner, using cutting-edge science and years of experience guiding students with challenging behaviors. The book continues with a plethora of valuable insights that help teachers and others develop interventions that help students, as well as teachers, tap their inner strengths to mitigate problem behavior and experience enhanced functioning. This remarkable book should be required reading for all teachers and support personnel. It's a game-changer!--Charles Appelstein, MSW, Training Specialist and Author of No Such Thing as a Bad Kid -Understanding

In Empowered by the Human Design, Katie Pagnotta highlights the importance and power of a teacher's work and provides comprehensible examples and real-life analogies to help the reader make sense of the information and understand its impact. This book provides educators with clear, coherent insight with practical strategies, tips, and tools to support all students' functional success.--Lucy Canotas, Director of Elementary Education, Timberlane Regional School District; NHASCD Presiden

Katie Pagnotta offers a powerful and practical new model for regulation and resilience in our work.--Dr. Chris Willard, Harvard Medical School Faculty, author, psychologist and consultant

Thoroughly researched and well written, Empowered by the Human Design will help any educator ready to nurture the "thinking brain" inside each student. With clear explanations and examples throughout, Pagnotta shares thoughtful solutions to everyday issues. Plus, the Tactical Tips and Tools frequent graphics, and student stories will support readers' ability to bring the learning into the classroom. Five stars--Jessica Sinarski, BraveBrains founder and author of Your Amazing Brain

About the Author

Through her various roles, school counselor, mental health therapist, and educational coach, Katie Pagnotta has worked professionally with school-aged humans and their families and educators since 2007. Katie integrates her own experience, empathy, and insights with the collective wisdom within the fields of psychology, education, and neuroscience to facilitate growth of the individuals, teams, and schools with whom she works. Katie is passionate about helping educators and school systems utilize evidence- and strengths- based approaches and strategies, become empowered by the human design, and enhance learning through the integration of wellness and joy.