Mental Health Speaker Inspires Educators at Sullivan BOCES Professional Development Event

[LIBERTY, NY] Sullivan 180 and Sullivan BOCES partnered to host a powerful professional development event focused on building healthier, kinder school communities. The training, titled “Owning Your Four Walls: How Everyday Actions Can Shift School Culture,” brought together school staff from across Sullivan County, including teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators, at the Sullivan BOCES Rubin Pollack Education Center.

The session was led by nationally recognized speaker Brian Williams, founder of Think Kindness, a nonprofit organization that has inspired more than 1.5 million acts of kindness in schools worldwide. Through engaging storytelling, humor, and action-based challenges, Williams encouraged participants to reflect on the small, daily actions that shape school culture and student well-being. “This is one of the most impactful professional development trainings I have ever been to.” Said a Fallsburg school social worker.

Participants learned science-backed strategies to promote kindness and respect, identified simple daily practices to foster inclusive and connected spaces, and developed practical ways to take immediate action within their own classrooms and school environments.

“This training reminded us that making a difference doesn’t have to be complicated.” Mylene Ortiz, Youth Mental Health Program Manager at Sullivan 180 “Small everyday choices are key, how we choose to handle tough moments and how we show kindness can make a change in our schools.”

Sullivan 180 supports schools through Hope Squad, a peer-to-peer suicide prevention program that fosters connection while breaking down the stigma of mental health; and SHAPE which brings staff together to strengthen school culture and enhance the quality of their school mental health system.

To learn more about Hope Squad and SHAPE, email Mylene@sullivan180.org.