JONESBORO — Clayton County Public Schools is the first in metro Atlanta to offer the Inner Explorer program to students, teachers, and families through the GreenLight Fund Atlanta Grant.
“Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) is committed to the overall personal health and well-being of its students, employees, and families,” a statement from CCPS read. “In fact, since taking the helm as Superintendent/CEO of Schools, Dr. Anthony W. Smith has emphasized that his first priority is Cultivating a School Safety Culture and Promoting a Positive Working Environment.”
To support the District’s No. 1 priority, the Division of Student Support Services, under the leadership of April C. Crawford, deputy superintendent of Student Support Services, has developed a comprehensive system of wellness supports and resources, to include a platform called Inner Explorer that focuses on mindfulness.
Smith recently joined other panelists at the Inner Explorer Conference to discuss the state of mental wellness among youths. The theme was “Elevating Youth Potential Through Mindful Awareness”.
The panel included thought leaders from the fields of medicine, clinical psychology, higher education, K-12 education, and notable non-profit organizations.
“When I became superintendent of schools for Clayton County, I established five priorities, and my No. 1 priority emphasizes a culture of safety and well-being,” Smith said. “Learning, teaching, and supporting cannot occur at the highest level when individuals do not feel safe or when they are stressed and anxious. I view mindful awareness as a proactive measure to help our students feel safe opening up to their peers or adults when they feel their safety or well-being is at risk.”
Smith also said that most people would agree that social-emotional learning and mindfulness are important skills for…
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