Real Talk. Real Tools. Real Change.

The 5 SEL Systems That I Look For In The First 5 Minutes...

and how they'll Transform Your Classroom—and Your School

There’s a shift happening in education.

Not a buzzword, not a district initiative that fizzles out by November. A real, intentional shift. A movement led by educators who are done doing things the old way—and ready to do what works.

And that shift starts with one person:

One teacher. One administrator. One Speech Pathologist. One Learning Environment Specialist. One leader bold enough to say…

“We can make this easier.

We can support students AND support ourselves.

And we can do it with systems that actually work.”

Let me show you how.

What You’ll Learn Here

After working with thousands of educators, district leaders, and support specialists across the country, I’ve discovered five non-negotiable SEL systems that completely shift the classroom climate—and they don’t require hours of extra work.

You’ll walk away with:

• What to look for in the first five minutes of any classroom

• What your school should already have in place

• How to build a culture of emotional safety, not just compliance

• Videos you can watch right now to see it in action

Let’s start with the very first system…

1. Morning Greetings

   System: Creating Self-Awareness and Connection from the Start

   
   

   Before a pencil is picked up, before the bell rings, we need to see our students as people first. That means greeting them in a way that builds trust, safety, and connection.

   
   

   And listen—some of our students don’t even know what kind of greeting they need. That’s why we teach it. That’s why we model it.

   
   

   Some days I’m ready to dance it out to Taylor Swift. Some days, I just need a quiet hug. Our students are the same. Greeting choice teaches them self-awareness—and it starts the day with intention.

   
   

   My tips for intentional greetings:

   1. Offer visual greeting choices

   2. Get on their level—eye contact, tone, presence

   3. Pause and connect: ask a quick personal question

   4. Say their name and ask how they’re feeling

      
      

2.  Morning Meetings

System: Connection + Communication = Culture Shift

Morning Meetings are your low-lift, high-impact reset button.

They’re where safety gets built. They’re where voice and choice become real. They’re where we start every day with equity and intention.

GRAB MY MORNING MEETING SLIDE DECK HERE

When done with consistency and intention, Morning Meetings reduce behavior issues, increase attendance, and make classrooms feel like safe places to belong.

3.  Mindfulness Moments

System: Be Mindful, Not MindFULL

Big behaviors aren’t random. They’re a signal.

And we don’t punish signals—we respond to them. We frontload with breathing, with quiet moments, with playful mindfulness that teaches regulation instead of just expecting it.

The secret?

You don’t wait for the meltdown. You do this every single day, even when things are going well.

My favorite tips:

1. Practice during transitions

2. Use student leaders to model breathing

3. Let students choose the type of mindful moment

Keep it fun—this isn’t a “fix,” it’s a daily skill

The BISON Mindset is all about running into the storm—not away from it. We teach mindfulness to give kids the tools they need to do that, too.

4.  Classroom Calm Space

System: Creating a Physical Place for Regulation

A Calm Space isn’t just a corner—it’s a lifeline.

It’s where your students can regulate, reflect, and rejoin. It’s not a punishment zone or a place to hide. It’s a pause button—and every classroom needs one.

Here’s how to build one:

• Build it with your students

• Stock it with tools (not toys)

• Teach them how to use each one

• Add timers with velcro so students know when time is up

This space communicates that all feelings are welcome—and that there are safe ways to process them.

5.  Daily Feelings Check-In + Reflection

System: Daily Data for Emotional Intelligence

This system is everything.

When students can name their feelings, choose tools, and reflect on what worked, we start seeing massive growth in their ability to independently regulate.

And it’s just as transformative for teachers. You’ll gain insight into student needs, classroom culture, and what supports are actually working.

My Check-In Checklist:

• Use visuals (Mood Meter, Zones of Regulation, etc.)

• Create a student-designed toolbox of strategies

Reflect together: what helped? What didn’t? What will we try tomorrow?

What Happens Next?

When these five systems are embedded school-wide, the shift is undeniable.

You’ll hear it in the halls. You’ll feel it in your meetings.

You’ll see it in the eyes of your students and the hearts of your teachers.

But here’s the best part…

You don’t have to figure this out alone.

Welcome to Teaching Inside Out—our full support system for transforming schools from the inside out.

We don’t hand you a binder.

We run alongside you, coach your teachers, support your leaders, and build sustainable SEL systems without the fluff.

Watch this 5 minute overview of how we coach entire school districts with intention

Want to Go Bigger?

We’re taking this movement to the main stage at VibeEDU—the ONLY conference where educators, administrators, and parents come together to break the systems that no longer serve us.

This Isn’t Just Another Education Conference. It’s a Movement.

Teachers are tired. Not just of behaviors, burnout, and broken systems — but of being handed another new program, curriculum, or one-and-done PD that promises change and delivers nothing. The solution is always more work, more pivoting, and more pressure — with little to no support.

That’s why VibeEDU was created: to give educators AND parents what they actually need. Real strategies. Real support. Real transformation. On April 28th, tickets open for the boldest education experience of the year — and you’re invited to be part of it.

Ready to experience education like never before? Snag your VIP or General Admission ticket to VibeEDU before they're gone- spaces are limited, and once we sell out, that's it. You won't want to miss what's coming.

VibeEDU is unlike anything else out there. This isn’t a conference where you sit quietly and take notes. This is where educators, administrators, and parents — especially those raising and supporting neurodivergent students — come together to shatter glass ceilings and challenge outdated systems. We’re not just talking about change. We’re building it. The people on this stage aren’t delivering fluff — they’re living the work. They’re the real ones, from around the world, who are leading with courage and reshaping what’s possible in education.

Every detail of VibeEDU is crafted for connection, clarity, and courage. Choose your vibe- VIP for exclusive perks and deeper access, or General Admission to join the movement. Either way, your seat in the revolution is waiting.

At Teaching Inside Out, we believe behavior is communication — and that social and emotional skills should be taught, not expected. Our systems help educators shift their classrooms from chaos to calm without adding “one more thing” to their plates. We don’t do bandaids. We do long-term, sustainable change that starts with the adults and ripples to every student. VibeEDU is an extension of this mission. It’s where we gather the doers — the ones brave enough to try something different, and bold enough to do it together.

Mark your calendar: Tickets drop April 28th.

VibeEDU hits Anaheim, California on August 1st from 5–9 p.m. at The ARTIC — and trust us, this is not your typical PD. If you’ve ever seen footage of The Bloom or one of our teacher retreats, you already know: we don’t do boring. We create full-on experiences. VibeEDU is a total vibe — bold, immersive, completely out-of-the-box. It’s the kind of night that leaves you lit up, connected, and ready to lead with power and purpose.

Space is limited, and this will sell out fast.

So when tickets drop? Don’t wait. Grab your spot, bring your people, and step into the room that’s redefining what’s possible in education.

Don't just read about the change- be part of it. Tickets are moving fast, and once we hit capacity, the doors close. Grab your VIP or General Admission ticket today and step into a space where real talk meets real action.