Talking with Youth about Ukraine

Photo by Volodymyr Tokar on Unsplash Even in homes where attempts are made to protect them, children are hearing about the war in Ukraine.  Some overhear their parents’ conversations or phone calls, some hear the news on in the next room, and others engage with...
Thoughts on George Floyd

Thoughts on George Floyd

We have been thinking a lot about all of our black friends over the past few days since the George Floyd verdict was announced. All of us a CMI and 5RM have set our hearts on creating programs that increase compassion and decrease racism, bias and so many other...
3 Ways to Cope with Grief & Loss During the Pandemic

3 Ways to Cope with Grief & Loss During the Pandemic

Acknowledging the Pandemic Effect The pandemic effect began for me as I observed what it was doing to schools, school staff, students and families. Working in this field of crisis response, I had lots of opportunity to hear the bitter stories of children orphaned by...
How to Raise Civil Citizens

How to Raise Civil Citizens

We have both an opportunity and a responsibility as educators and parents to do all we can to help raise educated, civil beings who are ready to participate in our democracy.   There’s a direct correlation between a functioning democracy and an educated populace....
Talking with Students About Racism and Protests

Talking with Students About Racism and Protests

We hear you.We acknowledge you.We stand with you. For the past two weeks, we at CMI have been working through the anger, horror and sadness brought across this country by George Floyd’s death. We have come face to face with our own privilege and have struggled...
COVID-19 and The Journey Ahead

COVID-19 and The Journey Ahead

It is going to be a long slog for all of us; young and old, families and classrooms, groups of all sorts and each of us individually.  Anxiety often causes us to draw in, and with the contagion factors of  the pandemic, to self-isolate.  But there is a...