Cultivating a Compassionate Climate with Secret Kindness Agents Program
Presenter Type
UNO Graduate Student (Masters)
Major/Field of Study
Psychology
Other
School Psychology
Advisor Information
Dr. Lisa Kelly-Vance
Location
CEC RM #201/205/209
Presentation Type
Poster
Poster Size
36x48
Start Date
22-3-2024 9:00 AM
End Date
22-3-2024 10:15 AM
Abstract
With the current, achievement-driven landscape that students and teachers face each day, focus on the whole-child and social-emotional learning has come to the forefront of educators’ minds. With potential benefits such as improved mental health, academic performance, and behavior these curriculums, (Binfet et al., 2016; Datu et al., 2022) including ones that focus on kindness, have the potential to improve school climate. The current study examines the implementation of the Secret Kindness Agents (SKA) project in one K-8, Midwestern school. SKA is a classroom program where students get assigned secret kindness tasks that they complete anonymously and reflect on their experiences together. Data from the Delaware School Climate Survey was collected before and after implementation, and teacher responses found no significant changes in climate, although climate ratings were already very positive in the pre-implementation ratings. Interviews with students and teachers who participated in the project yielded information supporting the hypotheses that kindness programs in schools can improve educator morale and student behaviors and create a more positive climate. Students, in particular, enjoyed participating in this project and learned social skills and how to carry out pro-social behaviors. Implications for the field of school psychology are discussed.
Cultivating a Compassionate Climate with Secret Kindness Agents Program
CEC RM #201/205/209
With the current, achievement-driven landscape that students and teachers face each day, focus on the whole-child and social-emotional learning has come to the forefront of educators’ minds. With potential benefits such as improved mental health, academic performance, and behavior these curriculums, (Binfet et al., 2016; Datu et al., 2022) including ones that focus on kindness, have the potential to improve school climate. The current study examines the implementation of the Secret Kindness Agents (SKA) project in one K-8, Midwestern school. SKA is a classroom program where students get assigned secret kindness tasks that they complete anonymously and reflect on their experiences together. Data from the Delaware School Climate Survey was collected before and after implementation, and teacher responses found no significant changes in climate, although climate ratings were already very positive in the pre-implementation ratings. Interviews with students and teachers who participated in the project yielded information supporting the hypotheses that kindness programs in schools can improve educator morale and student behaviors and create a more positive climate. Students, in particular, enjoyed participating in this project and learned social skills and how to carry out pro-social behaviors. Implications for the field of school psychology are discussed.