Resilient Kids, Thriving Classrooms

In this special episode of Resilient Kids, Thriving Classrooms, Davina Lyons shares what it means to receive the 2025 Teacher Leader Impact Award—and why this honor is about so much more than personal achievement. Davina opens up about the realities of leadership in education, the unseen moments that matter most, and how her RISE Framework (Reflect, Identify, Stand, Emerge) came to life in the teaching trenches.If you're a teacher, parent, or school leader looking for real talk, inspiration, and a reminder that your work has an impact, this episode is for you.🧠 What You’ll Learn:What real teacher leadership looks likeHow the RISE Framework can transform your leadership journeyThe importance of collaboration in creating thriving classroomsWhy every educator and parent is part of a larger movement for change📩 Join the conversation:Tag @Rising.Resilience1 on Instagram and share how YOU are making an impact—we may feature your story in a future episode!🔔 Subscribe now never to miss an episode, and let’s keep rising—together. 💛

Resilience Rituals for Home and ClassroomEpisode 5January 28, 2025Episode OverviewIn this episode of Resilient Kids: Thriving at Home and in the Classroom, we dive into resilience rituals—the simple, daily habits that help kids build emotional strength, develop self-confidence, and thrive in every area of life. Whether a parent, teacher, or caregiver, you’ll find practical ideas to create routines that foster stability and growth.Rituals don’t have to be big or complicated; they are small, consistent actions that create lasting impact. From morning affirmations to weekly reflection circles, this episode is packed with strategies you can implement today.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why rituals are critical for resilienceResilience rituals for the homeResilience rituals for the classroomHow to create rituals that stickConnect with Us:💡 Have a question or topic you'd like us to cover? Reach out at www.risingresilience.org📲 Follow us on social media for more updates and inspiration:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rising.resilience1/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1145106943678338LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davinalyons/Action Steps:💬 Leave us a review on Spotify or whatever platform you listen on! Your feedback helps us grow and reach more listeners.🗣️ Share this episode with a friend or colleague who would love to learn more about resilience rituals.🌟 Download our free resource: https://risingresilience.org/resilience-tips-for-parentsThank You for Listening!Thank you for being part of the Resilient Kids, Thriving Classrooms community. Together, we can help kids and classrooms thrive through the power of resilience! 💛

Welcome to Resilient Kids, Thriving at Home and in the Classroom!In this episode, host Davina Lyons dives into the often overlooked but critical skill of listening—not just hearing words but genuinely connecting. This episode is for you if you're a parent, teacher, or anyone aiming to improve relationships with children and teens.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeThe Role of Listening in Communication:Why listening is foundational for meaningful relationships.How listening fosters trust and respect in kids and teens.Barriers to Effective Listening:Common distractions that prevent us from truly hearing.Why do we often listen to respond rather than understand?Practical Tips for Better Listening:How to create a space where kids feel heard.Active listening techniques are to be practiced at home or in the classroom.Real-Life Scenarios:Examples of how listening can de-escalate conflicts.Stories of transformation when kids feel genuinely understood.Key TakeawaysListening to connect is more than silence; it’s about engagement, empathy, and intention.Kids thrive in environments where they feel safe to express themselves without judgment.Practicing active listening strengthens bonds and builds resilience in both kids and adults.Quick WinsThe 5-Second Pause Rule: Wait 5 seconds before responding to a child’s statement to ensure they’ve finished their thought.Paraphrase and Validate: Repeat back what they’ve said in your own words to show understanding.Body Language Counts: Maintain eye contact, nod, and lean in to show you’re present.Next StepsSubscribe to Resilient Kids, Thriving at Home, and in the Classroom on your favorite podcast platform!Leave a Review: Your feedback helps us reach more parents and educators like you.Join the Conversation: Follow us on social media @RisingResilience for daily inspiration.🙌 Let’s Stay Connected!✨ Host: Davina Lyons📧 Email: info@davinalyons.com📱 IG: @Rising.Resilience1Thank you for listening! Remember, communication is a two-way street; every conversation is an opportunity to connect. See you next time! 💙

Episode 3 – Embracing Mistakes: The Key to Building ResilienceHost: Davina LyonsPodcast: Resilient Kids: Thriving at Home and in the ClassroomEpisode Overview:Mistakes—big or small—are an inevitable part of life but are also essential for growth and resilience. In this heartfelt and practical episode, Davina Lyons shares two powerful stories from her first year of teaching. She reflects on how those challenging moments shaped her as an educator and a person, and she provides actionable strategies for helping kids (and adults!) view mistakes as opportunities rather than failures.What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why Mistakes Matter:Mistakes are stepping stones to growth and resilience. Davina discusses how to turn uncomfortable moments into powerful lessons.Two Teaching Stories:A classroom management mishap during a principal evaluation.A failed attempt to create a relaxed standardized testing environment.Both moments ended in tears but led to meaningful changes that transformed her classroom and mindset.Strategies for Supporting Kids Through Mistakes:Share Your Own Stories: Normalize failure by showing kids that adults make mistakes, too.Focus on Growth, Not Perfection: Ask reflective questions like, “What did you learn?”Celebrate Effort and Resilience: Acknowledge persistence and the courage to keep trying, even after setbacks.Episode Highlights:Key Quote:“Mistakes aren’t the end of the road—they’re stepping stones.”Practical Takeaway:This week, reflect on a mistake you’ve made recently. Share what you learned with a child to model resilience and normalize growth through failure.Call to Action:Enjoyed this episode? Please like, share, and subscribe to Resilient Kids: Thriving at Home and in the Classroom. Your support helps this community grow!Next Episode Teaser:In Episode 4, we’ll dive into the art of communication—how to have meaningful conversations with kids and why listening is one of the most powerful tools for connection. Don’t miss it!Thank You for Listening!Take care, and keep rising resilient!

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Podcast Script: Episode 1 – Welcome to The Resilient Kids PodcastDavina Lyons:Hello, and welcome to the very first episode of Resilient Kids: Thriving at Home and in the Classroom. I’m your host, Davina Lyons, and I’m so honored that you’re here, sharing your time with me. This podcast is about resilience—helping kids, parents, and educators find the tools to overcome challenges, build stronger connections, and create lives filled with purpose and possibility.But before we jump into the how-tos and strategies, I want to take this first episode to share a little more about me—my story, my “why,” and the experiences that shaped my mission to help kids thrive. Because the truth is, this isn’t just something I teach or talk about. It’s deeply personal. It’s the story of my own life.Davina Lyons:Growing up, I didn’t have a word for resilience. I didn’t even realize it was something I needed. Like so many kids, I thought how I felt—uncertain, anxious, and sometimes invisible—was how life was.I grew up in a home where love wasn’t something we talked about or showed in apparent ways. We didn’t say, “I love you,” and there weren’t a lot of hugs or affirmations. In my world, you assumed you were loved because you had food on the table, clothes on your back, and a roof over your head. But let’s be honest—basic survival isn’t the same as feeling seen, valued, or supported.There were moments when I wanted to ask for help—when the pressures at home felt too heavy, and I didn’t know how to carry them. But I kept quiet. I didn’t want to burden anyone and didn’t want to seem weak. So I did what so many kids do: I bottled it all up, wore a brave face, and hoped no one would notice how much I struggled.Davina Lyons:School was my escape in some ways, but it was also a battlefield. I was a good student, but I didn’t always feel like I belonged. I was the quiet one who worked hard but rarely raised her hand. On the outside, I looked like I had it together. On the inside, I felt like I was barely holding on.There were no conversations about how to handle stress, how to believe in yourself, or how to ask for help when you needed it. And there weren’t adults pulling me aside to say, “Hey, I see you. I’m here for you.” Looking back now, I realize how much I needed someone to tell me that I was enough, even when life was hard.Those feelings stayed with me for a long time. Even as I grew older, became a mother, and eventually found my way into teaching, I carried those questions with me: Am I enough? Am I doing this right? Can I handle this? Honestly, it’s taken years of work on myself, my mindset, and my relationships to realize that resilience isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about learning to keep going, even when the path is hard.Davina Lyons:And that’s why this mission is so important to me. As a teacher, I see kids daily struggling in ways that remind me of my younger self. They’re carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders—family problems, self-doubt, social pressures—and they’re doing it in silence, just like I did. But here’s the thing: they don’t have to go it alone.I want to be the person I needed when I was young. I want to remind kids—and the adults who care for them—that resilience is something we can build together. We can teach kids how to handle life’s challenges with courage and grace. We can create homes, classrooms, and communities where kids feel seen, supported, and truly loved—not just in words but in action.Davina Lyons:I also know that this isn’t easy. As parents, teachers, and caregivers, we juggle so much. We’re dealing with challenges, questions, and sometimes even our unhealed wounds. But what I’ve learned—both in the classroom and in my own life—is that the most powerful...