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Shielding Minds

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Lesson Plan

Shielding Minds Lesson Plan

Enable 8th grade teachers to co-create a proactive staff safety plan by identifying mental health indicators, defining response protocols, and establishing communication strategies.

A structured safety plan equips educators to recognize and respond early to student mental health concerns, fostering a supportive and secure learning environment.

Audience

8th Grade Teachers

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Brainstorm, framework overview, collaborative worksheet drafting.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Session Materials

10 minutes

  • Print enough copies of Staff Safety Plan Worksheet for all participants
  • Arrange seating for small-group discussions
  • Review session objectives and familiarize yourself with district mental health resources

Step 1

Welcome & Overview

5 minutes

  • Greet participants and introduce the session purpose
  • Present learning objectives and agenda
  • Emphasize the importance of proactive planning for student mental well-being

Step 2

Current Practices Brainstorm

10 minutes

  • Divide teachers into small groups of 3–4
  • In groups, list existing staff safety measures and supports
  • Identify strengths and gaps in current practices
  • Share one key insight with the whole group

Step 3

Safety Plan Framework Presentation

10 minutes

  • Introduce the four core components of a staff safety plan:
    • Mental health indicators and warning signs
    • Response protocols and intervention steps
    • Resource mapping (internal/external supports)
    • Communication pathways and record-keeping
  • Provide examples or templates to illustrate each component

Step 4

Collaborative Worksheet Activity

15 minutes

  • Pair up teachers and distribute the Staff Safety Plan Worksheet
  • Complete each section: triggers, response actions, resource contacts, and communication plan
  • Discuss and refine draft entries with your partner

Step 5

Share-Out & Next Steps

5 minutes

  • Invite each pair to share one action item from their worksheet
  • Discuss how teams will finalize the plan and assign responsibilities
  • Outline follow-up: schedule review meetings, share the plan with all staff, and set check-in dates
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Worksheet

Staff Safety Plan Worksheet

Use this worksheet to draft a comprehensive staff safety plan. Fill in each section with your team.

  1. Indicators and Warning Signs

List at least five behaviors, signs, or changes indicating a student may be in distress.

  1. _________________________________________________





  2. _________________________________________________





  3. _________________________________________________





  4. _________________________________________________





  5. _________________________________________________





2. Response Protocols and Intervention Steps

For each indicator above, outline clear, step-by-step actions staff should take.

Indicator #1: _______________________________________


  • Step 1: ____________________________________________


  • Step 2: ____________________________________________


  • Step 3: ____________________________________________


Indicator #2: _______________________________________


  • Step 1: ____________________________________________


  • Step 2: ____________________________________________


  • Step 3: ____________________________________________


(Repeat as needed for additional indicators.)

3. Resource Mapping (Internal & External Supports)

Identify key internal team members and external organizations who can assist.

Internal Supports

  1. Name/Role: ____________________________ | Contact Info: ____________________________





  2. Name/Role: ____________________________ | Contact Info: ____________________________





External Supports

  1. Organization: ____________________________ | Service Provided: ____________________________





  2. Organization: ____________________________ | Service Provided: ____________________________





4. Communication Pathways & Record-Keeping

Outline who will communicate, how, how often, and how interactions will be documented.

Primary Communicator: ____________________________



Other Stakeholders: ____________________________


Communication Method(s) (e.g., email, meeting, phone):
- ____________________________________________


Frequency & Timing:
- ____________________________________________


Documentation Process (e.g., shared log, referral form):
- ____________________________________________


Once complete, review with your team and refine each section to ensure clarity and effectiveness. Save this draft and plan a follow-up meeting to finalize roles, responsibilities, and timelines.

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