New Team Helps Students Navigate Challenges, Learn Coping Skills

“Learning can’t happen when kids aren’t okay,” says Yvette Wade, a member of Foundation Academies’ new Student Success Team. “We want to equip them with life skills, and social-emotional tools to help them navigate the real world – in addition to academic skills.”

Wade is one of two licensed social workers on the Team, along with Casey Scott LSW, behavior analyst Earl Wallace BCBA, and school counselor Jessica Zlotolow. Beginning this fall, they will be partnering with teachers and families to address social-emotional and behavioral needs of scholars and to equip scholars with strategies needed to lead productive lives.

Chief Academic Officer Natasia Cooper said the team expands Foundation Academies' ability to equip our scholars to excel and empower them to lead purpose-filled lives.

"We welcome these experts," she said. "Together, we will help our scholars not only learn but also develop self-awareness and resilience."

Their efforts are to serve scholars in the general population who demonstrate a need for socio-emotional and behavioral support.

For Zlotolow, who has been at FA since 2012, working on the team reflects her “why” to  “help our scholars navigate life’s challenges, cope with trauma, experience academic and social successes and become the best version of their authentic selves.”

This team will use a multi-disciplinary approach to meet the needs of students making minimal academic, social, and/or emotional progress in the general education setting. They will identify barriers to student performance, help students develop coping skills, support the family and educate faculty on how to recognize and respond to student needs and behaviors.

“It’s all about building relationships, and thinking about everything going on with that family,” Scott said.

Once barriers have been determined, intervention plans will be tailored for each student and family to address areas of concern. Team members will partner with students, families and teachers to continue support as needed and monitor progress.

The goal is for students to thrive emotionally – and academically.

“What made me get excited about coming here was how Foundation Academies’ vision aligned with mine for improving the trajectory for kids in urban communities and what they could be,” Wallace said.