• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content

The Holdsworth Center

Excellence in Education Leadership

  • About
    • Our Story
    • Our People
    • Campus
    • Careers
    • 2021 Impact
  • Our Programs
    • 5-year Holdsworth Partnership
    • Leadership Collaborative
    • Superintendent Leadership Program
  • Who we serve
  • Blog
  • Click here to search this site
  • Login to the Holdsworth Hub
  • Donate Your generosity will help us support insipring leaders who create schools where teachers thrive and students excel
  • Sign up for Holdsworth updates, learning resources and inspiration
Impact

Video: Students thrive when leaders focus on their well-being

By The Holdsworth Center|April 19, 2022
Share
Tweet0Facebook0LinkedIn0

Because students at School for the Highly Gifted in Grand Prairie ISD are ahead of the curve when it comes to academics, people often assume they are emotionally mature.

But they struggle with emotions like any other kid, often expressed through behaviors that disrupt learning for themselves and others – angry outbursts, irritability, feeling low or just shutting down.

As part of The Holdsworth Center’s Campus Leadership Program, school leaders focused on helping students develop coping skills that would help them manage big feelings – not just in school, but in life.

 “Holdsworth made us slow down and reflect and bring everyone to the table, including our students,” said former principal Holly Mohler. “That was a key turning point for us. The little voices at the table had a lot to say.”

Leaders created a 20-minute break in the day called My Time for students to come together and do gentle movement and practice breathing techniques.

Almost immediately, staff and parents noticed changes in their students. Within a year, the percentage of 5th an 6th grade students needing intervention for behavior fell from 56 to less than 20 percent.

“The moment I realized this was going to create results for our students was watching a student in the middle of their math class doing their square breathing we had gone over in My Time,” Mohler said. “I think I stopped on a dime and almost lost it because I was like, ‘This is working, and it’s working in a way that is accessible for the students without any adult support.’”

|


Learn more about our impact

2021 Impact Report Visit this page to read the full 2021 Impact Report
Recommended articles
Keith Boyd of Ellis Elementary in Arlington ISD is pictured interacting with students in a campus classroom.
Impact
Video: Laser focus on literacy gets big results
By The Holdsworth Center

Through teamwork and collaboration, the team at Ellis made tremendous progress with students in reading despite the challenges caused by the pandemic.

Read more
Mark Estrada, superintendent of Lockhart ISD, is pictured in a black face mask interacting with students in the classroom.
Impact
Video: Lockhart ISD transforms in Holdsworth Partnership 
By The Holdsworth Center

As Lockhart leaders began learning with Holdsworth, self-reflection made them realize they needed a radically different approach to reaching their goals.

Read more
Claudia Morales-Herrera of Carter Junior High School in Arlington ISD, and Dr. Marcelo Cavazos, Superintendent of Arlington ISD, are photographed smiling with colleagues as Claudia holds up an Arlington ISD leadership definition poster.
Impact
Don’t let lack of self-awareness hold you back
By The Holdsworth Center

For Claudia Morales-Herrera, finding and addressing a blind spot unlocked incredible leadership potential.

Read more

Notice of nondiscrimination policy

The Holdsworth Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, color or national and ethnic origin in the administration of its admission policies or professional development programs.

  • Email sign-up for Holdsworth updates, learning resources and inspiration
  • Donate
  • Blog
  • Campus on Lake Austin
  • Join our team
  • Contact
  • Media resources
  • Privacy policy
© Copyright  The Holdsworth Center
Sign up for Holdsworth updates, learning resources and inspiration.










Search for your district. If you can't find it, check the box below.


Search for your college/university. If you can't find it, check the box below.


Search for your organization. If you can't find it, check the box below.




reCAPTCHA helps prevent automated form spam.
The submit button will be disabled until you complete the CAPTCHA.