So… this Thrive Archive was supposed to be about planning for back-to-school.
But with everything unfolding—from the devastating floods in Texas to the growing unease around shrinking school budgets and cuts to critical supports like food, healthcare, and mental health services—it didn’t feel right to dive straight into vision boards and bulletin boards (though don’t get it twisted—I do love a good vision board, and you better believe one’s coming in the August Thrive Archive.).
So instead, this month’s Thrive Archive is about something deeper: how we cope when everything feels uncertain. How can we build empathy, resilience, and emotional skills—not just for kids, but for the grown-ups holding it all together?
This moment is a reminder that our little ones aren’t the only ones needing support. The adults—parents, caregivers, educators—need space to process, too. Because helping kids through hard times starts with help for the helpers.
And as our favorite neighbor Mr. Rogers once said, “Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable.”
Talking about it helps. And we’re here for that.
🐻 From Doomscrolling to Doing Something—With Teddy Talks®
Whether it’s scary headlines or snippets of grown-up conversations, kids are picking up more than we realize—and they’re feeling it in BIG ways.
And let’s be real: many of us are stuck in the same loop. We scroll through devastating updates, hoping to stay informed, but end up overwhelmed and unsure of what to say or do next.
I have to admit, I’ve personally been in a doomscrolling trap this week, even though I know that witnessing flood devastation over and over again from multiple angles is not good for my mental health. And yet, it doesn’t feel right to just shut it all out and go about my life. Can you relate?
In these times, I try to ground myself in one small thing I can do that is in my hands.
That’s where this week’s timely episode of Teddy Talks® Podcast comes in. Twin bears Grizzle and Grizzlette and I tackle a brave listener’s question: “Why is the news so scary?” with our special guest, award winning journalist Brooks Jarosz.
🎧 In Episode 7 (just 14 minutes long!), you’ll learn how to help kids process scary topics without sugarcoating or overwhelming them. And in the process, you’ll get tools for your own nervous system, too—because navigating hard things starts with knowing how to talk about them.
💬 Then, head to Teddy Talks After Hours on YouTube, where we unpack practical ways caregivers and educators can create emotional safety—through connection, play, and empathy.
🎨 Bonus: Grab our free printable activities to spark meaningful conversations and support emotional regulation at home or school.
🎙️ Stream all episodes of Teddy Talks® on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube
Because in less time than a doomscroll session, you can learn how to support the kids around you—and take care of yourself, too.
🧡 Preventing Burnout with “Tier Zero” Support
That’s where our Tier Zero Framework™ comes in.
At Thriving Students Collective, we’ve created a burnout prevention framework that starts before the tiers—with tiny, systemic shifts that protect educator well-being. It includes:
✔️ Microhabits that regulate nervous systems
✔️ School-wide norms that normalize rest and recovery
✔️ Professional development that isn’t one more “thing”
At Thriving Students Collective, we’re laser focused on helping schools implement Tier Zero supports, and we’re proud to partner with 30+ districts across the United States and thousands of school psychologists, educators, and parents all over the world with our Thriving Students Platform.
Our efficacy studies reinforce our belief that support for neurodiverse students and students with mental health challenges doesn’t start at Tier 1. It starts beneath the MTSS pyramid, with support for the adults doing the supporting.
Because when educators have the tools, time, and emotional bandwidth to thrive, everyone benefits—students, schools, and communities.
💡 Learn more about Tier Zero Framwork™ here or book a quick chat with our team to see how it could work in your school or district. We’re here to help.
🌱 Microhabit of the Month: Too Small to Fail
When you’re surrounded by situations that feel too big to fix, start small. This month’s microhabit is about building tiny coping rituals, what we call “too small to fail” moments. These are bite-sized acts of emotional survival that add up to real resilience over time.
Here’s a weird and memorable way to illustrate this:
I have a friend who wanted to build in the healthy habit of flossing her teeth (bear with me here). She decided to just floss one tooth each day. It was the tiniest slice of the habit that she knew she couldn’t talk her way out of because it was comically easy to do. And guess what? Once she was there flossing her one tooth, she was like, “Aw heck, might as well do them all!”
It’s all about finding that “one tooth” strategy for what healthy habit you want to cultivate. Here’s a few that you can try on for size:
· Want to stretch more? Do one neck roll while your coffee brews.
· Want to build in mindfulness? Take one deep breath when you hear the recess bell or email ping.
·Want to start a gratitude journal? Just do one sentence that starts with “I appreciate…”
·Want to move more? Do 1 squat after answering an email (OMG…we are all going to be SO fit!)
·Want to connect more? When a random thought to reach out to a friend occurs, just send one simple “Hey, I was just thinking of you” text.
·Want to give back but don’t have time to volunteer? Set a recurring $10 monthly donation to a cause (here’s a few organization to support Texas Flood victims to consider.)
Small. Sustainable. Soothing. That’s the vibe.
🎁 A Tier Zero Tool for Tough Times: Microhabits Training for Educators
With so much uncertainty ahead—budget cuts, staffing shortages, rising student needs—we know educators are bracing for another demanding year. That’s why we’re giving back with a tool to help you get ahead of the chaos.
Our Microhabits for Educators training is part of our Tier Zero Framework™—burnout prevention that starts before the school year does. It’s free, it’s science-backed, and it’s made for real educator lives.
💛 Small habits that restore your energy and protect your well-being
🧠 Brain-based strategies to support nervous system regulation
⌛ Just a few minutes to build resilience before the rush
📍 Sign up for our next session on July 15th, 2025 (or sign up to get the replay if you can’t make it) at thrivingstudents.com/microhabits
Because Tier Zero isn’t extra. It’s essential. And in hard times, we show up for the helpers.
🎬 Cringe TikTok of the Month: Bears Doing Trends🙈
Yes, I did another trend. Yes, it involved teddy bears. Was it relevant to education? Barely. Was it worth it for the laughs (and the nervous system reset)? 100%.
Sometimes we need to do something silly in order to stay grounded. Sometimes we need to laugh before we can lead. And sometimes, we need to recreate TikTok trends with bears so we can remember to find joy in the little moments and remember that play is healing for all ages.
When we play, it signals our mammalian nervous system that we are safe (evolutionarily, this makes sense, as what bear cub would start playing with their bear cub friends if they were in imminent danger?). And laughter helps your autonomic nervous system recover after a stressful event.
So check it out on TikTok or Instagram and have a laugh with me to reset your nervous system (and perhaps prove my daughter wrong that “No one wants to see that, mom”???).
No matter what your summer looks like right now…joyful, chaotic, grief-filled, or somewhere in between, please remember this:
❤️ It’s not selfish to be centered in yourself and what you need 💤 Rest is a strategy. 🌱 And small acts of care are never wasted.
You don’t have to fix everything. You just have to keep showing up, with one tiny, “too-small-to-fail-just-one-tooth” step at a time.
With you in every season,
If you’re interested in being a part of the Thriving Students Collective community and would like more information about how to bring the Thriving Students Platform to your school or district, CLICK HERE to connect with us.
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Dr. Rebecca Branstetter is a school psychologist and founder of The Thriving Students Collective, which provides professional development, engaging online courses, and a supportive online community that prioritizes whole-school wellness and equips educators and parents with practical tools to empower every learner’s success. She also has a TikTok account all about burnout prevention in K12 that her middle school daughter has endorsed as “Cringe, but good dancing.”
