b'8RAPPORT | Feature StoryHealthy Schools, Healthy KidsWelcoming the new Center for Behavioral Health, Equity, and Leadership in Schools (BHELS)orking in schools has never been moreSometimes were called in because of an W challenging for teachers and schoolincident that has caused disruption in the leaders. Headlines involving racism,district, says Andre Ravenelle, MEd, director racial violence, cyber-bullying, andof BHELS Freedman Consulting Services. many forms of oppression are the new normal. NotOthers are simply trying to be proactive.to mention an enduring pandemic. The NationalAs a retired superintendent who worked in K-12 Center for Education Statistics estimates 3.5 millioneducation for thirty years, Ravenelle saw firsthand teachers headed back to their public and private K-12the challenges faced by teachers and school leaders. classrooms across the country this fall. I realized that many of the issues that were being As they restarted the in-person academic year,labeled academic were not academic at all. There what was the cultureand school climatethatwere all kinds of other conditions that were hindering greeted them? More importantly, were they students opportunity to succeed at the highest level.equipped to break through the countless barriers BHELS currently partners with 15 districts. Their they would encounter? approach includes a thorough investigation and deep The new Center for Behavioral Health, Equity,understanding of the work ahead. Based upon this and Leadership in Schools (BHELS) is designedin-depth exploratory process, BHELS staff serve as a to answer questions like these with practitionersupport system and guidepost, working together with expertise. Formerly the consultant-baseddistricts to make transformative, systemic change. nonprofit Teachers21 and a long-time partner ofRavenelle says the work ideally begins William James, BHELS has its priorities in thewith the central office in each district. You name: providing consulting services focused onstart with the leaders, he adds. Once you get ensuring students emotional wellbeing (critical tothem philosophically in a new place, theyre development) and a healthy school environment,the ones who will lay the foundation for intentional and purposeful equity and inclusionculture and climate and bring in others. programming, and leadership training for educatorsA particularly successful group has been that of and aspiring principals and superintendents.diversity officers. Unlike superintendents, theres often no real definition for who is appointed in the Transformative, Systemicdistrict, says Ravenelle. These administrators, who Change sometimes feel isolated in these roles, are brought together from across the state to develop a supportive BHELS has served schools across all demographicscommunity, with BHELS to help them inform the and geographyvirtual includedin thegreater community: Diversity is never one persons Commonwealth. Districts gain an expertjob. It is the work of the entire system.assessment and structured road map forBHELS Executive Director Nadja Lopez change that includes personalized consultingReilly, PhD, says, We at BHELS greatly services, workshops, seminars, and monthlycherish the opportunity to work with diversity roundtables to share best practices and issues withofficers as we support their work, share best administrators or educators in similar roles. practices as a community of leaders, and'