Building Resilience Together: KCDSB Welcomes Dr. Michael Ungar
What if the key to student success isn’t about changing the student, but strengthening the environment around them?
That idea shaped a recent day of professional learning across the Kenora Catholic District School Board, where staff engaged in focused sessions on trauma-informed practice and student well-being.
Guided by Dr. Ungar’s research, the session reinforced a powerful message: students thrive when they feel safe, connected, and supported.
As part of this ongoing work, KCDSB welcomed Dr. Ungar back for in-person sessions with educators and the Mental Health Team, continuing to deepen a shared approach to building resilience and supporting students across all schools.
Creating the Conditions for Students to Thrive
Dr. Ungar’s resiliency framework encourages a shift in thinking. Rather than focusing on what students need to “fix,” the focus moves to how schools can create the conditions that support growth, belonging, and well-being.
For students who have experienced adversity, these conditions are essential.
As Sue Devlin, Mental Health Clinical Supervisor, shared:
“Individual interventions are only as good as the environments that kids interact with each day. Never underestimate the importance of a caring adult. A small ‘what do you need today’ can go far.”
Schools play a critical role in providing stability, connection, and care, often becoming a consistent and supportive space in a student’s day.
Small Moments, Lasting Impact
Throughout the session, a clear theme emerged: small, everyday actions matter.
A warm greeting.
A quick check-in.
A moment to listen.
These interactions help students feel seen and valued, building the confidence and resilience they need to succeed.
Sue Devlin emphasized this connection:
“For students who have experienced adversity or trauma, resilience is not built through isolated interventions. It is developed through consistent, everyday experiences of safety, connection, and fairness.”
Supporting Students Through Strong Relationships
Members of the KCDSB Mental Health Team reflected on how this learning strengthens the work already happening in schools.
Amy Stamp, Mental Health Worker, shared: “Resilience is not simply an individual trait, but is shaped by relationships, environments, identity, access to basic needs, and much more. Schools hold tremendous power as a protective factor in a child or youth’s life.”
She also highlighted the importance of student voice:
“By focusing on student voice, we can often find more creative and flexible solutions that not only support the individual student but can also inform more responsive practices across the school community.”
Leslie Bishop, Mental Health Worker, spoke to the importance of understanding student needs: “It reminded me how important it is to look beyond behaviour and ask what might be underneath, whether a student is needing connection, safety, regulation, or simply to feel understood.”
She added:
“This learning encourages us to shift our thinking from ‘what’s wrong?’ to ‘what does this child need right now?’ That mindset helps build stronger relationships and creates school environments where students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn.”
Building on What We Do Well
One of the most meaningful outcomes of the session was the recognition that this work is already happening across KCDSB.
Staff reflected on the relationships they build each day, the care they show, and the flexibility they bring to supporting students. The learning provided a shared framework to strengthen and deepen this work across all schools.
A Continued Commitment to Student Well-Being
This professional learning is part of KCDSB’s ongoing commitment to student well-being and success.
With continued guidance from Dr. Ungar’s work and the leadership of the Mental Health Team, schools will keep building environments where students feel safe, connected, and supported.
By focusing on relationships, listening to student voice, and working together, KCDSB is helping ensure every student has the opportunity to grow, build resilience, and succeed.