Class Catalyst is an innovative, solutions-driven platform that places deep emphasis on the wellness of both teachers and students, leading to a positive change in the way schools integrate emotional well-being and strategies for improved connection, self-awareness, and self-regulation.

We are dedicated to seamlessly delivering the best evidence-based well-being practices to school districts nationwide, providing them with daily wellness tools to discreetly connect with each student in a safe, private, and non-confrontational way.

We are often asked how Class Catalyst came to be.

For us, it all starts with our personal experiences. As parents, educators and former students we noticed a disconnect between the need for well-being practice and a way to easily integrate wellness into an already busy school schedule.

We love sharing our stories because they continue to remind us that mindfulness is a tool we can all use to better enable learning.

“When I taught high school there was a student of mine who couldn’t concentrate on my oh-so-fabulous haiku poetry lesson because they were scared and hungry. But at the time, I didn’t know that. I only saw a student that was disrupting the lesson I worked all weekend creating. Finally, after trying to redirect this student multiple times, I disciplined them— but their disruptive behavior continued.

Only at my breaking point, did I discover what was really causing my students’ behavioral issues. As I vented to colleagues, I became aware that my students’ mother would often abandon her kids due to a drug addiction and the kids were doing everything they could to stay out of a foster home. I came to terms with the ugly reality that I didn’t really know my student, and I was failing them. It was my responsibility to teach the “whole child,” not just the part of them that I thought ought to learn haiku poetry. I needed to create space in my instruction for students to develop an awareness of their physical, emotional, and mental needs. A space where students could first safely connect, feel heard and understood—and then focus on the lessons.”

“When I was in grade school I was diagnosed with ADHD.

At the time it was not as common or well known as it is today. Schools didn’t have the right tools or strategies to help students’ like myself understand how to cope with their needs. This meant I was often distracting my classmates and acting out when my impulses got the better of me. It wasn’t until high school when it was suggested I doodle in my notebook as a way to contain my impulses. It worked! Though, I wished someone had given me simple practices like this years earlier.”

We pushed ourselves to go beyond the standard wellness offering and build something truly interactive, informative and easy-to-implement. Class Catalyst is designed to work for all students, because we believe every young person deserves to be seen, heard, and supported, and known.

Our wellness specialists advise and consult on a classroom level, school level, and district level, to ensure best practices, consistency, and fidelity of implementation.

Come test drive Class Catalyst and see how it can transform wellness practices in your organization.

Stay up-to-date on current events, new techniques, opportunities, and happenings in the well-being community!

Location
1827 N Wilmot Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
Phone (312) 371-9491

Social