Resilience
is both a desired
outcome of school readiness and a protective
factor that buffers against
adversity. In one small rural community, data highlighted that it is
strengthened through supportive relationships, consistent expectations, and
social emotional skill-building—but undermined by family instability,
disengagement, and lack of coping skills. School district leadership cultivated
Community Learning Exchanges to create shared understandings of the drivers of
school readiness and begin to create thoughtful pathways to heal and strengthen
students and community members.
