Imagine a school where every student feels valued, safe, and supported. In this environment, belonging extends beyond the classroom to families and communities, fostering a sense of trust and connection. With this foundation, students are free to take risks, embrace mistakes, and grow through learning. Clear expectations and predictable routines provide confidence, and change is met with resilience rather than fear. This stability reduces anxiety, creating space for students to focus on what matters most: learning.
At the core of such a school is a focus on relationships. Whether between students, staff, families, or the broader community, trust and connection are paramount. These relationships are essential in helping young people develop healthy interpersonal skills, emotional well-being, and resilience—keys to long-term success. Collaboration and shared responsibility empower students, giving them a voice in their learning. As they develop autonomy and self-regulation, they become equipped to face challenges and contribute meaningfully to their communities. This approach is grounded in cultural humility and responsiveness, ensuring that every student feels understood, respected, and valued.
This vision is at the heart of the Healing Centered Schools (HCS) model, developed by the Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA) with the support of several partner foundations. The HCS model offers a holistic approach to school transformation. It moves beyond traditional trauma-informed care by weaving in culture, community, and collective healing. At its center is the belief that schools can be places where students do more than recover—they can thrive.
Healing Centered Engagement (HCE) highlights the importance of identifying and fostering Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) to counterbalance the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). These experiences—such as meaningful relationships with peers, supportive connections with trusted adults, and opportunities to contribute and belong—help build the resilience and confidence that allow students to flourish both in and beyond the classroom.
Healing Centered: The Heart of our Schools is a podcast that brings this vision to life. Hosted by Cat Plazas and Tom Barclay of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association (NJPSA) and the Foundation for Educational Administration (FEA), each episode explores the ways schools are putting HCE into practice. Listeners will hear from educators, coaches, school leaders, and community partners who are transforming their schools into places of safety, connection, and growth.
Across 18 engaging conversations, the podcast examines topics such as: • What Healing Centered Engagement is—and what it isn’t. • Why HCE matters for schools and students. • The impact of HCE on school culture, student outcomes, and staff well-being. • The role of families and community partners in creating a healing-centered environment. • How coaching and trusted messengers guide schools through the transformation process. • The importance of cultural humility, equity, and responsiveness in sustaining this work.
Each episode blends practical strategies with inspiring stories from schools across New Jersey. From classrooms where students find their voice, to staff who rediscover joy in teaching, to families who feel seen and supported, the podcast shines a light on the real impact of Healing Centered Engagement.
For educators, school leaders, and advocates who want to reimagine schools as places of healing, connection, and opportunity, Healing Centered: The Heart of our Schools is both a guide and an inspiration. It’s more than a podcast—it’s an invitation to transform how we think about education and the role schools play in shaping resilient, thriving communities.