Our convenings always kick off with a shared dinner—because the best learning happens when we’re connected!
This time, MOMENTUM residents received personalized “awards” celebrating their unique (and sometimes funny) contributions throughout the year. Each award came with a loving challenge: Go even deeper in your learning journey for Year 2.
Nothing builds community quite like good food and genuine recognition. It feels nice to be noticed! We see you, MOMENTEES!
Day 1
Our final MOMENTUM Residency convening of the year kicked off with outdoor R&B Yoga!
After connecting mind and body, residents reflected on bringing breathwork and movement into their classrooms—especially valuable as the school year winds down and everyone needs those self-regulation tools.
The group members shared powerful insights on their personal and professional growth, celebrating boundary-setting, wellness strategies, and acknowledging the continuous learning journey ahead.
A highlight: hearing directly from the CHHCS Youth Advisory Council at Black Swan Academy about students’ mental health experiences in schools. This authentic exchange sparked curiosity, empathy, and deeper reflection on practice.
Day 2
This day took us into deeper waters with a thoughtful exploration of clinical practice, end-of-year transitions, and the complex feelings of loss that come with saying goodbye. Under the expert guidance of Dr. Georgette Saad—who has become a beloved MOMENTUM mentor this year—residents engaged in meaningful activities that blended personal reflection with hands-on experiential practice.
The session illuminated how our own experiences with loss and endings shape our professional approach to termination and transitions. Residents consistently praised Dr. Saad’s mentorship, noting how her support has elevated their practice in tangible ways.
The impact was so profound that we’re thrilled to announce Dr. Saad will be returning for Year 2—bringing even more of her transformative guidance to our growing MOMENTUM community.
Sometimes the most important learning happens when we lean into the difficult emotions rather than away from them.
Day 3
Our third and final day with School Talk DC was absolutely phenomenal!
The focus on intersectionality and moral injury hit deep, delivered through School Talk’s signature experiential approach that weaves together practice, connection, and humor to help us internalize even the toughest lessons.
Some powerful takeaways that are still resonating:
- Push for deeper thinking in ourselves AND our students—don’t settle for surface-level solutions, and do NOT go it alone!
- Come with more than critique—bring ideas, processes, AND data points to examine.
- Expect and accept non-closure—we’re not here to wrap everything up in a perfect bow but to be one meaningful part of a much longer journey.
- Build work that outlasts you—if a program or intervention is worth doing, it should thrive long after you’ve moved on.
That last one really landed: Your contribution to schools should live on beyond you, because if it’s worth doing, it should exist when you leave.
Thank you, Jasmine Stephens and Yazid Jackson, for your loving support and facilitation!
