Carrington Network

We are the CARRINGTON CONNECTIONS NETWORK for Educators

If those who hold our babes are not okay, our babes will not be okay either.

In collaboration with school divisions across the country, we’ve developed the Carrington Connections Network (CCN)—a model for creating resiliency in schools that looks after educators first.

Since Implementing the CCN Model

STUDENTS NO LONGER CODED AS SEVERE

DECREASE IN SUSPENSIONS

DEATHS FROM SUICIDE

We're Here to Support Educators

The CCN was developed out of a need to connect school divisions in a relationship focused, trauma-informed practice. Educators do the holy work of raising and teaching our future generations, but like our children, educators have never felt more disconnected.

One Language

A universal language for all staff is critical in creating a connected and supportive culture.

Resources

A playbook of resources and guideposts for the School Clinical team.

Community

Connections to other CCN-trained school divisions in the same geographical area.

Our Mission

Dr. Jody Carrington is a Clinical Psychologist who has spent most of her career working with children and families who have experienced trauma. For ten years, she worked on the Mental Health Inpatient Units of the Alberta Children’s Hospital, where she became a believer in the power of the relationship in assisting children and their families who are struggling with emotional disregulation. She has developed a particular passion working with teachers and school staff, who often spend more time with them, during the day, than their primary caregivers. She is an author, speaker, and gamer changer.

There is no institution on this planet that has more influence over (almost) every single child, than that of our educators.

In the world of education, kids are kids regardless of division, province, state, or country. There will be the “good” students, as well as the ones who struggle, the ones who piss you off, and the ones who die. Kids these days are full of hope and promise, but they have never been more disconnected from us, and from each other. This is also true of those of us who hold them. Currently, there is no consistent approach across province or state in place to address the ever-growing concerns of “mental health” of students, and certainly not staff. We need to change that.

Creating a space to look after those educators and support staff who hold our babes need to become our priority. Along with an advisory board of educational leaders in the province of Alberta, including Wild Rose School Division’s Director of Wellness, Darlene Ferris, Prairie Rose’s Associate Superintendent Dr. Reagan Weeks, and Elk Island Catholic’s Assistant Superintendent Paul Corrigan, we developed a model to help guide this process. Some or all components may apply to your Division. What has become clear in our work with Divisions (after many mistakes), is that the stepwise process is absolutely imperative. We start with senior leadership, speak to the masses, and then create expertise and sustainability from within. Your own Division can become part of a Network of Connected Divisions who’s first priority is to protect and support our most precious resource: each other—so that we can do that for our babes. If you’re still in—read on!