Marissa Nowlan, a Nea Community Learning Center 1st Grade Teacher, was in need of special seating for some of her students. She wrote “I have four students, two of whom have extremely high needs, that enjoy being in beanbags in the library. I’d wanted to purchase some as a means to give a calm and safe place for regulation for when these students have overstimulating moments. The beanbags have been the biggest blessing this school year!
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, but we don’t need...
Students frequently experience emotional challenges such as anxiety, frustration, and...
by Eleanor Hahnel, The Echo (Encinal Jr/Sr High School News Site)
March 24, 2026
Read the original article here.
Teen mental health is an important topic to discuss, yet it is not talked about often due to social stigma, and because it is deeply personal. Many teens struggle with their mental health, though this can appear in different forms. According to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing,
» Read more about: Jodi McCarthy and Her Perspective on Teen Mental Health »
Counseling Enriched Classroom Program (for grades 9-12) counselor, Emma Elliott recently received an AEF Teacher Mini Grant and wrote:
“The students in the Counseling Enriched Classroom (CEC) program at Alameda High School have greatly benefited from the Educator Mini-Grant provided by the Alameda Education Foundation. Our students face a range of mental health challenges that can make it difficult for them to make it difficult to come to school, interact with peers,
» Read more about: Making a Difference in Daily Life at School »
Interview with Jeramie Andehueson from Alameda Pride
Because Jeramie Andehueson, who founded Alameda Pride (and the Alameda Pride Foundation non-profit organization), didn’t get the support he needed growing up in the Midwest, he wanted to create a safe, inclusive environment for LGTBQ+ teens in Alameda. Thus the QTAC (Queer Teen Alameda Center) was born in October 2024.
Jeramie began his dive into community activism when he started the Alameda Pride in the Park festival in 2022.
» Read more about: QTAC is a Safe Nurturing Place for Alameda Teens »
This year, AUSD’s Student Support Services department partnered with Alameda...
Every year AUSD teaches all 10th graders Teen Mental Health...
