Catch a sneak peek of Classroom WISE by clicking on the video above!

Introducing Classroom WISE

Well-Being Information and Strategies for Educators

Classroom WISE is a FREE 3-part training package that assists K-12 educators and school staff in supporting the mental health of students in the classroom. Developed by the Mental Health Technology Transfer Center (MHTTC) Network in partnership with the National Center for School Mental Health, this package offers evidence-based strategies and skills to engage and support students experiencing adversity and distress.

In addition to a free online course on mental health literacy for educators and school staff, a video library and resource collection are also available!

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Classroom WISE Online Course

Educators and school staff play a vital role in promoting mental health and well-being and identifying and responding to emerging mental illness in children and adolescents. However, they often have not received the education, training, and/or ongoing support needed to respond in the classroom. To address this need, the MHTTC Network, in partnership with the National Center for School Mental Health, developed a FREE self-guided online course focused on educator mental health literacy, informed by and co-developed with educators and school mental health professional across the United States.

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Classroom WISE Video Library

Access over 50 brief, high-impact and engaging videos of students and educators giving examples to help all students feel welcome in the classroom. The videos are embedded in the Classroom WISE online course and also available as stand-alone resources for educators and school staff.

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Classroom WISE Resource Collection

Identifying Student Distress, Tips for Starting Mental Health Conversations, Creating Mental Health Bulletin Boards are just some of the Classroom WISE resources available. This ever-evolving collection includes resources created to supplement the Classroom WISE online course, as well as resources from other mental health and school organizations.

Classroom WISE Implementation

Classroom WISE provides knowledge and skills that are effective and applicable for educators, school staff, and school mental health professionals. However, we know that training alone is not enough to create practice change. Completing Classroom WISE is only the first step. It’s up to YOU and your school team to decide how to use the Classroom WISE materials to implement actual changes and enhance how your school promotes student mental health and identifies and responds to students with mental health concerns.

The MHTTC Network has developed several resources to help school teams develop a plan for implementing Classroom WISE. Resources include a Classroom WISE Implementation Guide, stories from two schools that recently implemented Classroom WISE, and more.


Now Available: Cultural Inclusiveness and Equity WISE 

A Companion Training to Classroom WISE

Feedback from Educators and School Staff

  • Classroom WISE was very helpful and useful

    "Classroom WISE was very helpful and useful. I already was aware of some of these topics, but this course was a great refresher which included new ideas for me."

    - Middle school educator from New York

  • I believe this will help me feel more prepared in the classroom

    "I plan to address more situations according to what I learned in the [Classroom] WISE modules. There were several useful, interactive activities that gave me more insight into issues I have never dealt with before. I believe this will help me feel more prepared in the classroom."

    - Educator from North Carolina

  • After completing Classroom WISE, I want to be more intentional with welcoming activities

    “After completing Classroom WISE, I want to be more intentional with welcoming activities, use more modeling of identifying my emotions and coping strategies at times when it would happen naturally, and have more confidence in being able to de-escalate a student in distress."

    - Educator from Colorado

  • I enjoyed Classroom WISE

    "I enjoyed Classroom WISE and liked the fact that we got to hear some students' personal point of view in how they feel and how we can help them."

    - Elementary school student instructional support personnel from Texas

  • Wonderful training program

    "Wonderful training program! Classroom WISE would be an effective training tool for new educators to have before working with students. I also feel that this is a great refresher course with new terminology for experienced staff. The videos gave effective examples and the course outlines provided strategies for immediate use. This is a worthwhile tool."

    - Middle school counselor from Kentucky

  • I believe this training has reinstated my empathy for those experiencing ACEs.

    "I believe this training has reinstated my empathy for those experiencing multiple adverse childhood experiences and given me a better understanding of how to help."

    - Licensed behavioral health provider from Oklahoma

  • I plan on incorporating the knowledge and materials I received from Classroom WISE

    "I plan on incorporating the knowledge and materials I received from [Classroom] WISE to help my students become healthier mentally and give them the tools needed to better cope and navigate through life events/situations/distress."

    - Educator from California

  • Classroom WISE was convenient

    "I really enjoyed doing the self-paced course. Classroom WISE was convenient and it really did help me to learn how to deal with some challenging behaviors."

    - Elementary school educator from North Carolina

  • I plan to use these resources

    "I plan to use these resources to make sure that my classroom is a place where everyone feels as though they are in a safe environment and in a place where they feel loved and cared for."

    - Elementary school intern from Iowa

  • I am thrilled

    “I am thrilled with this training! It empowers teachers to incorporate mental health and social-emotional learning in the classroom. I always say my main goal is to have everyone so well trained in supporting student mental health that my role becomes obsolete. This may just do it!”

    — Nancy Johnson, School Counselor

  • A clean, well-structured format

    "I think that this information is way overdue and I'm excited that it is being shared with educators in such a clean, well-structured format. This training will have an immeasurable positive impact on students now and in the future."

    - Elementary school educator from North Carolina

  • Great course

    "Great course. I loved the precise nature of each module and that the videos were short and to the point while providing real examples for each topic."

    - Middle school behavioral health provider from Illinois

  • Content was easy to digest

    “The topics covered in this training, including positive relationships, cultural awareness, incorporating student interests and using inclusive language, were addressed in a straight-forward, concise manner and content was easy to digest.”

    — Stacy Champey, Multi-Tiered System of Support District Coach

  • Helpful

    “What I found most helpful about the Classroom WISE online course is that it gives educators resources for using trauma-informed strategies in the classroom. I also liked the videos of teachers discussing what works for them in the classroom.”

    — Jodi Southern, Educator

  • I'm excited to use these skills to promote a healthier and positive atmosphere

    “Classroom WISE was very informative and gave me a new perspective on how to engage with all students and people in general. I'm excited to use these skills to promote a healthier and positive atmosphere for the children."

    - Elementary school food service worker from Mississippi

  • I enjoyed the course

    "I really enjoyed the course and the detailed examples of strategies to deal with students experiencing distress. It also helped me understand my own teenagers at home and how to deal with understanding and communicating with them! Thank you!"

    - Elementary school educator from North Carolina

  • Classroom WISE takes a holistic approach to mental health

    "I am particularly impressed by the way that Classroom WISE takes a holistic approach to mental health. The strategies address not only the individual needs of students but also the overall environment of the classroom and school. This is important because mental health is not just an individual issue, it is also a community issue."

    - Educator from North Carolina

  • Incorporating social emotional learning

    "I hope this encourages other teachers to incorporate social emotional learning in their classrooms. This year, I have offered my students a 'zen zone' to go gather their thoughts and emotions in private. This area has been very beneficial to my students because they can go there to breathe and discover what is causing the emotional distress before returning and participating in class."

    - Elementary school educator from North Carolina

  • Engaging

    “Each module in the Classroom WISE course is engaging, authentic and full of practical strategies and resources. I’m so excited for every educator to experience the training and witness their students thrive!”

    — Jennifer Pollock, Educator

  • Awesome training

    "Awesome training. Classroom WISE caused my brain to open up to things we often look over as 'just life.'"

    - Middle school educator from Mississippi

  • The content was valuable

    "I really enjoyed this training! The content was valuable and the videos were great representations/visuals on how to implement WISE strategies. I also enjoyed seeing and hearing from teachers from different school levels. I also like that each module included a transcript. This can be printed and used as a great reference! I would recommend this training to anyone!"

    - Elementary school educator from North Carolina

  • Enlightened me on so many ideas and strategies

    "Classroom WISE was very informative and has enlightened me on so many ideas and strategies that I can use to make my students more comfortable and involved in my classroom."

    - Elementary school educator from Mississippi

  • Great resources

    "Classroom WISE is a great resource that is tailored for the educational setting and the videos provide educators with great examples of how to implement these strategies across different levels."

    - High school administrator from North Carolina

  • Based on Classroom WISE resources, I plan to work to implement classroom routines

    "[Based on Classroom WISE resources], I plan to work to implement classroom routines that check on students' emotions and routinely practice strategies that students can use to de-escalate."

    - High school educator from Washington

  • I plan to be more aware of trauma and distress.

    "After completing Classroom WISE, I plan to be more aware of trauma and distress. I also plan to educate my students of complete mental health and the different aspects of it, as well as strategies to improve it."

    - Elementary school intern from North Dakota

  • Classroom WISE gave me a chance to learn more about myself

    "Classroom WISE gave me a chance to learn more about myself and made me work that much harder to do my best to help kids."

    - Behavioral Interventionist from North Carolina

  • This was a dynamic and thorough program

    “This was a dynamic and thorough program that taught skills, as well as what to look for in struggling students and how to help them. I appreciated that there were videos with sample scenarios as well as very practical information from teachers and students."

    - High school educator from North Carolina

  • Excellent training

    "I think this is an excellent training. I believe this will help educators realize the importance of their interactions with students. I think this will help teachers have some resources to better support students their emotional needs."

    - High school educator from Minnesota

  • I learned much more about mental health and promoting complete mental health in my classroom.

    "I truly enjoyed this course and learned much more about mental health and promoting complete mental health in my classroom. I now know the importance of assisting my students in understanding their mental health and the mental health of others."

    - Elementary school intern from Florida

  • I will use Classroom WISE strategies to support emotional needs of students

    "I will be more aware of my reactions to student behaviors. I will use Classroom WISE strategies to support emotional needs of students as well as academic needs and use the connection between the two."

    - Educator from Minnesota

  • Strategies for students and educators

    "These strategies are not only for students but also for the adults in the education system hoping to heal the rift created by COVID-19. The strategies help strengthen our ability to reach our students and help them realize that they have a say in their education and that we are here to assist them."

    - High school educator from Virginia

  • I like how up to date the information is [in Classroom WISE]

    "I like how up to date the information is [in Classroom WISE]. Some would see it as revolutionary in education, especially with the latest laws passed in North Carolina."

    - Student instructional support personnel from North Carolina

  • This is an effective, commendable tool

    "This is an effective, commendable tool for preparing educators with resources and support to guide students properly."

    - Educator from Mississippi

  • The course helps us give consideration and attention to the whole wellness of our students.

    "The course helps us a lot with our everyday battle, to give quality instruction as well as to give consideration and attention to the whole wellness of our students."

    - Middle school educator from North Carolina

  • I have learned a great deal with the Classroom WISE modules

    "I have learned a great deal with the Classroom WISE modules. The videos are short and provide a great deal of information that educators need to support students."

    - Middle school IEP coordinator from Georgia

  • I will implement the strategies learned from this course in my work with students.

    "I plan to ensure that when I am working with students I focus on their physical environment and ensure I remember to be available and ask them about their individual lives. I will implement the strategies learned from this course in my work with students."

    - School Intern from Virginia

  • This training was very helpful and amazingly designed

    "This training was very helpful and amazingly designed. The contents were interesting, appropriate, and informative. I learned a lot. I also reflected a lot in my daily teaching practices and my students."

    - Educator from Washington

  • This is a very well put together training and very user friendly

    "This is a very well put together training and very user friendly, especially the fact that you can pause and resume at any time."

    - Elementary school behavioral health provider from Tennessee

  • The Classroom WISE content was good

    "The Classroom WISE content was good and revisited some skills I should know. It is always helpful to review!"

    - High school educator from Minnesota

  • I really appreciated the videos and interviews with the students and teachers.

    "I really appreciated the videos and interviews with the students and teachers. I liked that there were teachers of all grades, and I appreciated hearing from the students. It validated many things that I do in my classroom now, and I liked hearing what the students felt was important to them."

    - Educator from Nebraska

  • Based on Classroom WISE resources, I plan on modeling self-regulation more

    "[Based on Classroom WISE resources, I plan on] modeling self-regulation more and being more aware of potential environmental triggers (i.e. turning off lights without advance notice)."

    - Educator from Missouri