ISBE School Wellness Conference

Hot take: educators don’t need one more thing. They need one simple thing they’ll actually use.


Teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff are constantly being asked to do more... more SEL initiatives, more mental health support, more interventions, more documentation, more everything. And while the intention is good, the reality is that overload doesn’t build connection. It builds burnout. The real need isn’t another program, it’s a universal tool that fits into the hallway, the classroom, the office, the meeting, and the moment a student (or colleague) is clearly not okay.


In this interactive session, Brittany Richmond shares that tool: three words that can change a conversation, a relationship, and sometimes the entire direction of a life—“Tell me more.” Brittany introduces her signature, evidence-based
Tell Me More Method™ — a practical framework rooted in the power of curious questions. Rather than trying to fix, lecture, or force teens to open up, the Tell Me More Method™ teaches educators how to create psychological safety, reduce shame, and invite honest dialogue that builds trust and belonging.


Grounded in real school-based experience and storytelling, Brittany uses the relatable lens of The Breakfast Club not just as a movie reference, but as a mirror of her own lived experience navigating anxiety and isolation as a student. Along with other personal stories, they highlight a powerful truth: students don’t need perfect adults—they need present adults who know how to respond with empathy and confidence.


This session is designed to support students and the adults who serve them. Participants will learn how the Tell Me More Method™ can be used with students, families, and coworkers, because school staff needs tools that strengthen connection not only with teens, but also within their own teams. Educators will practice real-life language, experience the method in action, and leave with a simple strategy they can use immediately to build connection, reduce isolation, and create a culture of support.
Because when educators feel supported, students feel supported and sometimes the most powerful intervention is just three words: Tell me more.

This session highlights the partnership between Hawthorn District 73 and Youth and Family Counseling to expand access to student mental health services by providing therapy on site during the school day. Participants will learn how this district–community collaboration reduces barriers to care, supports student wellness, and maximizes impact through coordinated scheduling and systems-level planning. Attendees will leave with practical insights for developing similar partnerships in their own districts.

SOS Signs of Suicide teaches students how to identify signs of depression and suicide in themselves and their peers, while training school professionals, parents, and community members to recognize at-risk students and take appropriate action. Using SOS, 90% of schools have seen an increase in students seeking help for themselves or a friend, with 95% believing the program also reduced stigma in schools.

Hot take: educators don’t need one more thing. They need one simple thing they’ll actually use.


Teachers, administrators, counselors, and support staff are constantly being asked to do more... more SEL initiatives, more mental health support, more interventions, more documentation, more everything. And while the intention is good, the reality is that overload doesn’t build connection. It builds burnout. The real need isn’t another program, it’s a universal tool that fits into the hallway, the classroom, the office, the meeting, and the moment a student (or colleague) is clearly not okay.


In this interactive session, Brittany Richmond shares that tool: three words that can change a conversation, a relationship, and sometimes the entire direction of a life—“Tell me more.” Brittany introduces her signature, evidence-based
Tell Me More Method™ — a practical framework rooted in the power of curious questions. Rather than trying to fix, lecture, or force teens to open up, the Tell Me More Method™ teaches educators how to create psychological safety, reduce shame, and invite honest dialogue that builds trust and belonging.


Grounded in real school-based experience and storytelling, Brittany uses the relatable lens of The Breakfast Club not just as a movie reference, but as a mirror of her own lived experience navigating anxiety and isolation as a student. Along with other personal stories, they highlight a powerful truth: students don’t need perfect adults—they need present adults who know how to respond with empathy and confidence.


This session is designed to support students and the adults who serve them. Participants will learn how the Tell Me More Method™ can be used with students, families, and coworkers, because school staff needs tools that strengthen connection not only with teens, but also within their own teams. Educators will practice real-life language, experience the method in action, and leave with a simple strategy they can use immediately to build connection, reduce isolation, and create a culture of support.
Because when educators feel supported, students feel supported and sometimes the most powerful intervention is just three words: Tell me more.