Staff, administrators, and counselors from all campuses along with Melissa ISD’s Gifted and Talented, Emergent Bilingual, DAEP, Teaching and Learning, and SPED departments recently participated in an impactful all-day training led by Ruby Payne, Ph.D., a renowned expert in education and author of Emotional Poverty in All Demographics. Known for her extensive work in understanding the effects of poverty on learning, Payne has developed innovative strategies to help educators address students’ emotional needs, especially those who may be affected by economic and social adversity.
Funded through the Emergent Bilingual department as part of a state-mandated, comprehensive professional development (PD) plan targeting the competencies needed to serve the needs of emergent bilingual students, the training led participants through a book study of Educating Students Experiencing Homelessness, Instability & Disengagement as well as training on “EB/ESL Adopting New Language and Culture,” which introduced Melissa ISD staff to Payne’s approach to understanding and addressing emotional poverty.
The book explores how students’ emotional needs and stressors, such as instability, lack of emotional resources, and trauma, can impact their learning and behavior. Payne's sessions help educators recognize emotional triggers, manage stress responses, and develop strategies to build emotional connections and safety in the classroom. They were equipped with practical strategies to foster a classroom culture of empathy, support, and resilience—essential components of a nurturing learning environment. These techniques align closely with Melissa ISD’s core values and reinforce the district’s mission to cultivate a compassionate, inclusive space where all students can thrive.
“This training is a great example of how Team Melissa comes together to create an optimal learning environment for every student,” said Crystal Perez, Coordinator of the Emergent Bilingual Program. “Dr. Payne’s insights reinforced our commitment to meeting students where they are and giving them the tools to succeed, both academically and in life.”
Melissa ISD’s commitment to partnership and continuous improvement is at the heart of this initiative. Deputy Superintendent Kim Boedeker emphasized the importance of building a solid foundation of emotional and academic support within the district. “Our core values drive us to continually seek ways to empower our educators and support our students. Ruby Payne’s training gave us valuable tools to continue to build a compassionate and hopeful learning community that honors our core values and serves all our students.”