Kyrene School District is committed to supporting the whole child: academically, socially and emotionally. One approach guiding that work is the Neurosequential Model in Education (NME), a brain-based framework the district has incorporated in schools in recent years.

NME aligns academic instruction with brain-based development and relationships. When students feel calm, connected and understood, they are better prepared to learn and succeed. The framework helps educators create environments where students can build these foundational skills, leading to improved engagement, stronger relationships and more positive experiences in school.

"The idea is, the brain is going to impact how we do things," said Lainie Sgouros, Assistant Director of Prevention. "So, let's use that knowledge to be as effective as we can be and use what we know about the brain to get the best results for our students."

Over the past five years, administrators, teachers and counselors in Kyrene have built their understanding of NME through collaborative training and resource sharing with other Arizona school districts, working to better support students across a variety of classrooms, ranging from standard general education classrooms to special areas like music and art.

"We presented to special area teachers about practical strategies that they can use to help students regulate, relate, and reason," said JulieAnne Weissberg, Special Areas and Electives Coordinator. "This is the sequence that NME teaches, but often the implementation and practical strategies are not taught because it is dependent on context."

One of the strengths of the Neurosequential Model is that there is no single “right” way to implement it. It is a lens that can be applied across a wide range of educational environments. The goal of applying that lens in the classroom is to help students regulate; when they feel calm and safe, they are more in control of their behavior and, in turn, able to think clearly and learn.

Kara Ashcraft, Kyrene's lead counselor, has incorporated the framework into both individual and group sessions with students. Through this work, students develop emotional awareness, navigate peer relationships and build skills to manage challenges.

She says the impact of NME extends beyond the classroom, strengthening communication and partnerships with families. By introducing shared language and concepts, educators can collaborate more effectively with families around student behavior and development.

"Applying NME principles has helped families better understand the differences between bullying, peer conflict, and typical social behavior," Ashcraft said. "This shared understanding creates consistency between home and school and empowers families with practical tools to support their children."

Kyrene has extended that learning to families through the district's Positive Parenting Series, offering sessions that help families understand how to support their children's development using the framework. These sessions have focused on strategies families can use at home to help children regulate emotions, build relationships and develop reasoning skills.

This work reflects Kyrene's strategic plan, Thrive! Ready for the Future, which calls on the district to create the conditions in which every student can become the very best version of themselves. By grounding instruction in what we know about the developing brain and extending that understanding to families, the district is building an environment where students feel safe, connected, and ready to learn.