Bracha Schulgasser

Bracha Schulgasser is a Licensed Master Social Worker who serves as the SEL counselor for grades K-8 at Torah Day School of Atlanta. Combining her passion for teaching and supporting students, Bracha joins students in their classroom setting and uses developmentally appropriate language and activities to proactively educate students in self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, problem solving and responsible decision making. The premise of her work is that all students benefit from improved self-awareness and relationship building skills. Beginning in Kindergarten, all students are taught how to identify and manage their emotions, how to resolve conflicts with peers and how to work towards maximizing their potential. Successful teaching of self awareness and social well-being requires a partnership between parents, children and teachers.

Bracha teaches through modeling, group activities and role-playing. The exercises she shares are described to parents and teachers so they can reinforce these lessons at home and students can practice them throughout their day. Collaborating with students, parents, teachers and support staff, Bracha aims to hone into students' strengths and uses understanding of those strengths to encourage growth and maximization of student functioning in school. She seeks to empower teachers with the language and tools to support students in the classroom by educating teachers about the language and strategies she uses during her SEL classes. The basis for Bracha's work in school stems from the research which shows that when students have positive relationships with their teachers and peers, and feel supported, they develop stronger connections with their learning and can achieve more towards their potential in school and throughout their lives. Bracha uses her warm energy and genuine care for students' well being to build a relationship of trust, which further enables student growth and development.