Toni D. Jackson

What if we’ve been getting education backwards this entire time? Maslow Before Bloom. You’ve seen it on Facebook. You’ve seen the hashtag. Maybe you’ve seen it on T-shirts, heard about it at school, or read one of the books. But what does it actually mean? Imagine having the worst day of your life. You’re exhausted. You’re anxious. Something is happening at home. You barely slept. Maybe you haven’t eaten. Now imagine someone handing you a worksheet and saying, “Pay attention. Focus. Do your best.” How well would YOU do? Now imagine being 8 years old. That’s Maslow Before Bloom. Maslow reminds us that people need safety, belonging, connection, and support. Bloom reminds us that learning involves understanding, thinking, creating, and growing. Maslow Before Bloom reminds us that we can’t ignore the human being while trying to educate the student. It doesn’t mean lowering expectations. It doesn’t mean eliminating consequences. And it doesn’t mean children have to be happy every minute to learn. It means recognizing that what’s happening inside a child affects what happens inside a classroom. Think about it. -A hungry child may struggle to concentrate. -An anxious child may struggle to remember. -A lonely child may struggle to participate. -A child dealing with trauma may struggle to feel safe. -And a child who believes nobody cares may eventually stop trying. And here’s the part we don’t talk about enough… The same is true for teachers. We can’t expect exhausted, overwhelmed, unsupported educators to keep giving more without supporting them, too. So what does Maslow Before Bloom look like in real life? It’s greeting a child by name. It’s asking “What’s going on?” instead of immediately asking “What’s wrong with you?” It’s noticing the quiet student. It’s giving a struggling child another chance. It’s making classrooms places where mistakes are okay. It’s supporting teachers instead of constantly adding more to their plates. It’s remembering what it felt like to be a kid. It’s connection before correction. Understanding before judgment. People before programs. Dr. Bryan Pearlman, an educator, therapist, former principal, and author, has spent years sharing this message through his Maslow Before Bloom books and professional development trainings across the country. And here’s what I hope every educator and parent remembers: Children may forget what we taught them. But they’ll remember how we made them feel. They’ll remember who believed in them. -Who listened. -Who noticed. -Who gave them hope. -And who refused to give up on them. That’s Maslow Before Bloom. -Not a hashtag. -Not a T-shirt. -Not just another educational initiative. A reminder that children are human beings first. And so are the people who teach them. Join 38,000+ people who believe in this message! Join the Maslow Before Bloom Facebook group - acommunity of educators, parents, administrators, and mental health professionals: Facebook.com/groups/maslowbe… Now I have two questions: 1. Who was the teacher or adult who made YOU feel like you mattered? 2. What’s ONE thing schools could do tomorrow to better support students AND teachers? I’d love to read your answers. Please share this. Someone working with children might need this reminder today.

MASLOW BEFORE BLOOM: YOU CAN’T TEACH A BRAIN THAT DOESN’T FEEL SAFE. We ask kids to focus, learn, behave, problem-solve, and achieve. But sometimes we forget what has to come first. A student who is scared, hungry, overwhelmed, anxious, exhausted, or disconnected may not be ready for Bloom’s Taxonomy. They may need Maslow first. Maslow Before Bloom means helping students feel safe, seen, connected, supported, and capable — so their brains are more available for learning. And this applies to STAFF, too. So what can we do? • Greet people by name. • Connect before you correct. • Create calm/reset spaces. • Ask what’s behind the behavior. • Notice effort, not just outcomes. • Check on staff as people, not just employees. • Make it safe to struggle, ask for help, and try again. This isn’t about lowering expectations. It’s about creating the conditions that help people reach them. Sometimes the most powerful intervention is simply: “I see you. I’m glad you’re here. We’ll figure this out together.” That’s Maslow Before Bloom. What’s ONE thing your school does to help students or staff feel safe, connected, and valued? Share it below, someone may bring your idea to their school tomorrow. Join the “Maslow Before Bloom” Facebook group: Facebook.com/groups/maslowbe… #MaslowBeforeBloom #Teachers #Education #MentalHealth #SchoolCulture