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The Opportunity
As a possible remedy, I stumbled upon calm strips (www.calmstrips.com),
which are textured stickers that can help a person calm down when they feel restless.
Students can place a calm strip on their iPad case, binder, or other easy-to-access
spot (Figure 2) that is convenient for use, and I aimed to use the calm strip as a visual
reminder to breathe.

Figure 2
Sample Placements of Calm Strips

Photo copyright: A. Rutledge, 2024

My discovery of calm strips prompted me to take advantage of an opportunity to
write a grant to support my vision for teaching students how to self-regulate (so we
could then get to the reading part of the class). My local DKG chapter in Pennsylvania
State Organization offers an annual Presidential Visionary Award administered
by the Past Chi Chapter Presidents for continuing the legacy of leadership and
innovation within Chi Chapter. I applied and was selected to be the recipient of the
2023 Presidential Visionary Award in the amount of $300. This provided enough
money to purchase calm strips for all the students in my intervention classes.
Seeing the need to reach beyond my own classroom and turn this idea into a
school-wide initiative, I decided to apply for another grant. My school district’s
education foundation offers teachers grants that are designed to enrich and enhance
the lives of students in the classroom by allowing teachers to try creative ideas
without incurring financial burden. I was selected and felt excited (and calm)!

The Implementation
At the beginning of the 2023–2024 school year, I purchased 700 calm strips so
that every single child and adult at the middle school could receive one (Figure 3).

Promoting Professional and Personal Growth of Educators and Excellence in Education 45