The Voice of the Student Book:

Transforming Education by Listening to Those Who Matter Most

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Now Available!

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🌟 Hear What Students Really Need to Succeed 🌟

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In today's high-pressure educational environment, students are facing unprecedented levels of stress, anxiety, and mental health challenges. The Voice of the Student takes you directly to the source-the students themselves-to understand what they truly need from their educational experience.​

 

 

 

 

 

💡 Why This Book Matters Now

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Adolescent stress has reached alarming levels, becoming one of the primary drivers of disengagement, mental health issues, and even suicide among teens. Between 2007 and 2021, suicide rates in adolescents aged 12-23 surged by a staggering 62%, signaling a pressing public health crisis that demands urgent attention.

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📋 What You'll Discover Inside

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• Real student voices from across the country sharing their experiences, struggles, and needs

• Science-backed insights into how stress affects the adolescent brain and learning

• Practical, implementable strategies for teachers to create supportive classroom environments

• Simple techniques like "pause moments" that can transform student stress into engagement

• A roadmap for change that benefits both students and educators

 

 

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🧠 Understanding the Adolescent Brain

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Learn how chronic stress interferes with key brain functions during this critical developmental period:

• Impacts concentration, decision-making, and memory

• Affects emotional regulation and sense of self

• Directly influences academic performance

• Creates barriers to learning and engagement

 

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🏫 Teachers: Your Impact Is Immense

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As a teacher, you have the greatest influence over a student's school experience, especially during the influential high school years. This book offers you insights into what your students are really thinking and needing from their experiences in your classrooms. Understand how to:

• Create positive classroom environments where students feel supported

• Implement simple wellness practices that don't add to your workload

• Transform your teaching approach to reduce student stress

• Become the change agent your students desperately need

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⭐ What Readers Are Saying About this 5-Star Book...

 

"What an awesome book focused on giving voice to the actual students in high school! So many other books are focused on what the adults think instead of hearing from the kids themselves. I loved how Dr. Spence provided interesting facts and useful information but kept the main focus of this book on the students! There were helpful tips suggested, but always with the idea that we need to really start listening to these students. I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot."

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ JKF

 

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🚀 Simple Solutions for Complex Problems

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The book introduces powerful yet simple techniques like pause moments-short, intentional breaks where students and teachers take a brief period to breathe, reset, and recalibrate. These moments:

• Take only 1-2 minutes to implement

• Reduce stress and improve focus

• Enhance mood and classroom engagement

• Require no additional funding or elaborate training

 

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📣 A Call for Change in Education

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It's time to move beyond outdated educational paradigms and acknowledge that student well-being must be prioritized alongside academic achievement. The Voice of the Student advocates for:

• Integrating wellness practices into everyday classroom activities

• Creating a more balanced, supportive educational experience

• Providing students with tools to manage stress effectively

• Building resilience and coping skills for life beyond school

 

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👩‍🏫 Why Listen to Kelley Spence

 

An Expert in Education & Adolescent Research

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Dr. Kelley P. Spence brings her expertise as an education researcher with a PhD in Integral Health and Life Physics, certifications in mind-body practices and interpersonal neuropsychology of teens, and a parent of adolescents who has witnessed firsthand the challenges students face in today's educational system.

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EDUCATION COURSES STUDIED & CERTIFICATIONS EARNED:

 

• Biophoton Research Study Using A Form of Sound Transmission (light language) on the Body

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• Consciousness Studies

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• Contemporary Approaches to Psycho-Integrative Health

   

• Counseling and Communication Skills

   

• Developing a Resilient Mind-Interpersonal Neurobiology

   

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity

   

• Energy Medicine Topics

   

• Energy Protocols, EFT/Tapping, NLP, AIT, Pranic Healing, Sound Healing

   

• Energy Psychology

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• Foundations in Ayurveda and Yoga

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• Foundations in Integral Studies 

   

• Geometric Dynamics: The Art & Architecture of Consciousness

   

• Human Biofield: Scientific and Philosophical Concepts

   

• Human Sexuality I

   

• Human Sexuality II

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• Integral Spiritual Coaching

   

• Integrative Anatomy & Physiology

   

• Life Coaching

   

• Neuroscience/Psychology and Spirituality

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• Paradigms of Health & Disease

   

• Patterns & Cosmological Dynamics

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• Psychoacoustics

   

• Psychology of Mind/Body and Energy

   

• Psychology of the Chakras

   

• Quantum Concepts in Biology and Consciousness

   

• Somatic Psychology

   

• Subtle Energy Devices and Research

   

• Subtle Energy Study Utilizing the GDV to Measure Effects of Mindfulness Techniques on Youth

   

• Subtle Energy System I

   

• Theories of the Chakras

   

• Yin Yoga

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• Developing a Resilient Mind--Interpersonal Neurobiology

  Mindsight Institute Issued Feb 2023

  • • Skills: Wellness · Interpersonal Skills · Working with Adolescents

   

• Teaching with the Brain in Mind-Interpersonal Neurobiology

  Mindsight Institute Issued Feb 2023

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• Sound Healing Training, John Beaulieu, with focus on Tuning Fork Techniques

  The Shift Network Issued Jan 2023
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• Introduction to Qigong for Healing and Balance

  The Shift Network Issued Jan 2022

   

• Somatic Yoga Therapy

  SOUL OF YOGA, LLC Issued Jan 2022

   

• Mindfulness and the Brain

  Peace In Schools Issued May 2021​

   

• Foundations in Ayurveda

  Dancing Shiva School of Ayurveda and Yoga Issued Jan 2021​

   

• Apprenticeship Training Program, Cyndi Dale

  ​The Essential Energy/Life Systems Services, LLC Issued Jan 2020​

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• Ancestral Healing and Breathwork

  The Shift Network Issued Jan 2019​

   

• IBMT-Integrative Body Mind Technique, level one

  Dr. Yi-Yuan Tang Issued Jan 2019

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• Usui Reiki Master

  Clearly Unique Learning Institute Issued Jan 2018​​​

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• Advanced Integrative Therapy (AIT)

  ​California Institute of Human Sciences Issued Jan 2016​

   

• Essentials in Energy Medicine

  Eden Energy Issued Jan 2016​

   

• Sahasrara Chakra Workshop

  ​California Institute of Human Science Issued Jan 2016​

   

• Ajna Chakra Workshop

  California Institute of Human Science Issued Jan 2015

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Read the book based on Dr. Spence's groundbreaking, highly-rated pilot study published on ResearchGate interviewing adolescent students about their real world experience of being a high school student in their own words. For far too long, students have been talked about, but never actually talked to when it comes to how to best provide an educational environment that supports them academically, socially, mentally, physically, and emotionally. This book opens the door to understanding why it's time to finally change that for a better future for ALL. 

 

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🔍 Who Needs This Book?

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• Teachers looking to make a meaningful difference in their students' lives

• School administrators seeking to improve school culture and student outcomes

• Parents wanting to better understand and support their teens

• Education policymakers interested in evidence-based approaches to educational reform

• Anyone concerned about the future of education and adolescent well-being

• Every member of society wanting to ensure a better future for our communities and world

 

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🌈 Join the Movement for Better Education

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The time for change is now. Our students are asking for it-and they deserve it-and our teachers need our collective support now more than ever. By amplifying student voices and supporting teachers with practical, science-backed strategies, better educational resources, and increased focus and funding, we can create classrooms where everyone thrives.

 

Our world and communities are depending on it! We are the change the world is wanting and needing and that change begins with the type of educational environment we are providing to our students!

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Get your copy of The Voice of the Student today and be part of the solution!

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Published April 2024 - Available in print and digital formats