Jeff Veley’s Blog
Expert insight for grownups featuring advice for parents, educators, and mental health professionals.
Host a Speaker or School Assembly for Red Ribbon Week
Students say "no" to drugs, alcohol, and violence Red Ribbon Week 2018 will take place October 23-31 at schools across the country. Donning a red ribbon, many students will pledge to live drug free, as part of on-campus activities. Sponsored by the National Family...
Bullying Prevention Expert Speaks to Middle School Students
Recently the "Love Changes It All Tour" visited middle schools in Henry County, Virginia. As part of the school's Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) program, they invited me to train their middle school students and staff with skills to stop social...
Broken Wings, ArtPrize Piece Sheds Light on Bullying, School Shootings
For ten years, artist Pamela Alderman has entered ArtPrize, the largest international art competition, based in Grand Rapids, MI. This year, Alderman is using butterflies to foster healing discussions around the topics of bullying and school shootings in her piece...
Back to School Bullying
There are many things to do before the first school bell rings. Across the nation, students, parents, and teachers are preparing to head back to school once again. One of the most concerning issues at this time of year is shared among students and their parents -...
What Do I Do If My Kid is a Bully?
Dealing with bullying is never fun. While most parents fear that their kid will be the victim of bullying, some find out that their child's negative behavior has found them labeled as the school "bully". If you get this news, as a parent, you may find yourself...
Curriculum Helps Schools Change Campus Culture in 15 Minutes a Week
Schools across the country are looking for creative ways to tackle issues like bullying, fighting, and general "unkind" behaviors. With concerns over teen anxiety and school safety at an all time high, educators want to make drastic changes to ensure that the...
Secrets to a Rocking Professional Development Training
How to create empowering learning experiences As kids will soon be heading back to school, administrators are busy planning for the upcoming year and that means putting together staff in-service trainings. Over the last eight years, I have trained thousands of...
The Campus Peace-Building Initiative: Helping Shape School Culture
Across America, schools are seeking solutions for how to deal with the growing problem of aggression on campus. From bullying to more violent acts like school shootings, the need for training programs, policies, and procedures couldn't be more prevelant. While some...
How Do I Make My Kids Behave in Public
I was recently traumatized while out to eat with some friends as I watched a small child torment her parents. In minutes, I watched a child who was not getting her way turn a small fit into a full-on a chase around the entire restaurant, including a parent in hot...
13 Reasons Why: What Happens in Season 2? What Parents and Educators Need to Know
Netflix Makes Changes to Controversial Hit Show Season 2 of 13 Reasons Why hit Netflix today with 13 new episodes. Continuing where Season 1 left off, we find out that there's still much to learn about the life and death of Hannah Baker. As the show says "Just...
Balancing Indoor and Outdoor Time
As much as kids and parents may buck the schedule, there's no doubt that establishing some structure during your week, can ease everyone's anxiety and give you things to look forward to. One thing that's important to put on the calendar is outside time. Recently I...
Cultivating Your Child’s Passion
Every kid has dreams, talents, and passions. One of the greatest opportunities as a parent is the ability to cheer your child on and help the grow to accomplish their goals. Listening to "The Warning" from Monterrey, Mexico makes me wonder what involvement their...
Students Use Reporting Hotline to Bully Peers
A hotline designed to make schools safe is now being used by students to bully others. Now, lawmakers and school officials are scrambling in an effort to address false reports made through Safe2Tell. The hotline was created after the Columbine shooting so that...
A Simple Tip to Boost Student Achievement
Teens today are more anxious than ever before. The world's stressors are great, communication is constant, and it all can get overwhelming very quickly. All too often, I see parents with the best intentions add to this stress and the pressure can break even the...
Helping Kids Learn Coping Skills
It's true that coping skills are becoming a popular topic of conversation, as we seek to reduce stress and find our happy places, once again. In an era where adult coloring has become a fad and millenials are opening coffee shops where you can pet cats while sipping...
The Words of Rachel Joy Scott
As we reflect on the devistation caused by the recent school shootings across America, there is no doubt that change needs to happen. While it's easy to point out what others might do to help solve the problem, we must also ask the question what you can do to be part...
National School Walkout Day
Today, many students across America will leave their classrooms at 10 am to demand change when it comes to guns and school safety. In talking with educators, parents, and community members about National School Walkout Day, some believe this demonstration will...
The Power of Forgiveness
Unforgiveness is like drinking poison and hoping it kills the other person. Harboring negative thoughts only harms the person holding onto them. When you think of forgiveness in this way, you can quickly understand why it's one of the most powerful gifts you can...
How to Prevent School Shootings
Last Wednesday, upon returning from a day of speaking in Missouri, I got off the plane and was met with the news of yet another school shooting. I quickly learned that an expelled student had claimed the lives of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in...
Investing When Others Run Away
If you want to freak out an enemy in your life, follow today's tip. Whether it's someone that you are consistently at odds with or simply someone who posts a rude comment on social media, showing kindness and making an investment in someone when conflict brews will...
Viewing Disagreements as Opportunities
Recently I had to work through a challenging disagreement with a friend. To be honest, I didn't know how it was going to go. It was one of those conversations that you dread, but know needs to happen. While I knew that things could go south really quickly, I made...
Meet Madelyn, A Student Peace Ambassador
Each week I drop some nuggets of wisdom challenging you to love well. This week, I've invited my friend Madelyn Johnson, a student who is currently traveling the country, promoting peace and showing love in many places. I met Madelyn a few years back, while speaking...
Leaving a Legacy
Yesterday I attended a funeral for a retired police officer and military veteran who passed away suddenly. Standing in Texas cemetary with the cold wind blowing across my face, time seemed to slow down as I listened to the words of the chaplain who was officiating. ...
Parenting Lessons from Wal Mart
I have to admit that when I first started in the social work field, I would occasionally visit Wal Mart to gather illustrations on parenting. The people were always there and the demonstrations never disappointed. Before you call me creepy, recognize that you do...
Making Time in the New Year
As you set goals in 2018, I want to challenge you to think not only about personal goals but also goals for your family. How do you want to love each other in 2018? What things will you put in place to help you do so? Research shows that writing down your goals...
Merry Christmas to You!
Enjoy this joyous time of year with those that you love most and spread a little love and kindness to someone that you don't know. Together, we can make the world a little brighter.
How to Manage Your Emotions
It's the holiday season and, among the hustle and bustle are a few extra opportunities to get your feathers ruffled. Stress levels during "the most wonderful time of the year" tend to be at all-time high. As you prepare for many family gatherings, prepare food,...
What To Do When You Feel Unappreciated
This year marks the 25th anniversary of “The 5 Love Languages” by Dr. Gary Chapman. The book is not only a classic for how to love well in relationships, but it’s also helped me solve a number of conflicts with people that I deeply care for. It’s amazing how things...
Building Self-Confidence
I recently read an article in the Dallas News. The title immediately peaked my interest. The headline read "Lawnmower Parents are Raising a Generation of Kids Who Struggle with Adversity". Penned by Ramy Mahmoud, a teacher in Plano, TX, the article talks about how...
Helping Improve District Policies on Aggression
As my team and I help schools across the country learn the best practices to respond to aggressive behaviors on campus, we've noticed a specific need arise. After training the students, staff, and parents on the "Peace Sign Approach" to social aggression, schools are...