About Calming Young Minds Mental Health, De-Escalation, Trauma, and Restorative Practices in Teens
If you’re an educator or social worker who wants to make a real difference in the lives of struggling teens, Calming Young Minds is the book for you. Written by Joseph S. McQueen, an education consultant, and director of alternative education with over 20 years of experience working with at-risk youth, this book offers a unique perspective on understanding mental health, de-escalation, trauma, and restorative practices in teens. McQueen’s book delivers an authentic, research-based approach to understanding and working with kids who struggle with social-emotional issues.
Unlike other books on the topic, Calming Young Minds draws from real-world experience and practical, research-based solutions that have been tested and proven effective in the trenches of the classroom. McQueen knows firsthand what it’s like to work with kids whom others have written off, and here he shares his hard-won insights and strategies. With strikingly positive feedback from educators and social workers who have attended his training and presentations, McQueen’s book is both practical and inspiring. Whether you’re a teacher, social worker, or another professional who works with kids, Calming Young Minds is an essential resource for understanding and supporting the emotional needs of today’s youth.
Calming Young Minds is a call to action for anyone who cares about our children’s and society’s future.
If you’re an educator or social worker who wants to make a real difference in the lives of struggling teens, Calming Young Minds is the book for you. Written by Joseph S. McQueen, an education consultant, and director of alternative education with over 20 years of experience working with at-risk youth, this book offers a unique perspective on understanding mental health, de-escalation, trauma, and restorative practices in teens. McQueen’s book delivers an authentic, research-based approach to understanding and working with kids who struggle with social-emotional issues.
Unlike other books on the topic, Calming Young Minds draws from real-world experience and practical, research-based solutions that have been tested and proven effective in the trenches of the classroom. McQueen knows firsthand what it’s like to work with kids whom others have written off, and here he shares his hard-won insights and strategies. With strikingly positive feedback from educators and social workers who have attended his training and presentations, McQueen’s book is both practical and inspiring. Whether you’re a teacher, social worker, or another professional who works with kids, Calming Young Minds is an essential resource for understanding and supporting the emotional needs of today’s youth.
Calming Young Minds is a call to action for anyone who cares about our children’s and society’s future.
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Author Bio:
Joe McQueen M. ED:
I am the director of alternative education for the Regional Office of Education #33. I have over twenty years’ experience in the field of mental health. I was a LBS1 teacher, special education coordinator, and a residential treatment specialist. I am an author and have been working as a dynamic trainer and speaker for the past five years, presenting at national conferences and working with various schools in west central Illinois.
Author of the Book: Calming Young Minds Mental Health, De-Escalation, Trauma, and Restorative Practices in Teens
I am a U.S military veteran (GO NAVY), a husband of over 20 years and a father to 3 amazing daughters. I have happily dedicated the last 25 years working and teaching in the field of special education with an emphasis on students with mental and emotional disabilities. I started working in a residential treatment center (RTC) in 1999 after honorably discharging from the Navy. I worked with kids ages 6-14 with severe mental and emotional disabilities. Many had been victims of horrific abuse. During this time, I completed my undergraduate degree as a learning behavioral specialist (LBS1) at Illinois State University (home of the Red Birds). After graduation I taught a 4th-6th grade self-contained behavior disorder class (now called emotional disabilities), throughout this time I also became certified to do drug and alcohol counseling while working at an RTC on a Gang unit, outside of Chicago for 16-19-year-old inmates' wanting to get a sentence reduction or early parole. So I did teacher by day councilor by night for 5 years before I had to let go of the night job.
I eventually moved into the high school setting and had helped develop behavioral programs for our co-op elementary schools.
I was offered a job in sunny Phoenix Arizona so my wife and 3 daughters set out on a new adventure. I worked at a day school for 6 years where I was an IEP coordinator, transitions coordinator and teacher. I learned a lot and had a great time. After weathering the heat a few years, the prospect to move north away from the inferno summers of Phoenix arose I saw opportunity knocking. I got to return to my first love RTC work. I loved the work and the opportunity to work with emotional and behavioral kids again. I spent 5 years as the Director of education at an all-girl RTC located in the secluded mountains of Prescott Valley Arizona. We are one of the top facilities in the nation for sexually exploited teens.
I have been blessed that the majority of my career has been spent working with teens in the gang, substance abuse and sexually exploited population.
I am currently the director of alternative programming for the Regional office of education in Galesburg Illinois. I over see two campuses with over 100 students all in alternative programs for various reasons, from expulsion, sever acting out behavior and anxiety or truancy.