Alphabet of the Heart

A Curriculum for Grades 6-12

We are experiencing a time of unprecedented uncertainty and change, and in response, Thriving YOUniversity has created a year-long curriculum of strategies, practices, and activities which explore key components of human resilience and how we can cultivate a transformational culture in which all students and staff can thrive. Additionally, this curriculum helps to strengthen a shared focus on stakeholder well-being and creates a common language for educators to use with their students, parents, and staff. 

This engaging and meaningful curriculum is based on the research and writings of Dr. James Doty -- Neurosurgeon, Director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research (CCARE) at Stanford University, Keynote Speaker, and Author of Into the Magic Shop ; A Neurosurgeon’s Quest to Discover the Mysteries of the Brain and The Secrets of the Heart. In Thriving YOUniversity’s partnership with Dr. Doty, we have designed Alphabet of the Heart to provide educators with the research, tools, and inspiration to ignite a school culture that prioritizes student and staff well-being and social emotional competencies.

Alphabet of the Heart focuses on 10 key values that have been shown to literally change the pathways of the brain. These are: compassion, dignity, equanimity, forgiveness, gratitude, humility, integrity, justice, kindness and love.  The curriculum, which educators will access through an online portal, is designed to highlight one value each month beginning with the letter C: Compassion. Each month, the educator will receive lesson objectives, conversation starters, downloadable printouts to customize in the classroom, videos that help define and demonstrate the power of the featured value, as well as interactive activities to build belonging, cultivate connection and empower engagement among students. The strategies and practices can be done in order (alphabetically) or modules can be implemented in any order the educator chooses.

Stress among students, teachers, and educational leaders is rocketing. If we really want to reach and teach students, it is time for us to prioritize well-being for all stakeholders and provide strategies and practices to strengthen resilience. Alphabet of the Heart provides a powerful pathway to build these foundational skills.