TEAMS – Teacher Empowerment And Meaningful Support 

We are here to support teachers throughout the Treasure Coast

Free Virtual Meetings on Second Tuesday of Each Month at 4:30 pm

Teachers across the Treasure Coast are taking advantage of and benefitting from free support provided by Tykes & Teens’ program TEAMS – Teacher Empowerment And Meaningful Support.

We provide this confidential virtual support group for teachers the second Tuesday of each month with the support of Children’s Services Council of Martin and St. Lucie Counties, and Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Services.

“We know our teachers are working harder than ever and facing even greater pressures during a pandemic, and we want you to know we are here for you,” says Dorothy Oppenhesier, Tykes & Teens Director of Prevention Services and Trauma Informed Care Trainer who leads TEAMS.  “TEAMS is an excellent opportunity for teachers to have a safe place to share their personal experiences and feelings and receive coping strategies in a confidential space of mutual understanding and support.”

“As a long-time educator and Tykes & Teens’ Director of Prevention Service and Trauma Informed Care Trainer, Dorothy personally relates to what teachers are going through and provides excellent support and guidance through our TEAMS support group,” says Tykes & Teens Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Agnieszka Marshall, Psy.D., CAP.

Teachers participating in the group are encouraging others to take advantage of the TEAMS support group, saying:  “TEAMS has been so helpful;” and “I wish more teachers would take advantage of this group.”

TEAMS is moderated by:

• Dorothy Oppenheiser – Tykes & Teens Director of Prevention Services, long-time school administrator and educator
• Dr. Chris White – Tykes & Teens Trauma Informed Care Coordinator, experienced teacher and university instructor

For more information and to register for TEAMS, email dorothyo@tykesandteens.org or chrisw@tykesandteens.org.

Dorothy Oppenhesier is Tykes & Teens’ Director of Prevention Services and Trauma Informed Care Trainer, as well as a long-time school educator and administrator.  She provides training in trauma informed care, motivational interviewing, mindfulness and compassion fatigue. She is an experienced educational consultant with a demonstrated history of working in the education and healthcare management industry, and is skilled in career education, special education, child advocacy, staff development and student counseling.  She is a former middle and high school teacher and was also a high school assistant principal and principal.  In addition, she has worked with 50 school districts to evaluate and implement comprehensive health education curriculum that included social emotional health.  She received her Bachelor of Science, Health Education and Sociology certification in teaching from Western Michigan University and her Graduate in Public Administration with an emphasis in health care from the University of Michigan-Flint.  She holds a School Principal Certification and is a certified Mental Health First Aid Trainer and Michigan Model for Health Trainer.

Dr. Chris White is Tykes & Teens’ Trauma Informed Care Coordinator, a college instructor and a long-time school educator and administrator.  She facilitates our trauma informed care series sessions throughout the Treasure Coast.  She is an experienced professional development facilitator whose passions include culturally responsive classroom management, equity and teacher education. She is a former elementary teacher and before she came to Tykes & Teens she directed an urban teacher residency program.  She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education and her Master of Education in Leadership from the University of North Florida and her doctorate in Curriculum, Teaching and Teacher Education from the University of Florida.  Chris is happy to be a part of the Tykes & Teens organization so that she can continue to support teachers and agencies that serve youth on the Treasure Coast.