Abilene ISD -

This year, Abilene ISD students will participate in a new program that underscores the district’s commitment to fostering positive learning environments through social and emotional support. This initiative ensures that our students thrive in a nurturing and encouraging atmosphere. 

Capturing Kids’ Hearts is a research-based program that helps K-12 educators build relationships with students and create positive learning environments. With training, expert coaching, a character-based curriculum for students, and personalized support, Capturing Kids’ Hearts equips professionals at all grade levels to implement transformational processes on social-emotional well-being, relationship-driven campus culture, and student connectedness. The program also provides a safety net of care and reassurance and provides the tools necessary to learn to deal with conflict, negative behavior, and disrespect issues.

Following a successful soft rollout last year, every elementary and middle school and the Woodson Center for Excellence will use the Capturing Kids’ Hearts program this year. AISD Director of Professional Learning and Instructional Technology Ross Thomas said it will be in use on every campus in the district beginning with the 2025-26 school year.

As the district rolled out the program on all four middle school campuses last year, immediate improvements were evident in several areas. In a promising sign for the program’s future in AISD, Mann Middle School principal Chad Drake witnessed firsthand how the program fosters a bond between teachers and students, leading to improved relationships and better meeting of social-emotional needs.

“My favorite component of CKH is a routine called ‘Good Things,’ ” Drake said. “All of our teachers start every class asking kids to share the good things going on in their lives. Those conversations set a positive tone for their time together.”

CKH promotes this kind of exercise, which Thomas hopes to see used throughout the district over the next two years.

“What we think of others, what we think of ourselves, and what others think of us is important,” he said. “Those paradigms drive our actions, and our actions drive results. We must recognize our paradigms and work to change those that drive practices and actions that don’t yield the desired results.”

Once fully implemented, CKH can promote academic rigor, teach more responsible behaviors, and improve relationships. The entire process provides teachers with the tools and skills to make a long-lasting impact on their students. When implemented consistently, CKH can lead to higher student achievement, improved attendance, fewer discipline referrals, lower dropout rates, and higher teacher satisfaction. Last year’s rollout on all four middle school campuses showed some consequential improvement in those areas.

“Capturing Kids’ Hearts had an immediate impact on the culture and climate of our campus,” Drake said. “The program provides teachers with easy-to-implement strategies that promote connection with students. Capturing Kids’ Hearts gives us tools to create authentic, positive environments in every classroom.”

Developing and refining relationships in the classroom and on campus are the centerpieces of Capturing Kids’ Hearts and are the main reason AISD is implementing the program on its campuses.

“So much of what we do today relates to our efficiency,” Thomas said. “How can we do a task – whatever it might be – faster? Unfortunately, that has carried over to our relationships. Real relationships are effective, not efficient. CKH and other programs are necessary for all schools to guide us toward more effective relationships.”