From Surviving to Thriving: Making School a Sanctuary for Newcomers and All Learners

When students feel safe, seen, and supported, they learn. Yet many arrive carrying unspoken fear, loss, or displacement—and for them, school can (and should) be a sanctuary. Drawing from a powerful personal story and classroom examples, Chidi introduces LIVE: Listen with empathy, Include diverse perspectives, Validate student experiences, and Empower with tools. You’ll experience LIVE in action through mini-demonstrations, micro-practice, and ready-to-use resources (one-page prompts, routines, and checklists). Expect evidence-informed, culturally responsive strategies that fit real classrooms and Alberta contexts, with special attention to newcomer learners. You’ll leave with a clear plan to build calm, connection, and capacity—without adding to teacher burnout. Kidnapped at gunpoint and held for ransom, Chidi Iwuchukwu lives to share his remarkable journey from overcoming harrowing life experiences to become “The PRO Guy- Persistent, Resilient and Optimistic” and it rings true in every sense of the words. His amazing story of survival and thriving will wow your audience. Watch as he uses impactful story telling, insightful questions, and engagement on your stage to share on staring terror, trauma and torture in the face, coming back from the brink, imperatives of self-care, actionable insights to transform self-care ideas into reality, and practical and battle-tested strategies to build resilience. Learning Outcomes (measurable) By the end, participants will be able to: 1. Use three short “LIVE” listening prompts that de-escalate student anxiety in under two minutes. 2. Redesign one routine (entry, partner work, or assessment) to include diverse voices and assets. 3. Apply a validation script that acknowledges emotion without minimizing it and sets a supportive next step.