Revisiting my values on an ongoing basis is import Revisiting my values on an ongoing basis is important to help me remain anchored and aligned. 
If you’ve ever wondered about the values that “live” under my practice, here they are…it is my hope that these are observed and felt by my audiences and clients with every encounter 💛

I’ll be totally transparent: Some values come more naturally to me, while others feel like “heavy lifting” because they require me to undo my conditioning or reflexive ways of being. Joy, for example, is something I’m learning to trust and I’ve found the best way for me to access my joy is through gratitude. Joy, for me, is not loud or rambunctious—it’s a deep appreciation for life and is rooted in the present moment.

One value that seems to come a little easier for me is Belonging. It is so important to me that people feel valued for who they are—and do not feel they need to shape-shift or hide. A sense of safety, in my opinion and experience, is a pre-requisite to making learning possible. 

I also like to create reflection questions to go with my values, as this helps me both in-the-moment and when I’m stepping back from complex situations. It immediately shifts me into curiosity around how I’m doing this work and often reveals opportunities for me to proceed with intentionality. 

Which specific Values drive your practice? 💭🤔And how do these Values “show up” in your work? Feel free to share in the comments!
Raising Resilient Children in Today’s World💪 March Raising Resilient Children in Today’s World💪
March 12 @ 6:30 PM (in person & virtual)
Algonquin College, Pembroke
Register here➡️: https://www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke/event/the-bramburger-speaker-series-presents-mary-hewitt-raising-resilient-children-in-todays-world/
In June 2024, I was hired to begin a series of ses In June 2024, I was hired to begin a series of sessions with the County of Renfrew’s Community Services Team, with the intention of deepening their Trauma-Informed practices when delivering services such as Housing, Ontario Works, and Child Care. 

Together, we explored concepts like the role Childhood Trauma, ACEs and Trauma’s impact on the Lifespan, Toxic Stress, Hidden Neglect, the role of Attachment in relationships, the nuances of Moral Injury, Affective vs. Cognitive Empathy, Emotional Competence, AND an array of strategies and mindsets to coincide with these themes. 

In every session, a takeaway I always carried home with me was just how crucial a role these frontline individuals play within the community. Many times, they are the arms that hold people up when life hits the hardest, providing them with essential services they need…while reminding them of their worth and agency. They are also the ones who are presented with heaps of broad deliverables and, by way of really “truly seeing” their community, they find ways to make those deliverables meaningful at a local level. No small task.

As such, this group made the very real investment these past couple of years in ensuring they are equipped with the tools and understandings to approach their work through a trauma-informed lens. Why? Because they recognize the importance of early experiences in the trajectory of one’s life and, when they are called on for support, they want to ensure they always lead with compassion. 

Yet again, the @countyofrenfrew is exemplifying their aptitude to be forward-thinking in the face of local challenges. As a facilitator AND local community member, I want to thank them for the way they showed up to each session with an attitude of dedication, openness, and reflection on some very difficult topics—unafraid to face “the hard” in service of “the better” for their community💛
@countyofrenfrew
Life lately 🩷✨ Wishing everyone a wonderful Family Life lately 🩷✨
Wishing everyone a wonderful Family Day.
“Professional development is much more than traini “Professional development is much more than training. 
It’s an ongoing commitment to personal and collective growth, an invitation to curiosity, and a renewal of openness.” ✨
Surprise e-mails from clients after sessions are s Surprise e-mails from clients after sessions are so, so special💛 I feel so fortunate to be doing this work together with you! 
My 2026 schedule is shaping up quickly, and I can’t wait to see what this year will bring!
Let’s go! 🪄✨
📌 Looking forward to a month full of connection, r 📌 Looking forward to a month full of connection, reflection, and joy! ✨
This year, I'm kicking off 2026 with some terrific PD offerings all across Ontario!

I hope to see you there!
A new poem/reflection today on some of the big ide A new poem/reflection today on some of the big ideas we discuss a lot as Educators.
Happy Friday💛

#engagement #expression #well-being #belonging #howdoeslearninghappen
Thanks for the memories! 🎉 2025 was a pivotal year Thanks for the memories! 🎉
2025 was a pivotal year for Unlocking Childhood, full of new relationships, deepened practice, and personal transformation—and I can’t wait to share what I’ve got in store for 2026!🤫🤭…

With so much gratitude, thank you for supporting a dream come true 💛 

Wishing you all a beautiful new year, and I hope our paths continue to cross along the way! ✨
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The Child, The Self · July 16, 2025

The World Needs Our Softness

All that SoftnessDo not mistake her gentlenessfor weakness.It takes a spine of steelto carry all that softness.~Jessica Kantrowitz When I first heard this poem, I knew it connected to my work. As many of you know, one of the topics…

Read More

Revisiting my values on an ongoing basis is import Revisiting my values on an ongoing basis is important to help me remain anchored and aligned. 
If you’ve ever wondered about the values that “live” under my practice, here they are…it is my hope that these are observed and felt by my audiences and clients with every encounter 💛

I’ll be totally transparent: Some values come more naturally to me, while others feel like “heavy lifting” because they require me to undo my conditioning or reflexive ways of being. Joy, for example, is something I’m learning to trust and I’ve found the best way for me to access my joy is through gratitude. Joy, for me, is not loud or rambunctious—it’s a deep appreciation for life and is rooted in the present moment.

One value that seems to come a little easier for me is Belonging. It is so important to me that people feel valued for who they are—and do not feel they need to shape-shift or hide. A sense of safety, in my opinion and experience, is a pre-requisite to making learning possible. 

I also like to create reflection questions to go with my values, as this helps me both in-the-moment and when I’m stepping back from complex situations. It immediately shifts me into curiosity around how I’m doing this work and often reveals opportunities for me to proceed with intentionality. 

Which specific Values drive your practice? 💭🤔And how do these Values “show up” in your work? Feel free to share in the comments!
Raising Resilient Children in Today’s World💪 March Raising Resilient Children in Today’s World💪
March 12 @ 6:30 PM (in person & virtual)
Algonquin College, Pembroke
Register here➡️: https://www.algonquincollege.com/pembroke/event/the-bramburger-speaker-series-presents-mary-hewitt-raising-resilient-children-in-todays-world/
In June 2024, I was hired to begin a series of ses In June 2024, I was hired to begin a series of sessions with the County of Renfrew’s Community Services Team, with the intention of deepening their Trauma-Informed practices when delivering services such as Housing, Ontario Works, and Child Care. 

Together, we explored concepts like the role Childhood Trauma, ACEs and Trauma’s impact on the Lifespan, Toxic Stress, Hidden Neglect, the role of Attachment in relationships, the nuances of Moral Injury, Affective vs. Cognitive Empathy, Emotional Competence, AND an array of strategies and mindsets to coincide with these themes. 

In every session, a takeaway I always carried home with me was just how crucial a role these frontline individuals play within the community. Many times, they are the arms that hold people up when life hits the hardest, providing them with essential services they need…while reminding them of their worth and agency. They are also the ones who are presented with heaps of broad deliverables and, by way of really “truly seeing” their community, they find ways to make those deliverables meaningful at a local level. No small task.

As such, this group made the very real investment these past couple of years in ensuring they are equipped with the tools and understandings to approach their work through a trauma-informed lens. Why? Because they recognize the importance of early experiences in the trajectory of one’s life and, when they are called on for support, they want to ensure they always lead with compassion. 

Yet again, the @countyofrenfrew is exemplifying their aptitude to be forward-thinking in the face of local challenges. As a facilitator AND local community member, I want to thank them for the way they showed up to each session with an attitude of dedication, openness, and reflection on some very difficult topics—unafraid to face “the hard” in service of “the better” for their community💛
@countyofrenfrew
Life lately 🩷✨ Wishing everyone a wonderful Family Life lately 🩷✨
Wishing everyone a wonderful Family Day.
“Professional development is much more than traini “Professional development is much more than training. 
It’s an ongoing commitment to personal and collective growth, an invitation to curiosity, and a renewal of openness.” ✨
Surprise e-mails from clients after sessions are s Surprise e-mails from clients after sessions are so, so special💛 I feel so fortunate to be doing this work together with you! 
My 2026 schedule is shaping up quickly, and I can’t wait to see what this year will bring!
Let’s go! 🪄✨
📌 Looking forward to a month full of connection, r 📌 Looking forward to a month full of connection, reflection, and joy! ✨
This year, I'm kicking off 2026 with some terrific PD offerings all across Ontario!

I hope to see you there!
A new poem/reflection today on some of the big ide A new poem/reflection today on some of the big ideas we discuss a lot as Educators.
Happy Friday💛

#engagement #expression #well-being #belonging #howdoeslearninghappen
Thanks for the memories! 🎉 2025 was a pivotal year Thanks for the memories! 🎉
2025 was a pivotal year for Unlocking Childhood, full of new relationships, deepened practice, and personal transformation—and I can’t wait to share what I’ve got in store for 2026!🤫🤭…

With so much gratitude, thank you for supporting a dream come true 💛 

Wishing you all a beautiful new year, and I hope our paths continue to cross along the way! ✨
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