Unconditional Education is about serving the students who need the most intensive level of support on a school campus while also positively impacting the culture and climate of that school community as a whole. Clinical Intervention Specialists Brittany Allinger and Caroline Larrieu Casias embody that mission every day through their outstanding work at Elmhurst United Middle School in Oakland.
Brittany (left) and Caroline (right) represent on Twin Day during Spirit Week this year
Schools in low-income communities face enormous challenges of resource scarcity as they fight to promote equity and social justice. Caroline and Brittany bring valuable clinical leadership to Elmhurst through their strengths-based approach to both the micro (student/family-focused) and macro (system-oriented) levels of practice.
Their work with students and families is grounded in respect, creativity, and cultural responsiveness. With empathy and courage, they facilitate deeper levels of communication, connection, and understanding among family members facing serious challenges. Through ongoing reflective practice, they continually explore how identity, power, and privilege impact their work.
Their work with students and families is grounded in respect, creativity, and cultural responsiveness. With empathy and courage, they facilitate deeper levels of communication, connection, and understanding among family members facing serious challenges. Through ongoing reflective practice, they continually explore how identity, power, and privilege impact their work.
Caroline and Brittany are often called upon to respond to behavioral and social-emotional student challenges and crises on campus. In addition to responding directly, they also bring a systemic lens to those situations by consulting with school leaders to build staff capacity and implement effective and efficient systems of student support.
One example of the Seneca team maximizing the secondary benefit of their presence at Elmhurst came last school year when Brittany partnered with another Elmhurst staff to design and present whole-class lessons to all 6th graders focused on healthy coping strategies in dealing with emotional challenges, raising awareness and promoting inclusive dialogue about the temptations and risks of self-harming behaviors.
One example of the Seneca team maximizing the secondary benefit of their presence at Elmhurst came last school year when Brittany partnered with another Elmhurst staff to design and present whole-class lessons to all 6th graders focused on healthy coping strategies in dealing with emotional challenges, raising awareness and promoting inclusive dialogue about the temptations and risks of self-harming behaviors.
Creativity is in full force in Caroline’s office where student insights are embedded into the works of art she co-creates with her students
With huge appreciation and respect to Caroline and Brittany for their work, as well as shout outs to other Seneca staff who’ve been a part of the Elmhurst/Seneca partnership over the last thirteen years, such as Mark Thibadeau (Clinician, 2007-2016), Amy Blair (Clinician and UE Coach, 2011-2016).
Blog Post Written By: Jason Keppe, Director of School Partnerships and Training Director
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