Calmer Classrooms, Stronger Programs:

Practical Co-Regulation Tools for Head Start

with Lee Sowles, MPH of Kind Mind

Who is Lee Sowles?

Head Start teams are carrying a lot, and many of the hardest moments in the day happen during predictable “hot spots” such as arrival, transitions, group time, mealtimes, and pickup. This interactive session will show Head Start Center Directors and Educators how to use simple, regulation-first practices to reduce escalations, strengthen connections, and create calmer, more consistent classrooms without adding one more thing to an already full plate.

Grounded in Kind Mind evidence-based, trauma-informed approach, this session begins with teacher support: practical tools and professional learning that help adults understand co-regulation and use it confidently during challenging moments. From there, participants will explore classroom practices that help children build regulation skills during everyday routines so they can reset, reconnect, and return to learning.

Finally, the session connects these practices to program-level impact, including more consistent routines across classrooms, increased teacher confidence, and stronger alignment across classrooms.

Participants will leave with practical strategies they can use right away, along with a clearer understanding of how regulation support can benefit educators, children, and the broader Head Start environment.

Lee Sowles is the founder and creator of Kind Mind, an evidence-based social and emotional learning program that transforms how children and educators develop essential life skills. With over two decades of dedicated practice and professional expertise spanning early childhood development, trauma-informed care, and public health, Lee brings a unique blend of personal insight and scientific rigor to her work. Drawing from her transformative journey of healing trauma and cultivating social-emotional wellness through mind-body practices, Lee developed Kind Mind's innovative framework to help children and teachers embody SEL skills through practical, research-based applications designed for lifelong impact. Her approach integrates compassion science with resilience principles, creating sustainable change in educational communities. Lee's vision extends beyond individual transformation to systemic change. She is passionate about inspiring educational institutions with innovative, compassion-centered approaches that build wellness communities at every level. Her deep commitment to service, inclusion, and evidence-based practice drives Kind Mind's mission to address and prevent the mental health challenges facing today's students and educators.

Education & Certifications

  • Master of Public Health, Northeastern University (2013)

  • Mindful Schools Certification (2017)

  • Applied Compassion Certified Trainer, Stanford University (2019-2020)

  • Northeastern The Roux Institute Founder Residency Program (2024-2025)

  • Northeastern’s Women Who Empower Innovator Fellowship Award (2025-2026)

Expertise Areas

  • Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

  • Early Childhood Development

  • Trauma-Informed Practice

  • Applied Compassion Science

  • Public Health & Wellness

  • Educational Innovation

Lee believes that now is the time to cultivate seeds of compassion one person at a time, transforming educational environments into thriving communities where both students and educators can flourish.

lee@kindmindeducation.com / 646-265-5201 / www.kindmindeducation.com