Trusted Dorm Parents

About the course

At OTA, we are on a mission to ensure that every young person can name at least one trained, motivated, and committed trusted adult at school. We are thrilled that you are looking to make it your mission too!
The Teams of Trusted Dorm Parents PD course is designed for maximum flexibility. Show the four 15-minute videos in one session with your team, or at four separate meetings.
Following the videos, lead a group discussion using the questions and exercises from the reflection guide that corresponds with each video. Note: Facilitators should download and distribute a copy of the reflection guide for each participant.
  • Strengthen connections and build community, setting the right tone for a successful year.
  • Renew your Dorm Parents' understanding of duty of care.
  • Reinforce child protection and mandated reporting responsibilities.
  • Facilitate a more nuanced and deeper discussion of boundaries that promote relational trust and prevent burnout. Apply strategies for maintaining momentum and making your work in boarding schools sustainable.
  •  Gain tools and language for assessing a young person’s needs, while remaining boundaried and within your scope of expertise.
  • Learn skills for communicating and working positively as a residential team.

Course Lessons

Brooklyn Raney

Dr. Brooklyn Raney is a research-practitioner who holds a BA from Colgate University, an MA in Educational Theater from NYU,  and an MS and EdD from the University of Pennsylvania. Brooklyn’s research explores the intersection of student perception, teacher sustainability, and parent expectation as it relates to an ethic of care in schools.

After 10 years in the classroom and as an administrator, she has spent the last five years conducting research, speaking and facilitating workshops with educators, parents, and youth serving professionals around the world.

Dr. Raney is the author of One Trusted Adult: How to Build Strong Connections & Healthy Boundaries with Young People and Successful Middle School: Adult Advocates. She is the founder of One Trusted Adult which is a company that provides advisory and student leadership programs and support that enhance climate and connections at school.

Brooklyn lives in Moultonborough, New Hampshire, with her husband, son, and two adventurous goldendoodles named Tuukka and Larry Bird.