Book: Creating Emotionally Safe Schools, 2nd edition

It’s here!! A Guide for Parents & Educators-2nd edition

by Dr. Jane Bluestein and Tom Hierck

Note: Order from Amazon now (Kindle or paperback editions available) OR Order directly from the publisher, Solution Tree. 

Shorter, tighter, and even more read readable, this updated, research-based book covers all the bases—including, social, neurological, emotional, academic, cultural and physical factors that impact the emotional climate of a school, our ability as educators to build community in our schools, and how safe schools feel to the people who spend their time there, kids and grownups alike.

Topics include:

    • safety and the brain
    • childhood stress, coping, and compention
    • body and mind
    • violence in kids’ lives
    • the changing role of school
    • the need for community
    • the school as a dysfunctional family
    • failure, discrimination, and belonging
    • testing and feedback
    • temperament and labels
    • different ways of learning and being “smart”
    • discipline and behavioral issues
    • resiliency and social competence
    • the physical environment
    • teacher safety, training and support
    • the role of the administrator
    • parents and community

Discover the many contributing factors in this groundbreaking sourcebook on emotional safety in schools, with current research, facts, and personal anecdotes capable of changing the state of education. An excellent text for teacher education classes, administration, counselors, and study groups. As relevant today as it was when it was first released, perhaps even more so.

Praise for the new edition:

“In Creating Emotionally Safe Schools, Jane Bluestein and Tom Hierck present an optimistic view of what the future can be. By focusing on proactive strategies, we can all work and learn in safe, accepting, and respectful schools.”
—Peter Marshall, Educational Consultant and Author

“Jane Bluestein and Tom Hierck examine what helps students thrive instead of merely survive and offer concrete proposals to help educators build safe classrooms and schools.”
—John Moncure, Board Member of Montessori Educational Programs International

Creating Emotionally Safe Schools entrusts educators to recognize what is occurring in our environments and refrains from making a simple list of steps for safety.”
—Cynthia Risner, Educational Consultant

“Jane Bluestein and Tom Hierck have hit a home run with the second edition of Creating Emotionally Safe Schools. The book is packed with information, ideas, and strategies that are perfect for the issues today’s educators are facing in their work with children. This is a must-have book for those who teach and support students.”
—John Eller, Educational Consultant and Author

“I’m thrilled that Jane and Tom have tackled this important and overlooked topic. Practical ideas for implementing emotionally safe classrooms today.
—Chick Moorman Author of TEACHER TALK: The Five Voices of Effective Teaching

“WOW!!! This book needs to be in every school — and every classroom.  The authors really did their homework and got to the essence of the emotions that drive every student (and teachers as well). I love the way the authors loaded the pages with practical strategies that are easy-to-implement and in tune with all ages and abilities.  They truly make the case for head and heart together to help ALL students succeed!
—Dr. Kathy Perez, lifetime educator,  Professor Emerita, author, international consultant

Read the Rave Reviews for the original version of Creating Emotionally Safe Schools.

Order Creating Emotionally Safe Schools, 2nd edition by Jane Bluestein and Tom Hierck. 272 pages.

Paperback from Amazon, $36.05; Kindle edition $37.67.

 Purchase from Amazon (Paperback or Kindle)

$48.95 direct from publisher.

Purchase from the publisher, Solution Tree 

View the entire bibliography of Creating Emotionally Safe Schools. These are the resources used in the original book. The second edition includes resources and references to more current research and information. 

Read excerpts from the original version Creating Emotionally Safe Schools:

• “Testing, Testing…”
• Bouncing Back: The Art of Resiliency
• Pretty and Popular
• Spare the Rod
• Brave New World: The Changing Role of the School
• I’m Hyperactive, You’re Hyperactive (not included in 2nd edition)
Bearing Witness: Support for Children in Crisis

Read an interview with questions and answers by Dr. Jane Bluestein

ORDER DIRECT! Order directly from the publisher OR order the Kindle edition or paperback from Amazon.

Products page. Products are listed alphabetically.

General ordering information.

© 2012, 2026, Dr. Jane Bluestein

Please support this site: This website is an ongoing labor of love, with a fair number of expenses involved. Your support will help offset the cost of continual training, technical assistance, and translators, allowing me to continue to maintain the site, add helpful and inspiring new content and links, and keep the site ad-free. Donate here

 

4 Responses

  1. Hi Jane,

    I work with Jo Ann Freiberg at the CT State Department of Education. We are looking to order 150 of your Creating Emotionally Safe Schools. Are you able to accept a Purchase Order for them? What would be the cost for 150 books that we will use to give to school staff who attend the Improving School Climate trainings that the CSDE provides?

    Thanks,
    Kathleen Wedge
    Education Consultant

    1. Thank you, Kathleen. I’ve done a great deal of work in Connecticut and Jo Ann has been a wonderful advocate for this book. We’ve taken care of your order and the books are on their way to you now. Many thanks, once again. Please let me know if there is anything else you need and feel free to use any material from this site that will be helpful in your trainings. (No licensing necessary. Only a request to keep my name and the URL on any materials you duplicate. Help yourself!) —Jane