Dr. Amy Miner, FounderIn Focus Education Group addresses this intersection by providing research-based, teacher-informed well-being curriculum designed to strengthen classrooms and school systems.
In Focus approaches well-being as more than a collection of social and emotional lessons. It views well-being as a comprehensive framework that incorporates the conditions and competencies required for students and educators to thrive. The research-based framework is based on foundational needs such as basic needs, safety, and, connection, while also developing skills related to physical, social, emotional, mental, and academic well-being for students. For educators, the framework emphasizes professional well-being as an essential component of creating successful learning environments.
Dr. Amy Miner, founder of In Focus Education Group, explains that the company’s mission centers on helping schools create environments where people can perform at their highest potential. “Our mission is to ensure that students and educators thrive. When we intentionally teach and reinforce the conditions and competencies of well-being, students and educators do their best work and are their best selves,” she says.
Designing Curriculum around Real School Needs
Rather than creating resources in isolation, In Focus Education Group develops its curriculum through continuous collaboration and partnership with educators, administrators, students, and families. Teacher feedback plays a central role in identifying emerging challenges and shaping new lessons that address practical needs in schools.
When the company began developing its student well-being curriculum, it engaged teacher focus groups across multiple states to understand the skills needed for student success in school and beyond. Those conversations initially led to a curriculum focused on essential areas such as communication, critical thinking, kindness, and problem-solving. As the needs hanged, the curriculum expanded to address new challenges.
For example, educators identified a need for students to better understand how their words impact others, leading to the creation of lessons focused on the power of words. This year, In Focus reached out to educators across the country to learn more about their needs. The response- challenging behaviors! In response, In Focus created a grade level specific behavior series addressing everything from creating connected classrooms to dealing with more challenging behaviors such as defiance, impulsivity, and aggression.
This ongoing partnership allows In Focus to adapt alongside schools. Through direct communication channels, educators can provide feedback, request resources, and share observations that inform future curriculum development.
Making Well-Being Practical for Educators
Many schools recognize the importance of social emotional learning and whole child development but face challenges when attempting to implement new initiatives. Limited planning time, competing priorities, and uncertainty about integrating well-being into academic instruction become the barriers to sustainable implementation.
In Focus Education Group addresses these barriers by creating ready-to-use lessons that require minimal preparation. Each lesson includes supporting materials such as activities, videos, discussion prompts, handouts, videos, and read-alouds, allowing educators to integrate well-being instruction into their existing schedules without extensive planning.
In Focus also aligns well-being lessons with academic standards. By demonstrating how skills such as perseverance, communication, and problem-solving align with existing learning objectives, In Focus Education Group helps educators understand that well-being is not separate from academic instruction. Instead, these skills are already aligned in the academic standards.
In Focus further helps schools create a unified approach by using student data and school priorities to identify the most relevant lessons. With dozens of lessons available for each grade level, schools can focus on the areas that will have the greatest impact rather than attempting to implement every lesson at once.
Research-Based Solutions Created by Educators
The foundation of In Focus Education Group’s approach is built on research and classroom experience. Its curriculum draws from established educational frameworks, including multi-tiered systems of support, professional learning communities, and positive behavior interventions and supports.
Equally important, the curriculum is created by educators who understand the realities of schools. Teachers, counselors, and administrators contribute to lesson development, ensuring that resources reflect the challenges and opportunities found in real classrooms- thus increasing relevance and engagement.
Miner highlights this connection between research and practice as a defining element of the company’s work. “Our curriculum resources are written by educators who are in schools who are doing the work with students in real time,” she says.
This educator-driven approach enables In Focus Education Group to translate educational research into tools that teachers can immediately apply. The result is curriculum that supports meaningful conversations, strengthens relationships, and helps students develop skills that influence both academic and personal success.
Supporting Schools through Customized Partnerships
Every school community has different challenges, priorities, and goals. In Focus Education Group works with districts and individual schools to create customized implementation strategies based on their specific needs.
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We intentionally create the conditions and build the competencies that empower educators and students to do their best work and become their best selves.
This customized coaching begins with understanding the school’s current environment through needs assessments, culture and climate data, and conversations with leaders and teachers. In Focus then develops recommendations that align with existing initiatives rather than adding another disconnected program.
This approach allows schools to integrate well-being into their broader educational vision. In Focus Education Group aligns its curriculum with existing academic programs, behavioral frameworks, school values, and district goals. By connecting well-being skills across academic, behavioral, and personal development areas, schools can create a consistent experience for students and a sustainable implementation for schools.
Demonstrating Meaningful Impact
The impact of In Focus Education Group’s work can be seen in classrooms where schools have used the curriculum to address behavioral challenges, improve engagement, and strengthen student connections.
One school experiencing significant behavior concerns implemented daily In Focus lessons . The school saw behavior referrals decrease from 74 per month at the beginning of the year to 32 by December and four by March. Administrators attributed the improvement to consistently teaching students the skills and strategies needed to regulate emotions, remain engaged, and navigate challenges.
Other schools have reported improvements in student well-being through regular assessments conducted throughout the year. When educators consistently teach lessons two to three times per week, schools have observed stronger engagement, fewer classroom management challenges, and increased student connection and confidence.
In Focus has also seen examples where well-being lessons helped students feel comfortable seeking support. By creating classrooms centered on communication and connection, students developed stronger relationships with peers and educators, creating environments where asking for help became easier.
Expanding the Future of Well-Being Education
As schools continue to prioritize student and educator well-being, In Focus Education Group is focused on expanding its reach, strengthening research efforts, and developing additional resources. The company is consistently participating in research studies that establish the evidence base of impact.
The organization is also creating well-being resources that extend beyond schools. Growing interest from families has created opportunities to create parent-focused curriculum that brings these skills into homes and communities.
By continuing to partner with educators, respond to evolving needs, and develop evidence-based solutions, In Focus Education Group aims to help more schools create environments where students and educators thrive! Its work reflects a broader understanding that well-being is not an addition to education but a foundation for meaningful learning, connection, and growth. Through this commitment to innovation and collaboration In Focus continues to support schools in creating lasting cultures of care where well-being becomes an integral part of education.
