Resilient Schools, Resilient NWA!

Megan Taylor / Building Resilient Schools: T.I.E.R.S. program

Our education system is at a breaking point. Student stress is soaring, making it harder for learning to happen, while teachers face growing demands with fewer resources.

Research shows that healthy schools create healthier communities—reducing poverty and incarceration and improving long-term well-being. TIERS is working to make sure this happens. Through the TIERS program, our trauma-informed team gives educators evidence-based tools to manage stress and trauma, creating calmer, more focused classrooms.

Each teacher we train becomes a healing force for hundreds of students, turning classrooms from places of stress into spaces of safety, connection, and lasting learning. Let's fight for Northwest Arkansas together! 

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About Resilient Schools, Resilient NWA!

For three years, Gap Relief's TIERS program has been transforming K-9th grade classrooms in Northwest Arkansas Schools. As we continue in our 4th year, we need your help to keep this vital work going!  


What We’re Doing: 

For the 2025–2026 school year, we are serving four schools with evidence-based training and consultation designed by trauma therapists, equipping teachers to manage their own stress and effectively support students experiencing significant stress or trauma.


Current TIERS Partner Schools: 

•K8 Connect (Springdale's Alternative Learning building for students who need additional support)
•Central Junior High 
•Westwood Elementary 
•Tyson Elementary 

The Impact (and this is just the beginning...)

  • Teachers feel supported and equipped to handle classroom challenges (increase of 31% in teachers feeling confident in supporting students!)
  • Students stay in their “learning brain” instead of survival mode (20% increase in students having tools to stay in learning brain!)
  •  Teacher burnout is being prevented in practical, meaningful ways (awareness of stress impcat increase 38%, engagement of relief activities increased 12%)
  • Students build confidence instead of believing they “can’t do it” (16% reduction of students giving up when things get tough!)

Our Goal: 

Thanks to generous funding from the Walton Family foundation, the majority of our project has been funded!  But, we are needing to raise $50,000 by the end of the year to close the funding gap and complete this program in all four schools. My personal goal is to raise $10,000! Help us change out community by keeping teachers teaching and students believing in themselves. 


Anything can help us get there!  Boots on the ground ways the money is used: 

  • $100 Sensory bag for one student 
  • $200 Sandtray kit for one counselor 
  • $400 Principal consultations 
  • $1600 School-wide training to equip all staff 
  • $4400 Tailored Teacher support  preventing burnout and equipping a classroom
  • $40,000 Complete school transformation 
To learn more about our nonprofit-  visit www.gaprelief.com