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Molly Nilssen is a proud Milwaukee native who attended Milwaukee Public Schools from K4 through 12th grade. She went on to earn her degree from the School of Education at the University of Wisconsin–Madison before beginning her career teaching kindergarten and later first grade.

After teaching in three different schools, Molly found her home at the Milwaukee College Prep campus on 38th Street, serving predominantly minority learners. Over her career, she has taught every grade in elementary and middle school and nearly every subject, giving her a rare, full-spectrum understanding of how children grow, learn, and struggle across developmental stages.

For the past four years, Molly has taught Wellness, a subject that blends self‑regulation, brain science, hygiene, puberty and development, sex education, core values, boundaries, social justice, mindfulness, and more. Her work sits at the intersection of academic learning and human development.

The realities of Milwaukee deeply shape Molly’s commitment to SEL, one of the most racially segregated cities in the country, and a community grappling with high rates of violence and the disproportionate incarceration of Black males. These systemic conditions show up in classrooms long before they show up in statistics. Molly sees firsthand how chronic stress, community instability, and generational inequities impact students’ nervous systems, attention, behavior, and sense of safety.

Her message is clear: SEL is not optional in a city like Milwaukee. It is a protective factor, an academic accelerator, and an equity imperative. With 17 years of experience spanning major shifts in technology, AI, and post‑pandemic learning, Molly brings a powerful, urgent perspective on what today’s students truly need to thrive and survive, not just academically, but as whole human beings.

School Website: https://www.milwaukeecollegeprep.com/38th-street

Resources:

Videos

A Tour of the Brain (for kids)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6vqSehMYQQ&t=87s

Brain Basics for Kids (and also adults!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eD1wliuHxHI

What is my Lizard Brain? (Self-regulation lesson)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLaBYt3AHVI&t=19s

Neurons and Synapses

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0rHZ_RDdyQ

Zones of Regulation Curriculum Website

https://zonesofregulation.com/

Articles:

Power Of Brain Breaks

https://www.edutopia.org/video/the-mysterious-power-of-brain-breaks

Projects, Purpose, and the Teenage Mind

https://www.edutopia.org/article/projects-purpose-and-the-teenage-mind

Survive and Thrive During Testing Season

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/survive-thrive-during-testing-season-lori-desautels

Intentionally Slowing Down to Ensure Students Learn Material Deeply

https://www.edutopia.org/article/slower-instruction-deeper-learning

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Episode with Dr. Kimberly Honnick - A transformational education leader with 30+ years of experience shares her groundbreaking approach to turning around failing urban schools. Dr. Honnick discusses:

• Moving beyond the outdated 1890s industrial education model
• Building student and staff belonging as the foundation for school success
• Practical strategies, including eliminating departmental silos, creating grade-level teams, and implementing advisory periods
• How transformation doesn't require additional funding—just a mindset shift
• Real stories of empowering students and creating environments where everyone wants to be present

Biography:Dr. Kimberly Honnick is a Senior Education Consultant, Leadership Coach, and Speaker, and the Founder of Bo Knowz Learning, LLC. With more than 30 years of experience across K–12 public school systems, Head Start programs, and higher education, she partners with education organizations to strengthen leadership, culture, and professional learning. Her work focuses on Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), leadership development, and people-centered systems change. Dr. Honnick is the author of The Heartbeat Educator and a nationally recognized leader in education.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14tfB9Of89sW87m9sgY0qkks3T5U9IxNY38M96TSn0Vw/edit?usp=sharing

Interested in more? Reach out to Dr. Kim Honnick:

LinkedIn: Dr. Kimberly Honnick

Kimberly Honnick and Bo Knowz Learning www.boknowzlearning.com Community: https://www.skool.com/bo-knowz-learning-7950/about

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In this episode, Dr. Burkhalter explains her focus on the discipline gap and its importance in education.

• Details
  • Explains that her doctorate focused on discipline systems, which she found were closing rather than opening doors for students
  • Noted that college doesn't prepare educators for discipline challenges, focusing instead on instructional piece.
• Dr. Felicia: Shares how she "failed forward" as a teacher and wanted to support other teachers who were becoming discouraged

Multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS)

• Details
• Tier 1 as universal supports that all students receive
• Tier 2 involves small groups and targeted interventions
• Tier 3 provides intensive support like functional behavioral assessments
• Details
  • Traditional discipline involves dictating behavior to student
  • A strong connection to 'Choice Theory" and putting "the ball in the court of the learner". Students are looking for guardrails but also wanting ownership with concern to their behavior.
  • Practical implementation steps
• Practical implementation Steps
  • Start with student focus groups to learn what they need and what their triggers are
  • Involve parents in solution development
  • Listen to staff to determine what they need and will support.
  • Analyze data together and having real conversations about what's not working...modify as necessary.

Multiple discipline approaches

Check out the linked resources below to learn more about the specific approaches discussed.

• Trauma-Informed-Decision Making
• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
• Responsibility-Centered-Discipline

Contact Info:

Dr. Felicia Burkhalter

Email: feliciaburkhalter1913@gmail.com
http://linkedin.com/in/dr-felicia-burkhalter-674b8817

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