The Jangala Tribal Warriors series is based on the concepts in Tribal Warriors for middle and high school youth. Children are better off when they learn at a young age how to handle their feelings, conflicts and how to have healthy and strong relationships. The concepts are based on positive psychology, a heart-centered use of language and rational thinking skill building. Children learn about non-violence and peaceful living in an effort to stand against violence and for peace and harmony. Most importantly the focus is on their strengths and what is going strong rather than what goes wrong. Building children up from the inside out creates "inner wealth" and in turn creates healthy, positive and nurtured heart families, schools and communities. The accompanying facilitator's guide provides step-by-step guidelines for implementing in classrooms and programs developed by our Lead Creator, Kelly Hollywood-Lehman and Sherry Blair. Jangala is the Sanskrit word for jungle and in this story our Jangala is the rainforest situated in India. Rainforests represent just one of the beautiful natural systems we need in our environment. The Jangala Tribal Warriors live and care for the Jangala and realize at a young age how we are interdependent with our environment. They learn about living, growing and learning from the heart as a way to relate to one another and the characters, although unique and diverse in their own special way, see each other at the heart and soul level. They embrace the beauty of their differences yet interact and relate on common ground. We are honored to introduce The Nurtured Heart Approach(R) developed by Howard Glasser as the language the characters use to speak to one another. Jangala Tribal Warriors Series begins with Living Growing and Learning from the Heart and presents The Nurtured Heart Approach(R) as the universal language in the tribe. Two of the younger characters, Nina and Gabby get entangled in a conflict that stemmed from teasing and we learn how the entire tribe stands together to make change for the better.
About the Author: Sherry Blair inspires others by applying and encouraging positivity. Teaching others to speak from their hearts is a key constituent of the work she does. She is committed to nurturing a positive work environment that allows her team of committed professionals to serve children and families in New Jersey's Wraparound System of Care in their homes/communities. She has a BA in Psychology/Womens' Studies from Rutgers Univ. She obtained her MSSW in Policy Analysis/International Social Welfare from Columbia University. She is dually mastered in Industrial/ Organizational Psychology. Sherry is a New Jersey LCSW, a Board Certified Professional Counselor and holds Diplomate Status as a Professional Coach through the Int'l Assoc of Behavior Medicine and Psychological Counseling. She teaches Human Behavior in the Social Environment part-time for the Univ of Southern California, Graduate School of Social Work Virtual Academic Center. She is an Advanced Trainer/Certified Nurtured Heart Specialist and one of the first 300 in the world trained in Dr. Martin Seligman's Authentic Happiness Positive Psychology Coaching Program. Nancy Azevedo Bonilla Nancy Azevedo Bonilla was born and raised in Newark, New Jersey where her parents emigrated from Portugal. Nancy attended Newark Public Schools as a child and succeeded in all domains. Nancy obtained a BA in Human Ecology concentrating in Family Services from Montclair State University. She acquired a MSW with a concentration in Clinical Practice and an emphasis in children and adolescents from Rutgers University. Nancy has remained true to her area of interest, expertise and above all, her roots. Being a tri-lingual therapist, Nancy has dedicated her career to work with children and adolescents in diverse communities. Nancy is currently a School Social Worker and Anti-Bullying Specialist at the same elementary school she attended as a child within Newark Public Schools. In addition, she continues to work as an In-Home Therapist where she provides psychotherapy to children and adolescents with needs within the community. Nancy is the current Co-Chair for the Nat'l Assoc of Social Workers-NJ Chapter where she co-leads service projects, events, and with her unit, works to create change on a macro level. Remaining true to her roots, Nancy lives in Newark, NJ with her husband Sebastian. Her goal remains to deposit back into the heart of the community that deposited so much into her own.