Cochise County, Arizona — Last week, the Cochise County Superintendent hosted the 7th Annual Education Innovation Conference to provide educators with a day of learning and self-care.

Cochise County School Principal Jackie Clay said this year’s mental health theme came from feedback from local administrators.

The day was filled with breakout sessions on a variety of topics including mental health, yoga, ideas for math and science education, counseling, and classes from local detention centers. Clay’s goal for the day was to give attendees tools for the classroom.

“I’ve been here since the beginning,” said Roy Ann Guzman, principal and superintendent of the Apache Elementary School District. They’re eighth graders you’re struggling to reach.

Businesses and corporate vendors from across the state lined the hall to talk to attendees and talk about tools that will help them in their classrooms. Scottsdale organization Be Kind shared how it can share its mission to help educators by teaching children kindness.

“Kindness and metal health really go hand in hand,” said Lauren Malone, Be Kind’s National Manager of School Engagement. “If kids are having a bad day, they need friends. They need someone who cares, who cares, who can empathize.”

Clay said he hopes the tools taught at the conference will be useful for teachers and students.