Hans Magleby and WhyTry Team members Bruce Bushnell (former school counselor) and Cory Anderson (former elementary principal) demonstrate the SEL tools and methodology of the WhyTry Program. WhyTry has been leading the way with it’s innovative approach to teaching SEL and resilience for over 20 years. The WhyTry Program is used in over 25,000 schools, correctional institutions and mental health organizations across the US, Canada and the UK.

Why Focus on SEL Now?

Massive disruptions to schools brought about by COVID-19 are creating a big need for social-emotional supports for students and educators.

A recent Edweek survey of administrators and teachers found that

“Stress management tied with coping, with anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses”

as the top priorities of focus with students going into the fall. Educators are girding for a spike of problems in those areas.

One student services director cited in that survey said,

“The mental health issues have increased. We’re just not able to know by how much. When students come to school, you really have your finger on the pulse of what they’re going through,”

SEL for Adults

Another priority will be the support for teacher’s well being. Attending to the social-emotional needs of educators will be important, particularly since they experience the stress and anxiety of being responsible for the well-being of other people’s children in unprecedented times.

Hans Magleby

Hans Magleby is the founder of WhyTry and creator of the WhyTry Program with Christian Moore. Hans is a former teacher, and has over 20 years experience as a trainer, and education consultant specializing in student engagement and social emotional learning. Hans frequently speaks to audiences of educators, administrators, counselors, and mental health professionals across the US.

Hans has a diverse background in technology, product development, and instructional design. Hans is a former art director for a video game company and technology entrepreneur. He has a passion for using technology to teach and engage youth and has been dedicated to the growth and mission of WhyTry, developing practical tools to teach resilience and motivate youth.

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Bruce Bushnell

Bruce Bushnell has centered his career around promoting youth success. He is an award winning school counselor. Bruce was named the counselor of the year for the state of Utah and was also honored at the White House, receiving national recognition for his counseling interventions. Bruce has been a member of the Executive High School Relations Board, senior vice president of the Alpine Counseling Association, and vice president of the Utah Counselor Association.

Bruce now helps youth succeed by presenting passionate WhyTry keynotes and trainings across the country. As an advocate of the program from its earliest days, Bruce has also been a key contributor in developing many of the WhyTry learning activities, which are proven to help youth develop the social and emotional skills necessary to reach their goals.

  

Cory Anderson

Cory has spent nearly two decades as an educator, beginning as a teacher and then as an administrator. He has been an assistant principal at a middle school and has served as a principal of two different elementary schools. Cory pioneered and started one of two public STEM programs in the state of Utah and helped consult with the state office of education on creating STEM standards for schools that would eventually be adopted by the STEM action center.

Also during his tenure as an elementary school as principal, Cory oversaw behavioral units and lead his school in implementing social and emotional programs and STEM activities.

In 2019, Cory joined the WhyTry team as a trainer and director of curriculum development, after using its social and emotional tools for close to ten years in his administrative duties.

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