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Vicki Abadesco

@vickisoul

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Inspiring leadership from the inside out 🌎
Leadership & Life Skills Coach | Global Speaker | Community Builder

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Meet Coach B!

At Soul Shoppe, our big-hearted facilitators are at the heart of what we do. They bring the tools to life through connection, play, storytelling, and the ability to make every child feel like they matter.

This month, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Brandon Lee-Hyde, better known as Coach B!

Brandon brings an incredible combination of heart, energy, playfulness, and experience to his work with young people. What we especially love about Coach B is his commitment to seeing the whole child, creating spaces where kids feel seen, heard, appreciated, and empowered to be exactly who they are.

Coach B is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, and has found home here in the Bay Area. Brandon graduated from the University of Dayton with degrees in Education and Sports Management and has dedicated his career to serving young people as an educator, coach, mentor, and leader.

Brandon has been a teacher, basketball and soccer coach, martial arts instructor, and much more! He has a passion for working with children of all ages and abilities and has spent more than seven years working with children with special abilities.

His mission is to support children in developing lifelong skills that help them build relationships, gain confidence, be active, and have fun. Brandon takes a whole-child approach, creating experiences where children feel seen, heard, and appreciated.

He uses basketball, taekwondo, and hapkido as tools to bring out the best in young people and is grateful to use his knowledge and experience to help shape the leaders of the next generation.

Brandon is also a devoted father and partner, avid smiler, world traveler, and basketballer. Coach B brings all the positive vibes, and is an exceptional human. It's an honor to know him, and any school that has the opportunity to work with him is getting a huge gift! by @vickisoul

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25 days ago

87% of student Peacemakers surveyed said they were learning how to communicate and solve problems 🙌

And here’s what gets us even more excited:

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀!!!

40% reported using their conflict-resolution skills daily, with another 26.7% using them weekly.

That’s what Soul Shoppe's Peacemakers is all about.

We’re not just teaching kids about conflict resolution. We’re giving them practical tools they can use when feelings get hurt, disagreements happen, or someone needs help finding their way back to connection.

Learn it. Practice it. LIVE it!

Want to bring student Peacemakers to your school? Send us a message!

#StudentPeacemakers #ConflictResolution #StudentLeadership #SoulShoppe #SoulShoppers by @vickisoul

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a month ago

for all my elementary school educators!
start the school year off with us at our SEPT. 15th VIRTUAL PLAYGROUND.
soul shoppe hosts a monthly virtual playground where we experience fun and interesting ways for us to "empty" our emotional balloons.

our very own rhyan ramirez will be leading - this is the perfect post lunch recess activity to get your students focused and participating! by @vickisoul

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a month ago

For all my elementary school educators, here's a tool that will help cut down small student arguments and conflicts that interrupt classroom time and leave you exhausted.

Soul Shoppe's Peace Path is a 7-step process to help kids build the language and tools to work out problems 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳.

Get your Peace Path for your classroom or your main office. And to take it a step further, join our Peacemaker Trainer Certification (train the trainer) to train your own student peacemakers, or bring us onto your campus and we'll train them for you!

PMTC starts in Oct, so reach out and empower students to resolve their conflicts. by @vickisoul

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a month ago

"𝗦𝗼𝘂𝗹 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 ..."

Kids have big feelings.
Those big feelings play out on the schoolyard in the classroom.
They show up as "misbehaviors" and "acting out".

Conflicts are not the problem.

Not knowing what to do with conflict is.

This is why we created tools like Soul Shoppe's Peace Path.

This is why we provide year round school workshops to help students put our tools into real time practice.

Let's equip our students to work through schoolyard conflicts and problems effectively 🙌
#SoulShoppe #SoulShoppers #GenerationEmpathy #Peacemakers #RestorativeSEL by @vickisoul

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2 months ago

✨ Peacemakers in training!

What happens when we give young people the tools, and the trust, to help create more peaceful schools?

They step up 🌟

Student Peacemakers learn how to listen, help their peers work through conflict, practice empathy, and guide others toward solutions.

And along the way, they discover something pretty powerful:

“I can make a difference here.”

We’re not just teaching conflict resolution.
We’re growing leaders, listeners, bridge-builders, and humans who know that peace is something we can practice every day.

Booking now for the 2026-27 school year.
Reach out.

Empower a Peacemaker. Transform a school 🌱

#SoulShoppe #SoulShoppers #Peacemakers #MakeADifference #GenerationEmpathy by @vickisoul

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2 months ago

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹.
T𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝘁 𝟮𝟭 ❤️.

Recently, Soul Shoppe co-founder Joseph Savage walked into the Sea Ranch Lodge for dinner.

The young man greeting him looked at Joseph and asked:

“Can I give you a hug?”

He explained that he had attended Horicon Elementary and experienced Soul Shoppe as a student.

Then he told Joseph something that melted his heart:

He still uses the Soul Shoppe tools today.

At work, he reminds his team to “Stop and Breathe.” He uses communication tools to help people move through conflict and toward understanding, love and forgiveness.

Then he brought over two coworkers.

They had gone to Horicon, too! WHAT?!?!

Suddenly, Joseph was surrounded by three young adults sharing how Soul Shoppe had impacted them, and how the lessons they learned as children were still part of who they are today.

With tears in their eyes, they told Joseph to take in all the good he had given them.

Joseph cried. They cried. Even nearby diners were moved to tears.

THIS is why we do this work.

It's always out hope that students will embrace the tools at 9 or 10 years old, and use them for life, and we never know how they’ll use them later.

Until sometimes…we get a glimpse.

The tools we give children today can become the tools they use for a lifetime.

That’s the impact we dream about. ❤️

Reach out to learn more about our work with elementary schools.

#SoulShoppe #SkillsForLife #Peacemakers #SchoolCulture #ConflictResolution #WholeChild #GenerationEmpathy #Peacemakers by @vickisoul

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2 months ago

Recently, we came across a surprising statistic:

“M𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟴 𝗶𝗻 𝟭𝟬 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀’ 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹, 𝗲𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁”

And while MANY of these conversations about this topic focus on BEHAVIOR, we think this conversation is missing something.

Here’s what's up:

We don’t think we are experiencing a “behavior crisis”,

We think we are experiencing a gap in SKILLS.

When we hear educators describe what’s happening on their campuses, they are often talking about things like…

-Students struggling to handle disappointment
-Lashing out instead of communicating needs
-Friendship conflicts escalating quickly
-Avoiding difficult conversations
-Having trouble taking accountability
-Shutting down instead of asking for help

Honestly… none of those sound like “behavioral” issues.

They sound like a lack of skills and practice on how to navigate big emotions.

And if we want to see these statistics change, we don’t believe the answer is simply more behavioral consequences, principal visits, and detentions.

We believe the answer is giving students more opportunities to learn, practice, and strengthen the skills that help them become compassionate, accountable, emotionally intelligent humans.

And that is exactly what we are here to create at Soul Shoppe.
If you want to learn more about our “Better Together” theme and program curriculum for the 2026-27 school year, connect with us at support@soulshoppe.org. by @vickisoul

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2 months ago

We have been chatting with many educators throughout the summer.

As we are gearing up for the 2026-27 school year, we can’t help but reflect on the patterns in the conversations we have been having and what educators have been noticing.

And we wanted to share with you and get your input as well.

There are a lot of stories arising around students struggling to regulate their emotions more NOW than they were able to 5 years from now.

Some educators have shared it has always been this way.

While others report they have seen a significant increase in frustration, disappointment, reflection, conflict, and overwhelm.

Which we believe is largely due to the lack of tools to move through them.

In the news, we have heard:

-In 2024, more than 8 in 10 public schools reported seeing stunted behavioral and socio-emotional development in students.
-In the 2024 - 2025 school year, 58% of schools reported that more students were seeking mental health support than the year before.

Educators consistently report seeing an increase in stress, anxiety, aggression, distraction, and challenges with socialization and emotional regulation among students

Statistics can tell us a lot, but the first hand account from schools, counselors, educators, and district leaders AKA the people on the ground, tell us the MOST.

And with that being said - we wanted to open up the floor to hear from YOU.

What have you been noticing over the last year? And how has it impacted your school community? by @vickisoul

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2 months ago

Something powerful is happening here in Arizona.

On June 12th, I’ll be joining Vicki Abadesco the CEO of soulshoppe.org for an intimate evening focused on bringing more connection, emotional intelligence, and conflict resolution into our elementary schools.

For over 20 years, Soul Shoppe has helped more than 1 million students learn how to: • Navigate emotions in healthy ways
• Resolve conflict without violence
• Build empathy and belonging
• Create safer, more connected school communities.

Now we’re working to bring that impact to 50 Arizona elementary schools.
If you are:
• An educator
• A school leader
• A parent
• A community advocate
• Or someone who simply believes our kids deserve better support emotionally and socially

…I would love to invite you into this conversation.

This is more than a fundraiser.
It’s about the kind of future we want to help create for our children.

Come connect with people who care deeply about kids, community, and making a real difference.

Friday, June 12, 2026
Phoenix, AZ
6:00–8:30 PM

RSVP through the link in the comments or send me a message directly if you’d like more information. by @vickisoul

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5 months ago

thanks to everyone who showed up for soul shoppe’s 5th annual peacemaker awards and silent auction 💫💜🙏🏽

grateful for the support, contributions and donations to bring more peace to elementary schools.

you’re amazing 😍✌🏽

and there’s still time to donate!!
link in bio 💜 by @vickisoul

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5 months ago

i’ve been rocking soul shoppe for 25 years 🥰🤪🤩 creating more peace, respect and empathy with elementary school communities ✌🏽

it’s been my hearts work, and i’m beyond grateful to sooo many of you who have been on this journey with me. together we have reached over one million students, and we’re still going strong 💪🏽.

the truth is, i/we can’t do this work without you. without your cheerleading, support and contributions.

please join me thursday, may 7th for our 5th annual virtual peacemaker awards. come out for one hour to celebrate our schools, youth, educators and community leaders who are standing for peace.

we also have a silent auction going on now that will be live through thursday’s pm awards. bid on items and contribute so we can support schools who need and want our services. bid or donate directly!
see you thursday 🥳

links in bio. thank you fam, your presence and support means so much, and makes a difference 🙏🏽💫💜 by @vickisoul

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5 months ago