SEL In Your School

There are simple ways to integrate Social and Emotional Learning into your classroom and school. It's important to note that each student has different needs and considerations when it comes to SEL and academics, so they might not need a 'one size fits all' curriculum. Integrating SEL into academics is a guaranteed way to do both things at once, saving you time and money. Below are tactics from the Aspen Institute's National Commission on Social Emotional, and Academic Development. [From a Nation at Risk to a Nation at Hope] & Berkeley.

1. Build Adult Expertise: The more SEL skills your teachers and staff have, the better the students will learn from them.

• Mindful Breathing.
• Active Listening.
• Feeling Supported.
• Best Possible Self.
• Incorporate the 3 SEL Signature Practices into your staff meetings.

2. Transform learning settings so they are safe and supportive for all young people.

• ​Learn about your own implicit biases and assumptions about the kids in your schools and classrooms.
• End punitive and disciplinary strategies and try using restorative practices.
• Making that teacher-student relationship into a strong and authentic bond.

3. Embed these skills in academics and schoolwide practices. 

• Teach empathy with literature
• Using cooperative learning in math
• SEL in science class
• SEL in social studies