Social Emotional Learning is a
student-first approach to instruction which explicitly teaches how to cope in healthy ways, be in control of one’s choices, identify and self-regulate
emotions, form constructive habits to support personal growth and proactive strategies to communicate feelings. SEL is vital, especially today, because these lessons directly strengthen the skills that positively contribute to overall mental health and learning barriers, and have been unintentionally neglected in previous curriculum thus lacking in our students during this time of need, potentially causing profound damage. Imagine facing this pandemic as an adolescent with zero tools in their toolbox to effectively deal with stress? The urgency for this instruction to be provided for all
students as immediately as possible cannot be overstated.
Integrating
SEL into the curriculum is more of a framework from which to build skills embedded in authentic effective instruction. On a daily basis it is intentional recognition of an individual’s small, daily achievements and an
overall attitude toward student issues that respects their emotional well-being
with the understanding that given an unconditionally supportive relationship with
the teacher, a student will be motivated to learn and ready to work when faced
with any curriculum or life challenge.
