I completely believe that SEL is a crucial part in the success of our students, especially post COVID. My students come to school with countless emotional issues that inhibit their learning and often the learning of other students. It can easily be incorporated into any classroom and has profound implications. Greeting my students at the door, having an organized classroom, clear procedures and expectations are only a few of the ways I do it. Anytime there is a chance to incorporate self-regulation and decision making, I take the opportunity. I try to begin my school year off with a lot of SEL components. It takes some time, but the rewards later in the school year are worth it. The last section with the data that supports SEL was encouraging. I work in a district where there are fights daily, many of our students come to school with trauma, and teachers are getting burned out. IF the entire district (admin, teachers, support staff AND parents) were are onboard, I think our district would be a very different place.
