Social Emotional Learning
Hello! It's good to see you.
My name is Natalie Davies and I am the Social Emotional Learning Specialist (SELS) at Deane and Lasley Elementary Schools. This is my second year at these schools. My role revolves around enhancing positive school climate and culture, integrating social-emotional curriculum school-wide, and providing supports to staff and students.
Email: natalie.davies@jeffco.k12.co.us
Voicemail: (303) 982-5914
What is SEL?
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Why is SEL important?
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies are essential life skills! Direct teaching of these skills can help youth acquire and apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions. As a result, youth are better able to become good learners, while also engaging in fewer risky behaviors such as drug use, violence, bullying behaviors, and dropping out.
What are the benefits?
SEL interventions that address CASEL’s five core competencies led to the following outcomes:
Better academic performance: achievement scores an average of 11 percentile points higher than students who did not receive SEL instruction;
Improved attitudes and behaviors: greater motivation to learn, deeper commitment to school, increased time devoted to schoolwork, and better classroom behavior;
Fewer negative behaviors: decreased disruptive class behavior, noncompliance, aggression, delinquent acts, and disciplinary referrals; and
Reduced emotional distress: fewer reports of student depression, anxiety, stress, and social withdrawal.
Durlak, Weissberg, et al. (2011)
What does SEL time look like?
Students at Deane Elementary receive a minimum of one SEL lesson taught directly each week. A CASEL-approved curriculum called Second Step is used as a base for 3-5th grade, and Random Acts of Kindness is used as a base for 6th grade. Both curricula teach students the five CASEL competencies.
Our K-2 students receive prevention support with a version of BrainWise adapted by Jefferson Center for Mental Health. For more information on that, please contact our JCMH Prevention Specialist, Anna Schwenk.
SEL can (and should) be more than just a 30-minute lesson. A systemic approach to SEL intentionally infuses social and emotional learning into every part of students’ daily lives—across all of their classrooms, during all times of the school day, and when they are in their homes and communities. This is what we're ultimately striving for.
Both wheels are needed for a bicycle to function:
