Counselor Connection

I'm so glad you're here! I am so excited to share this space with you!

My name is Whitney Tammen, and I created this page to help keep parents, guardians, and teachers “in the know” about Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Here you’ll find information about what SEL is, what I’m teaching, and how I can support students, families, and staff in my role as school counselor.

Before coming to Colman-Egan, I served as a K–5 school counselor at Sioux Valley School. Transitioning into the K–12 role has been a new adventure—one I’ve taken on with full responsibility and excitement to keep learning the ins and outs. If there is ever a way I can assist you, your child, or your family, please don’t hesitate to reach out: whitney.tammen@k12.sd.us.

I call this my “Counselor Connection” page because I believe staying connected with students, families, staff, and the community is essential.

** As I plan lessons for our school counseling program, I’d love your input! Please share the skills you’d like your child(ren) to learn about during classroom guidance lessons. This short form helps me strengthen the connection between school and home.  Click HERE if you'd like to fill out a form with your input! THIS IS NOT MANDATORY!

What is SEL?

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a lifelong process that helps people develop skills to support healthy relationships, personal growth, and positive decision-making. SEL encourages strengths that begin at birth and continue throughout life.

Through SEL, students learn to:

• Understand and manage their emotions

• Set and achieve positive goals

• Show empathy for others

• Build and maintain healthy relationships

• Make responsible decisions

These skills are organized into five core areas of competence, also known as the CASEL Framework:

• Self-Awareness

• Self-Management

• Social Awareness

• Relationship Skills

• Responsible Decision-Making

SEL Curriculum We Use

I incorporate two main programs into counseling lessons: Every Monday Matters (EMM) and Harmony.

Every Monday Matters (EMM):
This curriculum focuses on developing a “Mattering Mindset” through three key ideas:

• I Matter – Recognizing my strengths and embracing who I am.

• You Matter – Valuing and empowering the people around me.

• We Matter – Contributing to something bigger than myself.

It encourages growth through six “C’s of Connection”:

• Character

• Citizenship

• Collaboration

• Communication

• Creativity

• Critical Thinking

Harmony Curriculum:
The Harmony program focuses on building healthy relationships and strong communities through units such as:

• Building Community

• Being My Best Self

• Valuing Each Other

• Communicating with Each Other

• Learning from Each Other

Both programs align with the CASEL framework and give students hands-on opportunities to practice SEL skills.

Monthly Focus

Each month, I highlight one SEL theme—such as responsibility, respect, empathy, or integrity. These topics help students grow into confident, caring, and capable individuals who can succeed in school and in life. 

As you see, you will be able to click on each month where you will find information/resources within. 

Thanks for reading! :)