Mrs. Bremer,

Mrs. Reinardy,

and

Mrs. Wilson:

SEL

Social Emotional Learning at Osage Community Schools

Social Emotional Learning is becoming a priority in schools. The impact SEL has on students is powerful and the COVID pandemic has made the conversation about its importance even more prevalent. Our school counselors understand the power of SEL best, integrating it into their lessons, having conversations with students, and supporting staff.

Remember, sadness is ok.

Name the feeling.

How to feel better!

Mrs. Bremer, Lincoln Elementary

The Elementary student is just starting to develop, well, everything! Our earliest learners are just beginning to build their confidence as learners. Mrs. Erin Bremer understands this about her students and starts integrating SEL into her guidance lessons with Lincoln Elementary students at a young age. I had the opportunity to witness her teaching a phenomenal lesson on zones in a Kindergarten classroom where she engaged students in conversation and activities around the "Blue Zone". The lesson centered around the feelings of sadness: how to identify the feeling, how to work through it, and how to feel better. She supports Lincoln's students by meeting with each grade level weekly, counseling on an individual basis, providing interventions during WIN time, and connecting with staff on a regular basis. Her fun personality and positive outlook on everything she encounters makes her the perfect fit for Lincoln.

Mrs. Bremer introduced the lesson with a read aloud and a character, Emotional Eugene.

After the read aloud, students shared a moment when they felt sad and threw it in the jar.

Next, Mrs. Bremer provided examples of tools that help us feel better.

The lesson ended with students creating their own "toolbox" of strategies they could use to feel better.

Mrs. Reinardy, Osage Middle School

At the middle school level, students are rapidly growing (physically and emotionally). It's an exciting and challenging time at this level when students begin to search for their identity, face new challenges, and develop strong friendships. Mrs. Sharon Reinardy supports the middle school student body by building on students' learning through guidance lessons in 5/6 and guidance/career planning in 7/8, providing individual counseling, leading the student ambassador team, and working with the success team to develop SEL lessons and find ways to support student needs. I was able to observe a 7th-grade guidance/careers lesson where she talked to students about the meaning of integrity. She helped students understand the importance of being trustworthy through engaging videos and scenarios that students might encounter in real life. The students are drawn to Mrs. Reinardy's contagious smile and positive attitude.

Mrs. Wilson, Osage High School

High school years are full of growth, frustration, and excitement. Students are just beginning to think about what the future holds for them. Mrs. Erin Wilson helps our oldest students navigate through the ups and downs of high school, set informed career goals, and recognize their potential to become productive members of the community. She's always known that relationships are critical in order to help students reach success, so this is a priority when counseling individually, working with small groups, leading student council, helping students organize school events, and creating a plan for success after graduation for each individual. There's a lot going on in our high school students' lives, so just recently, Mrs. Wilson sent a voluntary "temperature check" to students to learn more about stress levels, what causes their stress, and how they feel about school. The results confirmed that SEL is critical; many students feel overwhelmed and are looking for support. She says, "A little grace and understanding will go a long way." Mrs. Wilson is a natural at this, while still holding her students to high expectations.

SEL in the Classroom

Our counselors play a vital role in the success of our schools. As teachers, we can support their efforts by integrating SEL into our classrooms on a daily basis. Bringing SEL into the classroom is linked to academic achievement. Building relationships, creating a welcoming culture in the classroom, and talking about the five competencies of SEL can lead to student success. Check out the article below for more research and resources. Connect with your counselor for more support. They know resources, ideas, and our students and their needs best!

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Everything You Need to KnowSocial-emotional learning (SEL) is the process of managing emotions, setting positive goals, showing empathy for others, and maintaining positive relationships. Learn the key SEL competencies, why they matter, and how to implement SEL in the classroom.

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