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The Importance
The Importance
If you take a second to think about your experience in school as a child, you can probably recall of one or maybe a few teachers, coaches, or other school staff that made you feel truly cared for and valued within their classroom. These teachers probably made school more enjoyable for you and helped you feel like you had a sense of belonging and helped you along your educational and personal journey. Those individuals have a huge impact on our lives and help mold us into the people we are today. Sure, they have helped you learn a thing or two along the way, but they also inherently taught us the power in caring for others. Sometimes these adults are the only people that show care and compassion to individuals who are struggling mentally, which can make a world of difference for those who may be struggling with mental health issues. One of the statistics shown amoungst many school shootings or acts of violence is that the person committing the crime feels as though no one cares about them. They often feel very isolated and alone and then act upon that feeling. With this knowledge, it is even more important than ever for school staff to make sure every student feels acknowledged and cared for.
Importance of Building Relationships
Importance of Building Relationships
This video was produced by Vanderbilt University where it talks about the importance of relationships. This video includes teachers and students talking about the impact of strong relationships within schools and how it has helped them along their journeys.
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a framework that many schools are adopting in order to help build relationships with students to help them thrive and succeed both inside and outside of the classroom. SEL is structured around the ideas of Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision Making, Relationship Skills and Social Awareness. CASEL defines SEL as "the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions". SEL is a powerful tool that can be implemented within schools to improve classroom climates and make students feel valued.
SEL Overview
SEL Overview
This video from CASEL is a good overview of what the implementation of SEL looks like in schools. It also talks about the many benefits of its framework within helping students find a sense of self and their importance within their community.
Somebody Else's Kids
Somebody Else's Kids
The novel Somebody Else's Kid by Torey Hayden is an excellent read for teachers. The book is centered around Torey's classroom were she is working with four different students with very different and complex needs. The connections she is able to make with the students is extremely powerful and is an amazing testament of the power of relationships. This book gives an inside look of her thoughts and feeling throughout the school year while working with some of the hardest to reach students within her school. We can all learn a few tip and trick through Torey's approach to teaching!
Professional Development
Professional Development
If you are looking for some professional development around SEL and implementation, there is a Conscious Discipline conference happening in Las Vegas! Conscious Discipline is centered around principals of SEL. This conference is looking at how stress, anxiety, trauma, and other mental health concerns are effecting the classroom and helping educators find ways to help support their students and one another!
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