School Culture & SEL

A positive culture is the foundation of a successful school. The relationships we build with our students, the community, and each other are indispensable to creating an environment where kids can thrive. Making students, staff, and families feel valued and respected is key to creating a positive learning environment.

Communication: Often & Clearly

Daily Announcements

Making sure that busy staff members stay informed is an important part of creating a positive school culture. If expectations and information are clearly and often communicated, staff will feel valued and have a clear idea of where the school is going. I created and sent out daily announcements to help staff keep track of schoolwide events and deadlines.

Brain Power Wellness SEL Leader: Mindfulness for Students & Staff

Brain Breaks for Kids

Staying in your seat for 45 -90 minutes at a time is difficult for kids and adults alike. Brain Power offers short, science-based community building and mindfulness activities. As the school's SEL leader, I train students to facilitate brain breaks to their peers.

and Adults

Staff members also need breaks and an opportunities to get to know each other and build community.

Appreciations & School Events

Coffee & Breakfast

I treat members of the ELA department to coffee & breakfast during special occasions, like holidays.

Birthday & Holiday Cards

Sending staff holiday cards & birthday cards communicates that they are seen and valued.

School Events

Schoolwide celebrations play an important role in creating a healthy school culture. As a member of the events committee, I contribute to making our school a place students and staff want to be.

Teacher Appreciation Video

For Teacher Appreciation Week, I recorded our students saying something kind about our staff.

SEL: Respect for All & Advisory

Educating our children is more than teaching them math and ELA; we need to support our students' social-emotional development and provide them with a safe and loving space.

As part of the Respect for All team and one of my school's SEL Leads, I work with my colleagues to support our students' and staff's SEL needs. I am certified in leading restorative circles through Morningside.

Together with the RFA Team, I organize events and support our students in becoming upstanders.

An advisory activity.

Community agreements in advisory.

Supporting teachers with DESSA.

SEL PD.

SEL & Community Building at Meetings

At every meeting I lead, I do an SEL check-in or a short community-building activity with staff. This helps me get a feel for how my audience is feeling, so I can adapt my delivery accordingly, and also makes people feel recognized and validated. We do not leave our feelings at the door when we come to school and it is important to recognize them.

A community building activity.

Self-care strategies used by staff.

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