WILMETTE PUBLIC SCHOOLS DISTRICT 39

Social Emotional
Learning

About CASEL

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning envisions all children and adults as self-aware, caring, responsible, engaged, and lifelong learners who work together to achieve their goals and create a more inclusive, just world. How? Through a commitment to SEL. Learn more through the links below:


CASEL Competencies

Relationship Skills

The ability to establish and maintain healthy and rewarding relationships with diverse individuals and groups. This includes the capacity to communicate clearly, listen well, cooperate with others, resist inappropriate social pressure, negotiate conflict constructively, and seek and offer helps when needed.

EXAMPLES

  • Effective communication

  • Teamwork and collaborative problem-solving

  • Relationship building

  • Seeking or offering support when needed

  • Resisting negative social pressure

Self-Awareness

The ability to accurately recognize one's own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior. The ability to accurately assess one's strengths and limitations, with a well-grounded sense of confidence, optimism, and a "growth mindset."

EXAMPLES

  • Identifying emotions and linking feelings, values, and thoughts

  • Demonstrating honesty and integrity

  • Accurate self-perception

  • Recognizing strengths

  • Self-confidence

  • Self-efficacy

Self-Management

The ability to successfully regulate one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations – effective managing stress, controlling impulses, and motivating oneself. The ability to set and work towards personal and academic goals.

EXAMPLES

  • Impulse control

  • Stress management

  • Self-discipline

  • Self-motivation

  • Goal-setting

  • Planning and organizational skills

Social Awareness

The ability to take the perspective of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds and cultures. The ability to understand social and ethical norms for behavior and to recognize family, school, and community resources and supports.

EXAMPLES

  • Taking perspective

  • Recognizing others' strengths

  • Empathy

  • Appreciation of diversity

  • Respect for others

Responsible Decision Making

The ability to make constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions based on ethical standards, safety concerns, and social norms. The realistic evaluation of consequences of various actions, and a consideration of the well-being of one's self and others.

EXAMPLES

  • Demonstrating curiosity and open-mindedness

  • Identifying problems

  • Analyzing situations and making reasoned judgements

  • Problem-solving

  • Reflecting

  • Ethical responsibility

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (added by District)

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are important ideals to be incorporated with each of the CASEL competencies in order to educate the whole child. Students who demonstrate competency in DEI value an array of identities, strengths, and challenges in themselves and others. Students learn to identify unfairness/injustice (both historical and present-day, internal and external) and describe solutions to work together towards greater equity and inclusion.

Responsive Classroom

Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approachng to teaching and discipline that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness. Our professional development, books, and resources help elementary and middle school educators to create safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms and school communities where students develop strong social and academic skills and where each student can thrive.


Click here to learn more about Responsive Classroom.