As the testing season approaches, I partnered with the amazing @Jenny_Orr on a mini-project to help students recognize when they need a brain break.
- Jen is an experienced elementary teacher and author of Demystifying Discussion and co-author of We...
As educators, we understand the profound impact a sense of community can have on student engagement, learning outcomes, and overall well-being. A classroom environment prioritizes community-building and fosters collaboration, empathy, and a supporti...
Dr. Barbara Fredrickson eloquently defines awe as an encounter where one is "overwhelmed by greatness." In the picturesque landscapes of Normandy, France, I discovered firsthand the transformative power of awe.
In 2007, I embarked on a memorable jou...
Lately, I’ve been thinking about impactful social emotional learning skills considered essential in human growth and development for a productive, healthy life - terms like respect, accountability, and empowerment. These terms are not listed in CASEL...
One of the things I'm most proud of during my teaching career occurred while I worked in the district was the opportunity to co-create a student leadership organization with two of my very dear friends.
I served six years as a high school Student A...
A few weeks ago, I was having a coaching conversation with some fabulous high school counselors. One of the things we discussed is how to make social emotional learning skill development very explicit for students.
In this case, I don’t mean solely ...
Our third entry point or approach for infusing SEL into everything we say, think, and do are in our instructional practices. For example, every teacher I’ve ever worked with has leveraged group work or group discussion in their classroom. This post o...
When working with educators on infusing SEL, many often tell me, “I already do this.” What they mean, more specifically, is that they infuse social emotional learning via their SOCIAL INTERACTIONS with students.
When asked if they explicitly tell t...
When I was a classroom teacher and had heard of social emotional learning, my original thought was that it was all about relationships with students. The more I investigated the research, specifically from CASEL, the Collaborative for Academic Social...
As educators, we know that when there is an extended break from the classroom, it is wise to spend time the first day back re-acclimating to our class routines, norms, and each other. It is also helpful as this may be when new students enter your cla...
Recently, I revisited my favorite spot for acupuncture, a place that always feels like a reset button for my mind and body. During my conversation with the doctor, I shared something I’d been reflecting on: after a trip to Hawaii, I experienced an in...
In October, I facilitated a session on Reaching Students Who Are Experiencing Poverty in Illinois. We discussed how poverty impacts the brain and learning. We explored ways teachers can foster positive relationships with families and students experie...
