Social-Emotional Learning

Schools across the United States and world implement various SEL programs to support positive student behavior. Although educators know the benefits of SEL for the children, the adults don’t often reflect on their SEL skills. CASEL writes that “A good starting point for engaging staff in adult SEL is self-reflection. When staff reflects on their own social and emotional competencies, they personalize SEL, gain a deeper understanding of the lifelong process for developing competencies, and have insight into their own strengths and areas for improvement.”

If educators are reflective about their areas of improvement, they can better serve and support their students. Working in schools is difficult, so understanding how to manage one’s emotions, showing empathy, and building positive relationships can help create a path to improving teaching and learning in our schools.

Building Relationships

Fourthly, an area of reflection is building relationships. Student-Teacher and teacher-to-teacher relationships are essential for educators to consider. Positive relationships help our school days to run smoother and more efficiently. If personalities clash and everyone is at odds, the school climate will be totally out of whack. Of course, students and staff members are human, so disagreements occur from time to time.