Social-Emotional Learning is the Rage

Social-emotional learning is all the rage in education. However, the focus is mainly on the children and not on the adults. Rarely is it discussed the possibilities of addressing the social-emotional needs of educators. It is time to explore how social-emotional learning for the adults can positively change the field of education. It is time to discuss that educators need social-emotional learning, too.

As a principal of a high needs school, my team and I focused on developing great social-emotional programming for our students. Our students came to us with an array of emotions, experiences, and circumstances. Consequently, we recognized that these issues affected teaching and learning. Then we took into consideration the needs of our students and began to offer services and programming as a means of support.

While providing social-emotional support to our students, we did not look deep enough into the needs of the teachers and staff members. We implemented great programs like Calm Classroom, Second Step. CHAMPS, restorative practice and peace circles. We also created a care team consisting of counselors, social workers, psychologists, teachers, assistant principal, and principal. Also, we provided professional development to the teachers in all of the programming. We became a trauma-informed school. However, now in hindsight, one component was missing. Social-emotional learning for teachers and staff should have been a priority, too.  Continue reading →

What Gets in the Way of  Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning are the two most important aspects of education. Sometimes, adults will get in the way of teaching and learning.  Recently on a Facebook group, someone asked, “what stresses you out about the field of education?”  Surprisingly, most responded that the adults, not the children caused the most stress. Responses came from classroom teachers, principals, and assistant principals. Many called out their colleagues, principals, parents and district administrators. No one was immune! Unfortunately, the informal survey showed a glimpse that many educators are unhappy campers. Furthermore, they are unhappy with each other.  Many felt that the adults cause too much turmoil and it hinders the educational process. So, what do you do when the adults get in the way of teaching and learning?

Each day teaching and learning is what is supposed to happen in schools. Each building is its own microcosm of people, personalities, systems, etc. Because staff members are human, people and personalities will clash. When clashes happen, as a teacher or administrator you may lose sight of what’s most important. Teaching the students is the most important goal and ensuring their academic success.  Continue reading →

What is Failure?

At some point in life, everyone experiences failure. Yes, failure and hitting the bottom is a part of life. While looking up from the bottom, I’ve learned a few lessons. However, failure means different things to different people.  According to Dictionary.com definitions include:

• Lack of success or proving unsuccessful
• Non-performance of something due, required or expected
• A person or thing that proves unsuccessful

As an educator, what does failure mean to you? Does it mean not meeting a goal? Or does hitting the bottom mean your students not meeting expectations on the state assessments? For me, failure really took me for a loop when was fired from a job that was very important to me. I was totally blindsided and defeated by the loss. I didn’t see it coming and couldn’t understand how or why it happened. After, all I gave the district and students years of loyalty, hard work, and dedicated service. Was this the reward I received for being a good employee? I was devasted! The opportunity to say goodbye to my students, parents, and staff was lost. I needed closure. Then I hit the bottom. In my eyes, I was a failure.

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