The damage the pandemic did to academic and social and emotional well-being is now crystal clear. Students’ math and reading skills have plummeted, erasing years of gains; and many students are struggling to learn how to regulate their emotions, feel empathy for others, and set reachable goals for themselves. At the same time, some school district SEL programs have run up against intense opposition from parents and politicians, who take issue with how SEL is being linked to learning about racism, sexism, and LGBTQ issues.
To properly address these challenges, schools need to do a better job:
- Communicating with stakeholders about what their SEL programs actually teach,
- Designing SEL strategies that are tailored to the specific needs of their communities, and
- Evaluating the effectiveness of those strategies.
Join us for a lively discussion about these topics with educators and experts.
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Agenda
2:00pm ET
Welcome and Introduction
We’ll review key takeaways from recent reporting on social-emotional learning.
Lauraine Langreo is an Education Week staff writer, covering education technology, student well-being, and college and workforce readiness.
2:20pm ET
Industry Perspective: How SEL Supports the ABCs of Student Success
Content provided by Panorama
Universal skills. Character education. 21st century learning. No matter what you call it, the evidence is clear: when schools value social-emotional learning (SEL), our students succeed. Led by 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, Takeru “TK” Nagayoshi, this session will examine the research behind how SEL positively correlates with the ABCs of student success: attendance, behavior, and coursework performance.
Universal skills. Character education. 21st century learning. No matter what you call it, the evidence is clear: when schools value social-emotional learning (SEL), our students succeed. Led by 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, Takeru “TK” Nagayoshi, this session will examine the research behind how SEL positively correlates with the ABCs of student success: attendance, behavior, and coursework performance.
Takeru “TK” Nagayoshi is the 2020 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year, Professional Learning Director for Community Events at Panorama Education, and a former high school AP English and research teacher in New Bedford, Mass.
2:30pm ET
Panel Discussion: Weaving SEL Into Academics Is Hard. Here’s How to Make It Happen
Even for teachers who have a deep commitment to teaching social-emotional learning skills, incorporating those skills into math, science, or even language arts can be a tough task these days. Educators cite several barriers to making this work, such as pressure to help students catch up academically now that the pandemic has subsided, leaving little time for anything else; insufficient professional development; student emotional needs that go beyond the scope of educators’ abilities; and standardized tests that focus only on core academic material. Learn how to work through those difficulties to integrate SEL into academics in ways that will have a meaningful impact on students’ academic and social-emotional skills.
Alyson Klein is an assistant editor for Education Week.
Kyla Krengel
Director of Social and Emotional Learning,
Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools
Kyla Krengel is currently serving as the Director of Social and Emotional Learning with Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools. She has worked to bring SEL supports to administrators, teachers, students, and families through her work in the district as a classroom teacher, Classroom and Organization Management Program Trainer, Olweus Bullying Prevention Trainer, McGrath Bullying and Harassment Trainer, Instructional Coach, and Assistant Principal. In addition to her work to forward SEL within the district, Kyla serves as co-chair of the Alignment Nashville Behavioral Health Committee and the National Music City SEL Conference Committee. She has also served on a state-wide committee with the TN Department of Education to craft Social and Personal Competencies for TN educators. Kyla was part of the Aspen Institute team who developed the Action Guide for School Leadership Teams on Integrating Social, Emotional, and Academic Development.
Londyn Lavallais
Dean of Students,
McMurray Middle School, Metro Nashville Schools
Karen VanAusdal
Senior Director of Practice,
CASEL: Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning
3:15pm ET
Industry Perspective: Why SEL Matters to Everyone
Content provided by Champions
In this session you will have an opportunity to learn how to integrate SEL instruction into academics throughout the school day and beyond. From practicing mindfulness to self regulation activities, come and see what Cedar Rapids Community Schools is doing to incorporate SEL instruction into the school day as well as beyond the day in partnership with Champions before and after school programming. We will be sharing some ideas and activities for you to take away and try in your classrooms and districts.
In this session you will have an opportunity to learn how to integrate SEL instruction into academics throughout the school day and beyond. From practicing mindfulness to self regulation activities, come and see what Cedar Rapids Community Schools is doing to incorporate SEL instruction into the school day as well as beyond the day in partnership with Champions before and after school programming. We will be sharing some ideas and activities for you to take away and try in your classrooms and districts.
Nicole Kooiker
Deputy Superintendent,
Cedar Rapids Community School District
Nicole Kooiker has served as Deputy Superintendent of Cedar Rapids Community School District in Cedar Rapids, Iowa since July 1st, 2020. Prior to that time, she was the Superintendent at Ottumwa, Iowa for four years, and prior to that, the Superintendent at West Marshall in State Center, Iowa for three years.
She is responsible for internal system operations of the Cedar Rapids CSD including leading the teaching and learning departments. Cedar Rapids CSD is responsible for the education of more than 16,000 students in 1 early childhood center, 20 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 4 high schools, and one virtual school.
She is responsible for internal system operations of the Cedar Rapids CSD including leading the teaching and learning departments. Cedar Rapids CSD is responsible for the education of more than 16,000 students in 1 early childhood center, 20 elementary schools, 6 middle schools, 4 high schools, and one virtual school.
3:25pm ET
Panel Discussion: SEL Lessons Learned: Case Studies and Best Practices
There are some key factors that contribute to the success of social-emotional learning, such as high-quality, evidence-based curricula; integration into academic subjects; and a school culture and climate that supports SEL. But the district leaders Education Week interviewed for a recent special report emphasized that the adults in the school building need to build their social-emotional competencies before they can impart these skills to students. We’ll discuss five key priorities for making SEL work, including: starting with adults; getting meaningful teacher and principal support; seeking out and using student input; measuring impact; and building programs that will survive school district leadership turnover.
Arianna Prothero covers technology, student well-being, and the intersection of the two for Education Week.
Jill Merolla
SEL coordinator,
Warren City Schools
Jill A. Merolla serves as the Supervisor of Community Outreach and Grant Development for the Warren City School District in Warren, Ohio. As a 36 year Education veteran, Ms. Merolla has worked as a teacher, an elementary and middle school principal, and a central office administrator. Among her many current roles, she is the Program Manager for the CASEL Skills for Life Initiative brought to the District in 2010 by U.S. Congressman Tim Ryan, of Ohio. Ms. Merolla continues to be responsible for the initiative’s funding and the District’s SEL training of PK-12, teachers.
Trish Shaffer
MTSS/SEL Coordinator,
Washoe County School District
Trish Shaffer is a passionate educational leader who believes all children and adults are capable, relational, and worthy - a guiding philosophy for her career. With a background in special and general education, ranging from pre-k to university learning, Trish brings a passion for helping students and adults not only succeed but thrive. Currently, she oversees a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Restorative Practices, and Behavioral Health and Management for Washoe County School District (WCSD), a large district in Northern Nevada. In addition to her “boots on the ground” experience, Trish has consulted and provided technical assistance for multiple schools and districts and has been a fierce advocate for policy enacting SEL in schools. Trish has been an invited TED Talk speaker, given multiple conference and event addresses, and is a published author in her field. Additionally, Trish was the 2013 recipient of the “Mary Utne O’Brien Award for Excellence in Expanding the Evidence-Based Practice of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL).”
3:55pm ET
Industry Perspective: Social-Emotional Learning and Academic Success
Content provided by Second Step
Discover how research-based social-emotional learning (SEL) supports academic success and increase your fluency in explaining the benefits of SEL to others. During this presentation by Second Step experts, you’ll learn how to actively promote the connection between SEL and academics in your school or district and become an even stronger advocate for SEL.
Discover how research-based social-emotional learning (SEL) supports academic success and increase your fluency in explaining the benefits of SEL to others. During this presentation by Second Step experts, you’ll learn how to actively promote the connection between SEL and academics in your school or district and become an even stronger advocate for SEL.
Jennifer Sanderlin
Development Manager, Education Partnerships,
Committee for Children
Since coming to Committee for Children in 2013, Jennifer Sanderlin has worked closely with schools, districts, and non-profit organizations to adopt and support social-emotional learning, child protection, and bullying prevention initiatives across the U.S. In her current role as the is the Education Partnerships Development Manager, she serves as a connector and convener internally and externally to bring people, ideas, and resources together to help create safe and supportive schools for all children. With bachelor’s degrees in both sociology and elementary education, and her more than two decades of experience working in elementary and early childhood education, out-of-school time and nonprofit settings as a teacher, leader, and trainer, Jennifer considers herself lucky to help make the world a better place every day.
4:05pm ET
Interactive Session: Putting SEL Into Action: How to Make It Relevant for Your Community
Learn how to put SEL into action in ways that are best suited to the unique needs of your school community. The session will focus on the steps schools need to take to make SEL relevant for students, parents, teachers, and principals.
4:20pm ET
Closing Thoughts
Lauraine Langreo is an Education Week staff writer, covering education technology, student well-being, and college and workforce readiness.
