At SEED, checking in on the well-being of each student has always been a priority. “We’re committed to making sure our students are emotionally okay. We have created an environment where kindness and compassion are key and where our students know that we care,” shared Brian Rahaman, head of school at SEED DC.
The shift to remote learning sparked the opportunity to evaluate our current social and emotional supports. Over the summer, SEED leaders convened to ensure that our programming was being consistently implemented across the SEED network and that our students are also being supported while learning from home. Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
After a vetting process, four practices to keep our schools aligned around SEL were chosen.
Using these practices, our team can make certain all SEED students have the support they need to fully engage, to maintain or renew their confidence in learning, and to ultimately increase their academic achievement. “Because of the pandemic, remote learning, and the trauma our students may be facing, incorporating SEL practices throughout our entire program is now more important than ever. It has to be at the forefront of everything we do,” shared Dr. Chloe Marshall, director of leadership and program design at The SEED Foundation.
How SEL practices show up will differ per classroom. Before jumping into class, several SEED teachers now begin each lesson with a community building exercise or whip-around (an activity that allows students to voice their opinions and thoughts at the start or conclusion of a lesson). Others have chosen to incorporate a reflection period at the end of each class where a current, national topic is discussed, and students are encouraged to journal their thoughts. At SEED DC, an advisory program was designed to provide a structured way to check in frequently with students. “Once a week five to seven students come together to check in and discuss how they are doing personally and how they are managing their academics. This program enables us to check in with our students and to find out what—if any—support is needed,” said Brian Rahaman.
As we approach the completion of our first month of remote learning for the 2020-2021 school year, a community of SEED directors, teachers, and student life staff is forming to evaluate the execution of SEL across the SEED network. This group will share challenges, successes, and recommendations to ensure we are all moving in the right direction and that sustainable practices are being applied. “There is a body of research that shows strong SEL programming leads to greater productivity and increased student achievement/outcomes. By establishing a SEL Community of Practice, staff can share best practices across the network – moving with greater momentum to impact the lives of students,” shared Dr. Marshall.
Learn more about social and emotional learning and how educators, parents, students, and employers nationally are increasingly recognizing the value of SEL.