Empowering Students through Transformative SEL

“SEL is the universal life jacket, keeping students afloat and open to learning. Only when children learn in psychologically safe environments that nurture their emotion skills can they move from helplessness to resilience, from anxiety to action, from scattered to centered, from isolated to connected.” – Marc Brackett, Ph.D. Social and emotional learning (SEL) can … read more »

5 Social-Emotional Learning Activities for National School Counseling Week

School Counselors provide a unique and vital role within their schools. According to the American School Counselor Association (ACSA), they “lead, advocate, and collaborate to promote equity and access for all students.” Their role includes support for both the academic and social-emotional needs of the students served. This year’s National School Counseling Week theme is School Counseling: … read more »

Infusing SEL Into Everyday Instruction

It is critical to teach students strategies to deal with emotions and interact respectfully with peers. As a father of six, life can be crazy. My wife, also a teacher, enjoys our bedtime routine of reading aloud to our children. Recently, we read Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes. Lilly brings a purple plastic … read more »

Strategies to Increase Teen Self Esteem During Remote Learning

Did you know that May is Mental Health Month? Mental Health America and its affiliates have spent this month raising awareness since 1949, but it’s a particularly important topic today. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted our students’ lives. Everyday experiences that helped build their self-esteem suddenly shifted to school closures, social distancing, quarantines, and remote … read more »

10 Self-Care Resources for Educators

“In a society that says, ‘Put yourself last,’ self-love and self-acceptance are almost revolutionary.” Brené Brown Breathe. Relax.  Slow down.  Nothing seems to work. The stress stays with you like your two-year-old when you want to go to the bathroom. Maybe it is because you haven’t placed the importance on your well-being as much as … read more »