How to implement social-emotional learning successfully
As schools invest in social-emotional programs, implementation plans become critical to long term success. With intentional efforts to build a plan, integrating SEL successfully can be a simple process.
Collaborate with Your Team
As your school onboards faculty to the new program, set the stage for collaboration. Faculty need to be part of the process, giving them a chance to learn about the program, why it matters, and how to provide the greatest benefit to their students. Details matter. For example, determine the number and frequency of SEL lessons that your school plans to run.
What does a win look like for you? SEL can be an enormous benefit and critical investment. To begin seeing benefits, we recommend first sitting down to evaluate your goals. What does your school community need? What student competencies are most important at this point?
Consider these 3 questions to determine where your school should focus their efforts:
- Who will facilitate social-emotional lessons?
- With teachers, counselors, and other support staff, first decide who will facilitate lessons.
- When will facilitators run lessons?
- Determining what point of the day students will learn lessons (in history, advisory, health, etc.) gives your school a map of the student experience and ensures that SEL is integrated throughout.
- What lessons will they run?
- Programs like TSI’s #WinAtSocial Program can recommend curriculum calendars. Or, schools can select whatever they want based on their priorities and student needs.
A Shared Learning Experience
Incorporating SEL education does not stop after the initial rollout of a new program. We recommend a collaborative approach can include lunch & learn sessions, recorded “how to” videos, or live presentations. Often, the best learning is between peers, encouraging teachers to share tips with each other and build community around this important work.
Some teachers may take more time than others to feel comfortable with new materials. To support all teachers, it can help to nominate program leaders. These champions of the program can answer questions, guide the implementation, and help teachers adopt the program. Schools can create a common language about SEL and provide useful tips to foster healthy student experiences.
Working with Students
When it comes to social media and technology, students probably know more than most teachers. And that is OK! Research suggests that teens have the highest ‘digital quotient’ or digital understanding, compared to children and adults. Sometimes teachers have to crack a smile or show vulnerability when they talk about social media. And social media is an important topic because it has a significant impact on student wellbeing.
Both students and teachers have struggled this year adapting to the changing environment, so consider starting a conversation about how we’ve all been challenged by technology use and change. We’re in this together!
The Social Institute’s Unique Approach
We want you to #WinAtSocial, and we take our work seriously. Our initial implementation is brief, with asynchronous learning for lesson facilitators and regular training sessions throughout the year. We provide professional development opportunities and give our partner schools the best possible customer service.
We can save schools time, money, and frustration by providing a turnkey SEL program that incorporates social media, technology use. Our interactive learning platform is designed to support students, faculty and parents – delivering best-in-class learning experiences to students nationwide.
About The Social Institute
The Social Institute partners with schools nationwide to empower students, families, and educators to positively navigate social-emotional health, social media, and technology. Schools access our student-respected, turnkey curriculum through WinAtSocial.com, an interactive, gamified learning platform. With solutions for students, parents, and educators, we offer a systemic and comprehensive SEL program through a unique and positive approach. We are proud to serve public and independent partners such as Ravenscroft School, Woodward Academy, Oldfields School, All Saints Episcopal School, Lake Forest School District, Boston Public Schools, and more. For more information on how to empower your students to make high-character decisions online and off, please contact us.