The top 10 takeaways from the 2021 #WinAtSocial summit
The Social Institute’s #WinAtSocial Summit brought together thought leaders and innovators to provide K-12 educators with insightful discussion and actionable strategies to support students’ social-emotional well-being as they returned to school this fall. Attendees learned how to level up their school’s SEL efforts, prepare for fall, and address the impact of social media and technology on student well-being. Together, we explored simple and effective strategies to navigate core competencies, from character development and soft skills to diversity and inclusion.
We were thrilled to bring together such innovative leaders and educators from across the country, including our partner schools, to join to speak about important topics in education.
Featured speakers included:
- Laura Tierney, Founder and CEO, The Social Institute
- Collins Few, History Teacher, Gaston Day (NC) TSI Partner School
- Candyce Owens, Dean of Students, Gaston Day (NC), TSI Partner School
- Sarah Morales, School Counselor, Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools (NC), TSI Partner School
- Laura Gentile, Executive VP of Commercial Marketing, ESPN
- Ambre Moton, Creative Services Manager, NBC Sports Northwest
- Gregory Dale, Director of Sports Psychology, Duke University
- Josh Lutkus, Partner Success, The Social Institute
- Lauren Stone, Partner Success, The Social Institute
- Andrea Jenkins, Account Executive, The Social Institute
- Brianna Ingram, Account Executive, The Social Institute
ICYMI: Read on to learn some of the top takeaways from this year’s #WinAtSocial Summit.
Takeaway #1: This year is new for everyone
#WinAtSocial Summit kicked off with our student panel, Insights into SEL and the Latest Social Media Trends, led by Josh Lutkus. We heard from student leaders, such as Temilade Onile, who shared her perspective on coming back to school this fall and her use of social media. She shared, “You never know what is happening in your students’ lives, and as we enter the school year, this is a new experience for everyone.” Temilade urged educators, students, and families to show patience and kindness to one another.
Takeaway #2: Social Media is not going away, thankfully!
Founder and CEO Laura Tierney shared the newest enhancements to TSI’s gamified SEL curriculum. In this session, she shared her insights on how social media is not going away but is a core part of student social life and social-emotional health.
Takeaway #3: Be where your feet are
In our session with Greg Dale on Pro Tips to Avoid Faculty Fatigue and Teacher Burnout, he shared a motivational saying popular in the athletic world: “Be where your feet are.” Dale encouraged attendees to live in the moment and stay engaged wherever they may be.
Takeaway #4: Social media is continuously evolving
Laura Gentile, Executive VP of Commercial Marketing at ESPN, shared her experiences at ESPN and what they can teach us about modern SEL. She emphasized that social media is continuously evolving, a critical part of our society, and essential in reaching younger audiences.
Takeaway #5: Teachers can empower students to navigate difficult conversations
In our conversations with Ambre Moton of NBC Sports Northwest and Candyce Owens of Gaston Day School, they highlighted how leading schools can navigate current events as they happen. For example, Candyce Owens said, “teachers can personally and authentically give the students a safe place to say how they feel; not give personal opinions, but be there to listen.”
Takeaway #6: What goes online stays online
Laurel, a Student Panelist, shared her insights about social media use and advised attendees to, “Make sure what you are putting out there is what you want to be seen, as nothing can be deleted from social media.”
Takeaway #7: SEL is critical to student success
Advisory can be a time where educators can put their guard down and have strong discussions. The #WinAtSocial program meets students on their level with modern SEL lessons that are turnkey for teachers to run. As CEO Laura Tierney shared, “long gone are the days of SEL programs not addressing social media and technology, and it is important to get on the same page as students.”
Takeaway #8: Social media can empower students
Christine, a Student Leader, spoke about her personal experiences using social media during our Student Panel. “People see teenagers on phones and think that they are just online. We are reading books, reading the news, learning to cook; we can do anything.” Social media opens up the gates for students to explore and navigate their social world, empowering them to connect with their communities and schools positively.
Takeaway #9: Stay Genuine
Collins Few, Gaston Day School History Teacher, and Sarah Morales, from Chapel Hill- Carrboro City Schools, shared facilitation tips on ways to have meaningful conversations with students. In addition, Few expressed the importance of staying intentional and staying genuine when developing relationships with students.
Takeaway 10: We loved sharing this experience with you!
We are so thankful to our speakers, thought leaders, innovators, students, and educators that joined in from all over the country to participate in our second annual #WinAtSocial Summit. We are excited to engage with you throughout the year and continue our mission of empowering students.
If you want more than just these takeaways, you can watch the whole #WinAtSocial Summit now.
Let’s do this!