The Epstein School is an independent Jewish day school serving 450 students in early childhood programs through eighth grade, located in Sandy Springs, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. The school offers integrated, dual-language learning that cultivates lifelong skills, inspires Jewish identity, and nurtures curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity. At Epstein, innovation is a core philosophy. All students participate in J-STEAM activities – a blend of Judaic Studies with science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics – which brings Jewish values and texts into the 21st century. This case study explores how The Epstein School scaled SEL to include social media and tech education, while simultaneously lightening teacher workload.
The Epstein School’s Challenges
- How do we equip faculty with the skills they need to effectively talk to students about this ever-changing topic?
- How do we incorporate social media and technology education in a positive way that will resonate with students, without resorting to scare tactics?
- How do we easily integrate school-wide SEL on a regular basis with minimal ramp-up time for faculty?
- How do we empower families to navigate social media and technology with similar language and themes, so they can continue the conversations at home?
