Social Emotional Learning
December 12, 2023
Click the image below to see the video, or follow this link: What is SEL and How Does it Support Mental Well Being?
This month's blog comes from Tammy Bolen, SEL Program Supervisor.
Why does SEL help promote wellbeing in both students and educators? If we examine the definition, we begin to understand why. SEL is the process through which individuals build awareness and skills in managing emotions, setting goals, establishing relationships, and making responsible decisions that support success in school and life.
Take a moment to reflect on times in your life when you did NOT manage your emotions, or make good decisions, or have healthy relationships. What impact did that have on you? Can you think of co-workers who struggle with communication because of their emotions? Have you watched friends struggle because of unhealthy relationships or have you seen loved ones deal with the consequence of poor decisions?
SEL promotes well-being by strengthening skills that build success in these crucial areas. Research shows that SEL reduces emotional distress, it helps students to feel better about themselves, others, and school. When students feel connected to their teachers and peers, they are more motivated to engage in school, and more able to handle the challenges that go along with learning. When emotions are not managed, they can interfere with learning, memory, and positive behaviors.
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In a time when student mental health is in crisis and educator staff retention is at its lowest in decades, focusing on social and emotional well-being, and building the social emotional skills in education staff and students can help increase motivation and a sense of belonging.
Click the graph above to learn more or follow this link to the Rand Research Report: Restoring Teacher and Principal Well-Being Is an Essential Step for Rebuilding Schools: Findings from the State of the American Teacher and State of the American Principal Surveys
Mental Health and SEL are not the same thing and SEL is not meant to replace mental health support. SEL can help promote positive mental health. Implementing SEL broadly across the school, intentionally embedding SEL into classroom content, and focusing on building adult social emotional skills ensures that all students and staff can reap the benefits that SEL can provide.
The SEL Framework: the three Essential Elements and the four Guiding Principles are designed for educators to center student learning with guiding practices so educators can be more confident and competent in teaching social, emotional, and academic content. Building Adult Capacity equates to educators who feel heard, valued, and respected in their roles as teachers. When policies and practices are in place to support staff, and their well-being needs are addressed, school and community culture shifts, and students benefit.
To learn more, read Advancing and Sustaining Student and Staff Wellbeing Initiatives: A Resource Guide for States.
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There will be no December meeting. An in-person meeting will be held on Thursday, January 18, 2024 from 8:30–10:30 at OSPI. As always, we offer this link to provide written public comment at any time by using the comment link on the SEL website.
More information is available on the SEL Advisory Committee webpage. If you have questions, please email Tammy Bolen.
Want to make a difference in Social Emotional Learning in Washington?
The SEL Advisory Committee is accepting applications for new members to fill vacant seats. We would love for you to apply if you have the following:
- A passion for helping our students and for social emotional learning
- You have the time and capacity to fill the position for a year (The Advisory Committee’s 2023–2024 schedule is in the application.)
If you apply for a seat that is currently filled, we are happy to hold applications to fill future vacancies. Our current vacancies are:
- Two Tribal representative members who have experience working in and with schools—one member from east of the crest of the Cascade mountains; and one member from west of the crest of the Cascade mountains (Tribal approval required)
- One representative from a foundation that supports social emotional learning
For more information on the SEL Advisory Committee, please visit our web page. If you have any questions, please contact Emme Williamson.
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As required by state law (RCW 28A.655.070), OSPI develops the state’s learning standards and periodically revises them based on the student learning goals in RCW 28A.150.210. You are invited to hear from OSPI content leads who will share timelines and processes, and an update to the ELA, mathematics, and science learning standards. OSPI is working collaboratively across divisions to develop resources that integrate content areas (social studies, arts, health and fitness, media literacy and digital citizenship, financial education, social emotional learning) and provide inclusionary, linguistically, and culturally sustaining instruction.
A full description of the Learning Standards Review process can be found on the Washington State Learning Standards Review webpage.
Thursday, December 14, 2023
3:00–4:30pm
Click the image above to register or visit the Zoom Registration page to sign up for the webinar. Please send inquiries or questions to the Standards Review Team Inbox.
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 What keeps staff members coming back year after year? What are the administrative moves that create a culture of wellness? If you’re looking for some fresh ideas on how to think about organizational wellness not just at an individual level but as a holistic experience, you’ll want to attend this webinar. We’re bringing you OSPI’s Mental Health Program Supervisor Lead, Bridget Underdahl to talk about what it takes to create a systems approach to wellness that’s grounded in educational equity. We’ll have a panel of practitioners to share examples of how this work has evolved in Central Kitsap School District and in Seattle Public Schools and we’ll offer you intentional tools, resources, and structures to help you get started. Free Clock Hours are available through pdEnroller.
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
10:00–11:30am
Click the image above to register or visit the Zoom Registration page to sign up for the webinar series. To review previous sessions, visit the Graduation Equity Webinar page.
These resources may contain links to websites operated by third parties. These links are provided for your convenience only and do not constitute or imply any endorsement or monitoring by OSPI.
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