This Month's SEL Conversation / October 2023

This month’s SEL-inspired art comes from Ontario, Canada

Dear Carolina,

At its core, social and emotional learning (SEL) is about people. It’s about understanding ourselves fully as human beings, connecting with and supporting one another, and creating healthy communities where everyone can thrive.

We often share the latest research, statistics, and best practices for SEL. This month, we want to feature stories from some of the people dedicated to building the field, and the people whose lives are improved through this work.

Sharing stories gives us a way to relate, communicate, empathize, and motivate. So as you read these stories, we encourage you to ask yourself:

What is my own SEL story, and how can I connect to the stories of others?

Read on to hear SEL stories from a student, education leaders, and a researcher. And we hope you’ll join us at the 2023 SEL Exchange, where we’re excited to connect, engage, and hear stories from thousands of SEL leaders across the globe!

JJ Holmes's Story: How SEL Helped Me Become Class President

“I was 15 years old, in a wheelchair, using an app on my iPad to communicate and typing everything with my nose. Most people have no idea of the challenges people like me face. They can’t climb into our skin, so the next best thing is to make sure we use tools like social and emotional learning (SEL) to teach our peers skills like empathy and social awareness.” Florida student JJ Holmes recently told us his SEL story, and how SEL created a more inclusive and welcoming learning environment in Seminole County Public Schools. Because of the focus on SEL, “no one mocked or laughed” when JJ decided to run for class president. In fact, he was elected “with a whopping 66% of the vote!” JJ’s story may seem exceptional but, as he reminds us, SEL is not just for some: “When schools provide the right environment, every student benefits.”



Stories from Melissa Pointer, LaTrayl Adams, and Santina Plottner: SEL Champions Across the Country

In Washington, Melissa Pointer led a Community Advisory Process that brought together students, staff, families, and community members to guide their SEL approach. In North Carolina, LaTrayl Adams hosted interactive SEL fairs across her district to raise awareness and create shared ownership with students and staff. In Kentucky, Santina Plottner launched “SEL Within,” a video podcast series dedicated to weaving SEL into teaching and supporting students, educators, and families. Through CASEL’s SEL Fellows Academy, these SEL champions have brought their stories together to support SEL in each of their communities. Learn more about our 2023 Fellows cohort, representing 44 districts and regional offices of education across the nation.



Dr. Christina Cipriano’s Story: My Path to SEL Research

Before Dr. Christina Cipriano led researchers on a major SEL study, she was a high school student disappointed by how communities were dealing with the news of school shootings. She wrote a letter to a local Congressperson that got her invited to the White House to join a youth anti-violence initiative. And that was how her SEL story began: “I didn’t know I was going into SEL work… but it really did find me.” The experience eventually led her to focus on improving conditions for all students, and her latest research demonstrates how SEL leads to improved sense of school safety. At CASEL, we hope to support and inspire the next generation of researchers like Dr. Cipriano through our Weissberg Scholars program. Learn more about our new cohort of Weissberg Scholars and the innovative work they are building for the next generation.

Only 13 days left. Register today!

Register for the 2023 SEL Exchange, Leaders as Learners: Building the Village Our Children Need, where you’ll connect in person with education leaders from around the world.

With nearly 300 sessions for educators, school and district leaders, researchers, policymakers, caregivers, out-of-school time providers, and community partners, the SEL Exchange has something for everyone. You won’t want to miss it, so act now!

Interested in Exhibiting at the 2023 SEL Exchange? There is just one week left to claim your spot in the exhibit hall. This is a great opportunity to promote your company, network with conference attendees, and get a complimentary ticket to the conference. Learn more!

Community Spotlight

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• CASEL Blog: 5 Dos and Don’ts of SEL-Based Collaborative Learning

• Tes Magazine: Why ‘Flourishing’ Matters in Schools

• Nov 15: CASEL Program Guide Submissions Open

• Jan 16: Registration deadline for CASEL Workshop Series on Leading Schoolwide SEL

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