While Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) has been around for a long time, it is quickly becoming one of the most talked about topics in education. If you’re like us, you’re probably thinking: IT’S ABOUT TIME. If you are relatively new to SEL and Mindfulness, that’s great. We are here to guide you.

This time of forced school closures and alternative learning presents the opportunity to learn more about how to implement SEL and how it’s connected to equity, cultural inclusivity and family engagement, school climate and safety, and academic achievement.

It seems the term Social Emotional Learning or SEL is everywhere these days. For many educators, this is met with a collective sigh of relief. At long last, we are talking about more than just academics and standardized testing when it comes to providing students with a quality education. To others, however, the buzz about SEL may be cause for concern. Is SEL merely a trend? Is it just the flavor of the month that will soon fade away only to be replaced by the next big idea in education?

There is a lot of research available about attributes that positively affect student achievement.  Most of the research is centered on educational practices and what works best with our students. But I dare say, students will thrive in an environment that’s positive and uplifting where they feel safe to take risks and voice their opinion.

The holidays are such a crazy time of year, especially in the classroom. Students are filled with excitement and anticipation, and it’s not easy to manage both your classroom and your own holiday to-do list. That’s why when the bell rings on the last day of school for the year, it's important to relax and unwind so that you return from break refreshed and ready to hit the ground running in January.

As teachers our jobs often extend well beyond just the academic aspect of education. We find ourselves building students’ leadership skills, supporting their social and emotional development, and teaching them what it looks like to be a civic-minded citizen in order to help them thrive beyond the walls of our classrooms.