Educators need to focus changing the fabric of our school communities by creating resilient schools that meet the social, emotional and academic needs of our students. Social and Emotional Literacy (SEL) is a proven student-centered approach to education that integrates the social, emotional, and academic dimensions of learning. SEL improves educational success by helping students manage their emotions, build effective relationships, and work through life’s challenges in constructive and ethical ways. Research links SEL to better school climate, stronger commitment to learning, fewer negative behaviors, and higher standardized test scores.
The ability to navigate through the challenges that we are presented with daily was described by Aristotle when he said:
Anyone can become angry – this is easy.
But to be angry with the right person,
To the right degree, at the right time,
For the right purpose, and
In the right way
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That is not easy.
To provide students with the necessary skills and competencies to meet these challenges we need to create resilient schools that utilize SEL as a proactive approach. This approach will focus on creating a school culture that provides Dignity for All Students by:
While bullying is a pervasive problem in many schools, schools can take specific steps to improve the school climate and encourage positive interactions designed to reduce or prevent bullying. Schools using a social and emotional learning (SEL) framework can foster an overall climate of inclusion, warmth, and respect, and promote the development of core social and emotional skills among both students and staff. Because bullying prevention is entirely congruent with SEL, it can be embedded in a school’s SEL framework. (Researchers: Ragozzino and O’Brien 2009)
In order to effectively combat bullying, we need to develop an ongoing process that focuses on a reflective process that includes: education, intervention, prevention and behavior management.
If we naturally integrate this process into the culture of our school community, we are able to bring about systemic change. By developing a culture where all constituencies effectively utilize a common knowledge base of research-based strategies you are not only developing an awareness but also providing an understanding of what skills and strategies can be utilized in handling each of the situations. Through these efforts all constituencies understand that bullying is not addressed in isolation, but it is interconnected with refining social, emotional, ethical, and academic literacy skills and competencies. These skills and competencies have a positive impact on one’s attitude and behavior, a ripple effect on the culture of the school community and will ultimately bring about systemic change. (Olweus, Limber, & Mihalic, 1999; Pepler, Craig, Ziegler, & Charach, 1994)
Systemic change focuses on a clear vision that is understood and supported by all constituencies in a school community. The importance of SEL integration into the fabric of a school community is best summarized by Aristotle when he said . . .
Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.
About Cecile Wren . . .
Cecile Wren has been involved in the field of education for 45 years. She is currently an educational consultant, a certified test administrator and coach for the Mayer-Salovey-Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test (MSCEIT), and a NYS approved Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) Instructor. Cecile designs training programs, teaches online courses, and has presented at local, state, national and international conferences that focus on Social and Emotional Learning, UPSTANDER Responsibility and Anti- Bullying, The Theory of Self-First, and Adjusting Your Mind-Set.
Cecile’s experiences include the following: New York State Dignity for All Students Curriculum Coordinator/Trainer, Senior Faculty Member at the National School Climate Center, Senior Coach for the Academy of Educational Development, and administrative mentor for the New York State Southern Westchester BOCES. In addition, she was the past-president of the New York State Nassau County Middle School Principal’s Association; a Liaison to the New York State Education Department; a member of the Social and Emotional Literacy Forum (SELF), and served on the Love Is Not Abuse Advisory Board for Liz Claiborne Inc.
Educating the mind and the heart is her passion.
Cecile provides a complimentary consultation for schools who are interested in integrating SEL into the fabric of their school community.
917.834.0936
Cecile and her husband moved to California in 2015 and reside in Laguna Niguel.
Photo via Shutterstock