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Academic knowledge alone is not enough to prepare students for success. Teachers need to go beyond traditional academics and teach critical social and emotional skills that enable students to thrive in and out of the classroom. Teaching social-emotional learning (SEL) leads to tremendous benefits for both students and teachers.
The Benefits of Social-Emotional Learning
Research shows that systematically teaching SEL skills improves students’ academic performance, behaviors, relationships, and mental health. Students who receive quality SEL instruction have better attendance records, grades, test scores, graduation rates, and college enrollment rates. SEL helps schools become safe, supportive learning environments where students feel engaged and connected.
Specific SEL skills that lead to positive student outcomes include:
- Self-awareness – understanding one’s emotions, values, strengths, and limitations
- Self-management – handling emotions and behaviors constructively
- Social awareness – understanding diverse perspectives and empathizing with others
- Relationship skills – communicating, cooperating, resisting inappropriate social pressure
- Responsible decision-making – making ethical, constructive choices about personal and social behavior
SEL also reduces problem behaviors like violence, bullying, and substance abuse. By teaching these vital skills, educators equip students to make wise choices, build healthy relationships, and succeed academically and socially.
How Teachers Benefit from SEL Instruction
Incorporating SEL into teaching practices not only helps students thrive, but also leads to reduced teacher stress, burnout, and turnover. Educating the whole child requires teachers to build strong connections with students. This increases teachers’ job satisfaction, as they can see their positive impact on student growth and well-being.
Teachers who implement SEL report improvements in their classrooms’ find they have greater connectedness to students and fewer disruptive behaviors. Their class time is freed up for more engaging instruction rather than discipline issues. SEL professional development gives teachers practical tools to create supportive learning environments where all students can reach their potential.
Implementing Social-Emotional Learning
SEL instruction is most effective when woven throughout the school day. This requires school-wide participation and commitment. Administrators must prioritize SEL by providing ongoing professional development, appropriate resources, and dedicated time for SEL lessons. Counselors, social workers, and school psychologists can provide coaching.
Here are some key ways teachers can incorporate SEL into their classrooms:
- Morning meetings – Students greet each other, share news, do an activity together
- Emotion check-ins – Students report their feelings; the teacher validates and discusses
- Conflict resolution – Students learn to address problems constructively
- Cooperative learning – Students work together and are accountable to each other
- Role-playing – Students practice empathy, cooperation, and dealing with bullying
- Classroom discussions – Students learn to listen, have civil discourse, and appreciate diverse views
- Growth mindset approaches – Students learn they can develop skills through practice
- Reflection – Students assess what they’ve learned and set goals for improvement
SEL lessons can be stand-alone or embedded into academic subjects through relevant examples, texts, and role-playing activities. When SEL is authentically incorporated throughout the school day, students develop critical life skills needed for success.
Further Training for Teachers
Teachers who want to increase their expertise in social-emotional learning can pursue online SEL certification from Fresno Pacific University. This comprehensive program provides educators with foundations in SEL theory, tools to create a positive classroom climate, and strategies to teach SEL skills in various contexts, from virtual settings to specific subject areas. With this valuable training, teachers gain confidence and competence to integrate SEL into their classrooms fully.
The benefits of prioritizing social-emotional learning in schools are far-reaching. SEL transforms school cultures and gives students vital skills to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Training teachers to integrate SEL through curriculum, instructional practices, and teacher-student relationships is a worthwhile investment that pays lifelong dividends for students.
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