Social and Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is based on the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning core social and emotional competencies. SEL is integrated into the day-to-day work of MTSD educators and can take place informally and formally through conversations, exercises and activities. Our SEL efforts are led by personnel who are part of the Student Services Department, including our Social Emotional Coaches. The intent of SEL is to support students emotionally as they learn to focus, self-regulate, have better classroom behavior and build positive relationships with their peers and adults. As these skills and connections are strengthened, it puts students in a better position to optimize their performance as learners, processing information and more effectively engaging academically during class.
How is SEL integrated into everyday instruction?
SEL in MTSD is a part of our daily work - educators use the following competencies to create meaningful interactions with students to enhance the learning process, creating a welcoming environment for all learners.
- Self-Awareness: Recognizing emotions, assessing ones’ strengths and challenges
- Self-Management: Controlling emotions and impulses, managing stress, self-motivation, setting and achieving goals
- Social Awareness: Identifying others’ emotions, showing empathy, understanding other perspectives
- Relationship Skills: Building healthy relationships, communication skills, conflict resolution, working, playing and learning with others
- Responsible Decision-making: Making wise choices, evaluating potential consequences
Each of the above competencies integrates well with other priorities used to develop the whole child such as student collaboration & engagement, Academic & Career Planning, student wellness, the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), and promoting students’ work readiness skills.
MTSD Social Emotional Coaches work with educators to assist in in building students’ existing skills and mentality to help them succeed in school and in the broader world. Through proactive and responsive support, MTSD students develop social emotional skills in ways that are applicable across various areas of their lives, more sustainable over time, and flexible to changing goals and priorities across their post-secondary endeavors.
SEL in MTSD
The Notable 9 - Skills for Workforce Readiness
