5 Classroom Strategies for Social Emotional Learning Support

Michele HaikenBlog, Connect Better, Differentiate Better, Engage Better, Innovate Better, Lead Better, Lesson Plan Better, Manage Better, Reflect Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Social emotional learning is already integrated into everyday teaching, helping students develop essential life skills alongside academic knowledge. Teachers can enhance SEL by implementing intentional strategies, such as reflection for self-awareness, authentic assessments for social awareness, choice boards for responsible decision making, checklists for self-management, and promoting collaboration and cooperation for building relationship skills. These practices align with CASEL’s … Read More

Think Better: Supporting Students in Times of Stress

Lindsay TitusBlog, Connect Better, Lead Better, Reflect Better, Self Care Better

TL;DR: Supporting students during times of stress requires a mindful and empathetic approach. Four steps to help students through stressful situations: self-reflection and emotional awareness, understanding the student’s needs and desires, evaluating the environment, and crafting an empathetic response. By practicing these steps, educators can foster emotional well-being, resilience, and growth in students while creating a nurturing and supportive environment. … Read More

Supporting Student Mental Health in the Classroom

Melissa PelochinoBlog, Connect Better, Reflect Better, Self Care Better

TL;DR: Students everywhere are struggling with mental health. Their behaviors are often a result of a specific need. There are tools to help students reflect on what is in their control, identify their need and then ask for it. Supporting Student Mental Health in the Classroom The statistics are sobering. Month after month and week after week, organizations and agencies are … Read More

Heart of Education: Classroom Families

Jennifer WaldvogelBlog, Connect Better, Engage Better, Manage Better, Self Care Better, Teach Happier

TL;DR: Children may have a hard time recognizing their talents and skills. Educators can build students’ conflict resolution toolkit with stress reduction tools and empathy practice. Open each class with an activity that grounds students into the present moment. There’s a reason educators call students their “kids.” If schools are microcosms of society, then the classroom is a representation of … Read More

Relationships & Communication: 3 Strategies for Success at School and Home

Tre GammageBlog, Lead Better, Manage Better

TL;DR: Strong relationships lead to more success. Be flexible with your communication style to help support everyone. In 2016, LinkedIn published an article declaring that 85% of jobs are filled through networking. And most of these jobs are filled before they are even posted online (Adler 2020). This has nothing to do with education but everything to do with relationships. They … Read More