Last week was Social Emotional Learning Week nationwide, but Gardner teachers are focusing on the emotional growth of our students every day. When our teachers talk about SEL, or Social Emotional Learning, it is a chance for them to share their thoughtful and targeted approaches to meeting student needs in managing emotions, building relationships, and making responsible decisions. Motivating a student to try again when a task is hard, or coaching students through kind resolutions of disagreements are modeled through teacher actions, connected stories and examples, and specific instructional tools like the RULER curriculum (for older grades) and the Slumberkins curriculum (for younger grades). Including instructional time for this work has always been important, but in the last few years schools across the country have seen it as especially critical to combat the increased challenges children are facing.

At Gardner, we teach students skills such as self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social problem-solving. According to a report from CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning), students who receive SEL instruction tend to experience decreased anxiety and depression, increased life satisfaction, and improved self-image. By creating an open learning environment, students feel more connected, supported, and confident, even when struggling with a problem or conflict.

This process isn't easy! Our students are learning these skills, and they practice them every day. While there may be a particular lesson teachers introduce as a proactive teaching opportunity, some of the most important teachings come from responding to the students' needs as they come up. By practicing these skills, and having the space to make mistakes and find kindness and support as they try again, our students are better equipped to face future challenges after they graduate from Gardner.