Wanted to resurrect this thread again to hopefully instill some hope in you all.
As many of you know my job has changed quite a bit this year, and while there have been some bumps in the road getting to today, November 9, 2021 - I can honestly say today was the most reinvigorating day of my career.
I have taken over Social/Emotional Learning consulting at my ISD (ISDs in Michigan are the middle man between local districts and the state department of Ed. We provide professional learning and support to a number of local districts in our region. The one I'm primarily housed out of services 7 schools. Another vein of my job has me shared between 10 ISDs (which is 134 school districts) - but that last part isn't relevant to this story, just gives you a sense of what ISDs are)
Today was the first professional learning opportunity under this new hat I wear. We had 3 of our 7 locals at the table (two couldn't come today but are coming to our next meeting) to begin building a shared language of what Social Emotional Learning is and isn't, and began to take steps to build it into the fabric of all we do in schools. The teams that came today were made up of social workers, guidance counselors, a few teachers, a few paraprofessionals, several principals - all from the makeup I required for attendance.
You guys - when I tell you the conversations we had today were amazing, I phrase it that way simply because my exhausted brain can't process a better word or sentence. At it's heart, SEL is about getting to the heart of people. We have competencies on self awareness, social awareness, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and self management. In each of those exist things like empathy, kindness (and a boatload of other good things). The conversations that were had today all centered around how to build this into the framework of these three locals and I believe it's the right people to begin that work. It's going to take some time to get off the ground, but more importantly my new boss sat in for most of the day and is finally starting to "get" why this is important (and that I sort of know what I'm talking about - it's not about buying a program!)
I have a lot of hope for our rural area in undertaking this work. Seeds were planted today that will blossom and grow over the coming months and years. I love what I did today, and I can't wait to bring them back together again in January.
So the "good people" I want you all to know about are some nameless counselors, social workers, principals, paraprofessionals, and teachers in a small area of Northern Michigan. Send them all a little light as they grow to be light workers themselves in their districts changing the narratives. I'm certain they can do it!
So the "good people" I want you all to know about are some nameless counselors, social workers, principals, paraprofessionals, and teachers in a small area of Northern Michigan. Send them all a little light as they grow to be light workers themselves in their districts changing the narratives. I'm certain they can do it!
Thank you for resurrecting this thread with a personal story of your own. I love reading about all these unsung heroes in your district. I want to add the name of another good person who raises us up higher -- You, Dannyboy.
Hi dannyboy,
I had a quick look online to see if that was something we might also do here. I have found some websites, which may or may not be of interest. Glad you are enjoying what you are doing now.
https://beyou.edu.au/fact-sheets/social-and-emotional-learning
https://www.education.vic.gov.au/school/teachers/health/mentalhealth/Pages/socialemotion.aspx
Regards
Matildagirl
@matildagirl that’s the stuff exactly! :-)
one of hundreds of things other countries have done a lot longer than US in the field of education but - we’ve been chasing the almighty standardized test score as the indicator of teacher worth longer and harder than anyone. That’s why the push to bring this in is so exciting - it’s a silver lining for the pandemic as a whole that it’s brought a focus to the social and emotional needs of people back to the forefront. And my teams are so powerful!
@jeanne-mayell, @lynn I appreciate your kind words. Providing the space to have the conversation is nowhere near as important as going back and doing the work, but I’ll admit I fought hard to provide the space. Maybe I’m the initial grow lamp? ?. Seriously though you’re too kind and I appreciate everyone here so much for giving me a place to remember the good in the world.
As a longtime educator i hang on your every word. Your job sounds interesting and inspiring.
For me it is the spirits of the children that shine so brightly, leading the way, reminding us of our best selves.
This is why I chose to become a teacher, and not make singing my career. Children bring so much light to this world.
It's a privilege to be a teacher.
For me it is the spirits of the children that shine so brightly, leading the way, reminding us of our best selves.
Leaving the classroom was the hardest decision ever, but I still find ways to get my "kid fix" when I need it. They truly are remarkable and they always fill me with hope.
Given the current climate I'd say we're one more pandemic year away from a mass uprising of educators.
Cats. Don't overlook them. They can find a venomous snake in your Christmas tree and save you life. Good kitties.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/14/africa/christmas-tree-snake-scli-intl/index.html
Great story. Speaking of....years ago shortly before Christmas, as I walked into the living room, I thought there was something odd about our 7 foot tree. It finally dawned upon me that there was a new and interesting ornament right below the angel topper. Our newly adopted black and white kitten was resting regally on a branch looking outward, surveying his domain. Every Christmas, for the rest of his life, I learned to look for him somewhere in the tree, often finding him stretched across branches in the center, sleeping soundly in his fir-y bed. (couldn't resist..)
In Other News, Puerto Rico just exited bankruptcy following the largest public debt restructuring in history.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2022/03/16/puerto-rico-exits-bankruptcy/7064653001/