{"id":79738,"date":"2024-07-31T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-07-31T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/casel.org\/?post_type=blogposts&#038;p=79738"},"modified":"2024-07-30T11:27:24","modified_gmt":"2024-07-30T16:27:24","slug":"how-to-create-effective-sel-professional-learning","status":"publish","type":"blogposts","link":"https:\/\/casel.org\/blog\/how-to-create-effective-sel-professional-learning\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Create Effective SEL Professional Learning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"key-points\"><strong>Key Points<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Summer is a great time to start planning SEL for the school year!<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As a facilitator, you can infuse SEL into how you design sessions to ensure participants are actively engaged in their own learning.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use the strategies in this blog to offer teachers the tools and skills to support them while modeling model SEL for teachers and other staff.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>Though summer is here, it\u2019s not too early to start thinking about back-to-school and next year\u2019s professional learning!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Schoolwide SEL requires high-quality professional learning that helps staff develop practices that model and promote SEL. And it\u2019s most effective when it invites educators to be active participants in their learning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>SEL isn\u2019t just about the content: It\u2019s also about the \u201chow\u201d of teaching and interacting with others. Embedding SEL principles into professional learning makes it more effective for adults while also teaching them by modeling SEL. As a facilitator, you can infuse SEL into how you design sessions to ensure participants are actively engaged in their own learning. They\u2019ll practice their own social and emotional skills during professional learning when they exercise:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Self-awareness <\/strong>about their own effectiveness<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Self-management <\/strong>as they tune in to and manage emotions that surface<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Relationship skills <\/strong>as they share with and listen to their colleagues<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social awareness <\/strong>and <strong>responsible decision-making <\/strong>as they work together on solutions to improve instruction and supports for students<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some tips for creating professional learning that is hands-on, engaging, and effective by using SEL principles and practices:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"1-draw-on-learners-knowledge-and-experiences\"><strong>1. Draw on learners\u2019 knowledge and experiences<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p>Facilitators demonstrate respect for learners and curiosity about their contexts when they center the expertise and wisdom in the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Introduce <strong>self-awareness <\/strong>activities as a way to guide learners to examine and share their experiences, personal identities, and professional journeys in ways that elevate what they already know and recognize where there are learning opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The experience of being asked for input and of co-constructing shared knowledge and insights with colleagues can generate a more trusting, collaborative environment for adults, just as it does in classrooms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"2-build-the-engagement-around-connection-and-discussion\"><strong>2. Build the engagement around connection and discussion<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p>When there is little time and much to learn, it can be tempting to focus solely on disseminating information and shortchange time for learners to talk. Discussion is an essential way that adults integrate and apply new information. This supports educators in more effectively carrying out their SEL implementation role, while also fostering connections and belonging among learners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/signaturepractices.casel.org\/four-corners\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Activities such as the SEL 3 Signature Practices<\/strong><\/a><strong> <\/strong>that engage <strong>social awareness <\/strong>and <strong>relationship skills <\/strong>guide learners to co-create new understandings with colleagues that support changes in mindsets and practices over time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"3-encourage-experiential-collaborative-problem-solving\"><strong>3. Encourage experiential collaborative problem-solving<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p>Reading and hearing new information can build a knowledge base, but collaborative inquiry is more effective in making a lasting change in practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Activities that encourage <strong>problem-solving <\/strong>and inclusive <strong>decision-making <\/strong>about real issues, such as our <a href=\"https:\/\/schoolguide.casel.org\/resource\/sel-data-reflection-protocol\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>SEL Data Reflection Protocol<\/strong><\/a>, support learner agency and collective efficacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Facilitators position themselves as a co-learner, trusting that the group can work together to devise solutions to the challenges they face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"4-prioritize-time-for-application-and-practice\"><strong>4. Prioritize time for application and practice<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p>As facilitator, your goal is to move a group from learning to understanding and application, providing tools that help them continually build expertise over time. Everyone applies learning to their work in different ways: Educators deserve time to process new ideas and information in the context of their ongoing work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Learning is more likely to impact practice when facilitators design professional development experiences that include choices, individual <strong>goal-setting<\/strong>, and time to work on a plan they will use with students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"get-ready-for-the-new-school-year\"><strong>Get Ready for the New School Year<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p>Using these strategies to prepare your staff to kick off the new school can set a pattern to follow for professional learning throughout the year while also modeling how to integrate SEL in classrooms and staff engagements. It\u2019s a great step toward starting the year off right!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"tools-and-resources\"><strong>Tools and Resources:<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p>Fine-tuning your presenter skills? See <a href=\"https:\/\/schoolguide.casel.org\/resource\/12-strategies-for-adult-sel-facilitation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>12 Strategies for Adult SEL Facilitation<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Planning an agenda for a team retreat? See <a href=\"https:\/\/drc.casel.org\/blog\/resource\/team-retreats-centering-sel-as-you-plan-facilitate-and-debrief\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Team Retreats<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Weaving SEL into other professional learning? Join one of CASEL\u2019s free online <a href=\"https:\/\/casel.regfox.com\/signature-practices-workshop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>SEL 3 Signature Practices workshops<\/strong><\/a>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Are you looking to plan SEL professional learning for the year? Visit <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/drc.casel.org\/strengthen-adult-sel-competencies-and-capacity\/professional-learning\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong><em>CASEL\u2019s District Resource Center for guidance.<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Related Posts:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/casel.org\/blog\/sel-quick-start-the-sel-3-signature-practices\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SEL Quick Start: The SEL 3 Signature Practices<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/casel.org\/blog\/how-can-districts-learn-about-sel-from-each-other-austin-and-albuquerque-lead-the-way\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How Can Districts Learn About SEL From Each Other? Austin and Albuquerque Lead the Way<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/casel.org\/blog\/three-important-shifts-in-our-guidance-on-adult-social-and-emotional-learning-sel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Three Important Shifts in our Guidance on Adult Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"write-for-us\"><strong>Write for Us<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p>Are you interested in writing for CASEL\u2019s blog, <em>Constellations<\/em>? <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/document\/d\/1zSZFveKA8xsmlCADpfDP8t-y9emN0qswHQh1MnfmqBI\/edit\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Learn more<\/a> about what we\u2019re looking for and how to pitch your idea!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Key Points Back to top Though summer is here, it\u2019s not too early to start thinking about back-to-school and next year\u2019s professional learning! Schoolwide SEL requires high-quality professional learning that helps staff develop practices that model and promote SEL. And it\u2019s most effective when it invites educators to be active participants in their learning. SEL [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":79740,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","theme":[201],"class_list":["post-79738","blogposts","type-blogposts","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","theme-deep-dives"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blogposts\/79738","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blogposts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blogposts"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79738"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79740"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79738"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/theme?post=79738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}