{"id":80023,"date":"2024-09-19T12:05:57","date_gmt":"2024-09-19T17:05:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/casel.org\/?post_type=blogposts&#038;p=80023"},"modified":"2024-09-19T12:05:58","modified_gmt":"2024-09-19T17:05:58","slug":"a-relationship-fueled-learning-community-teachers-and-students-in-california-share-the-impact-of-sel","status":"publish","type":"blogposts","link":"https:\/\/casel.org\/blog\/a-relationship-fueled-learning-community-teachers-and-students-in-california-share-the-impact-of-sel\/","title":{"rendered":"A Relationship-Fueled Learning Community: Teachers and Students in California Share the Impact of SEL"},"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>A team from CASEL visited a school in Santa Ana, California, to learn more about how they integrate social and emotional learning (SEL) into education.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Throughout our visit, we were struck by how deeply SEL is embedded in everything from instruction and curriculum to daily routines and school culture.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hear first-hand about the impact of this work from the school\u2019s teachers, staff, and students.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Thanks to generous grant funding from the <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/stuartfoundation.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Stuart Foundation<\/em><\/a><em>, CASEL hosted two convenings of SEL leaders in California to provide in-person networking, learning, and collaboration. This past May, Colleen Ferreira, Social-Emotional Learning Coordinator for the Orange County Department of Education, hosted one of these convenings for both district and regional leaders from Southern California, to join a two-day gathering including school visits and deep conversation focused on shared opportunities.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Colleen, an alumni of CASEL\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/casel.org\/systemic-implementation\/sel-in-school-districts\/sel-fellows-academy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SEL Fellows Academy<\/a>, arranged for us to visit Magnolia Science Academy (MSA), a charter school serving just over 500 TK-12 students in Santa Ana, California, to observe their social and emotional learning (SEL) efforts and hear from teachers, students, and administrators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout our visit, we were struck by how deeply SEL is embedded in everything from instruction and curriculum to daily routines and school culture. Most striking was the sense of connection and community, a theme we heard again and again in conversations with administrators, teachers, and students.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These positive relationships\u2014among administrators, teachers, students, families, and the community\u2014are built through intentional efforts that can be replicated at other schools. Read on to hear from students and teachers about how to cultivate positive relationships\u2014and the powerful impact these relationships have on school culture, student success, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"teacher-to-teacher\"><strong>Teacher to Teacher<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>School leaders create space for and explicitly prioritize teacher community and collective efficacy.<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe have such amazing staff. I think all of us are good people, and we genuinely care about each other and our students. We celebrate each other\u2019s birthdays. We have potlucks. It\u2019s really nice to have this sense of community.\u201d\u2014Fifth grade teacher<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201c[The teachers] trust each other. If I&#8217;m handling one situation, I know I can hand something off to someone else, and come back together to talk through it later.\u201d\u2014School counselor<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt feels like [the teachers] are friends, and we\u2019re always connecting. If there\u2019s something that comes up, we don\u2019t hold off, we immediately connect with each other and discuss our concerns.\u201d\u2014English teacher<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"teacher-to-student\"><strong>Teacher to Student<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Teachers prioritize connecting with students one-on-one from the start of the school year. As a result, students feel a sense of support and belonging.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re encouraged [by our administration] to spend the first couple of weeks each school year focused on getting to know students and setting a foundation for the year. I try to spend one-on-one time with my students and get to know my students personally. I feel that starts us off really well, for them to feel connected to me on some level.\u201d\u2014Fourth grade teacher<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cSEL is part of my daily structure of my class. I start with check-ins every day to see how the students are feeling, and I check in with them one-on-one as needed. If I don\u2019t take the time to ask students what\u2019s wrong when something is going on, it\u2019s going to take much more time later on when those feelings blow up.\u201d\u2014Social studies teacher<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe staff here is so supportive and welcoming. They\u2019re always asking about your day and if you need anything, and they always let us know that they\u2019re here for us. That makes me know that I can always feel comfortable talking to them, and I have someone always by my side supporting me.\u201d\u2014Senior student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIf you\u2019re new and you talk to staff, they\u2019ll remember who you are and that you had an interaction with them. It feels like family, in a way. They take the time to get to know you.\u201d\u2014Freshman student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTeachers take the time to learn how we learn, and they start to include that information in the way they teach us.\u201d\u2014Senior student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"student-to-student\"><strong>Student to Student<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>MSA\u2019s welcoming school culture, combined with opportunities like clubs and field trips, helps foster positive bonds between students.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThere are different clubs that offer new things, like wrestling and origami, that really build a sense of belonging with each other. They\u2019re always adding more clubs, so there are more people interacting, feeling welcomed, doing what they like.\u201d\u2014Eighth grade student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cAfter going on field trips, our students say, \u2018We come back even closer, and we have an even better, more impactful experience with our peers. Now it\u2019s like a home away from home at school.\u2019\u201d\u2014Eighth and ninth grade English teacher<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cIt really feels like everyone belongs here. My classmates like to ask the new kid questions to see what they have in common. If they don\u2019t have much in common, they\u2019ll say, \u2018You should talk to ____! You both like the same things!&#8217;\u201d\u2014Fourth grade student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI like that I don\u2019t feel left out. I might be sad outside, but when I get in here, I feel happy and joyful and grateful.\u201d\u2014Sixth grade student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"teacher-to-students-and-families\"><strong>Teacher to Students and Families<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Teachers and students find opportunities to cultivate authentic relationships beyond traditional classroom interactions, including through home visits.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve had the honor of having a home visit; two of my teachers came. I think it was really nice to have that connection with them.\u201d\u2014Freshman student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cDuring my home visit, the teacher said some positive things about me that I didn\u2019t know she thought about me. It changed my perspective on the teacher, and I started liking that class a lot more.\u201d\u2014Eighth grade student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cStudents sometimes bring up home visits years later, like, \u2018Remember when you came to my house? Do you remember this about my pets?\u2019\u201d\u2014Eighth grade teacher<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"positive-relationships-help-students-succeed\"><strong>Positive Relationships Help Students Succeed<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Students cite support and a sense of being known and appreciated by their teachers as essential to their academic success.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cOur teachers all want us to learn. So if we\u2019re struggling the old-fashioned way, they find a fun way to still help us learn math. A lot of people here gave me confidence and support, and I became a successful student.\u201d\u2014Fifth grade student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe teachers want you to succeed, so they help you get to your goals. And when you get there, they want you to pass that goal and keep going.\u201d\u2014Seventh grade student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cTeachers take the time to learn how <em>we<\/em> learn, and they start to include that information in the way they teach us.\u201d\u2014Senior student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cWhen I don\u2019t do well at something, my teacher and classmates always encourage me, and I keep learning new things.\u201d\u2014Fourth grade student<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"what-we-can-learn-from-this-approach-to-cultivating-relationships-schoolwide\"><strong>What We Can Learn From This Approach to Cultivating Relationships Schoolwide<\/strong><\/h2><a class=top href=\"#top\">Back to top<\/a>\n\n\n\n<p>Investing in positive relationships creates a sense of belonging and shared commitment to learning and growing as a community. Administrators create systems and structures that prioritize relationship-building and community connections. Students and teachers feel joyful, comfortable, and supported at school. Teachers collaborate effectively with one another and understand what supports each student\u2019s growth, and students feel empowered to succeed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some key relationship-building strategies that can be replicated at other schools:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Prioritize opportunities for school staff to <a href=\"https:\/\/schoolguide.casel.org\/focus-area-2\/collaborate\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">connect and collaborate<\/a>, developing a sense of community and shared purpose.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Connect <a href=\"https:\/\/schoolguide.casel.org\/resource\/5-minute-chats-with-students\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one-one-one with students<\/a>\u2014these interactions can be as simple as noting a shared interest or asking about their day.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create <a href=\"https:\/\/schoolguide.casel.org\/focus-area-3\/classroom\/a-supportive-classroom-environment\/community-building\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">relationship-centered learning experiences<\/a> for students like partner and group work, participation in clubs, or <a href=\"https:\/\/casel.org\/blog\/exploring-the-city-discovering-themselves\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">field trips<\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cultivate <a href=\"https:\/\/schoolguide.casel.org\/focus-area-3\/family-partnerships\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">authentic partnerships with families<\/a>. (In addition to home visits, MSA hosts weekly parent nights and invites families to participate in focus groups and advisory committees.)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>To learn more about fostering a supportive school climate, visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/schoolguide.casel.org\/focus-area-3\/school\/establish-schoolwide-norms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CASEL Guide to Schoolwide SEL<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Thank you to Magnolia Science Academy for welcoming us into your space and your openness to learning together about what SEL efforts contribute to your special school community.<\/em><\/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\/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\/starting-sel-from-the-ground-up\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">One District\u2019s Journey: Starting SEL From the Ground Up<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/casel.org\/blog\/sel-helped-me-find-purpose-drive-and-passion\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">SEL Helped Me Find Purpose, Drive, and Passion<\/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 Thanks to generous grant funding from the Stuart Foundation, CASEL hosted two convenings of SEL leaders in California to provide in-person networking, learning, and collaboration. This past May, Colleen Ferreira, Social-Emotional Learning Coordinator for the Orange County Department of Education, hosted one of these convenings for both district and regional [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":80024,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","theme":[199],"class_list":["post-80023","blogposts","type-blogposts","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","theme-spotlights"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blogposts\/80023","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=80023"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/80024"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=80023"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/casel.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/theme?post=80023"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}