Social-Emotional Learning
Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Highline’s SEL instruction is aligned with state Social-Emotional Learning Standards.
Research shows that when students have supportive relationships and opportunities to develop and practice social skills, academic learning accelerates and student behaviors improve.
Our schools support students in developing life skills related to five core areas:
- Self-awareness
- Social awareness
- Relationship-building skills
- Self-management
- Responsible decision-making.
Families as Social-Emotional Learning Experts
Families are students' first and lifelong teachers. Families and communities have been developing and fostering social-emotional skills in children for generations.
Research in the learning sciences has solidly validated the deep impacts of these skills and practices on learning. We integrate social-emotional learning in classrooms in partnership with our families.
Here is one way we have sought input from families about our social-emotional learning practices
We welcome your input, wisdom, and perspectives to help us co-construct our social-emotional learning (SEL) supports. Please connect with us via email.
A Comprehensive Approach
We use complementary strategies and structures to support social-emotional learning in Highline, including:
- PBIS: A school-wide approach to creating and sustaining positive teaching and learning environments
- RULER: An approach to teaching the skills of emotional intelligence:
- Restorative Practices: A process that encourages accountability, healing and repair when conflict arises.
Learn More:
- SEL Competencies: Washington State OSPI, 2016. SELB Draft Benchmarks
- What is SEL - Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning
- What Does Evidence-Based Instruction in Social and Emotional Learning Actually Look Like in Practice? - Dusenbury, Calin, Domitrovich, & Weissberg, 2015
- Video: 5 Keys to Social and Emotional Learning Success
Contact
Phone: 206-631-3269
Melissa Pointer
Director of Social-Emotional Learning
Erika Hubbard
Social-Emotional Learning Specialist
Tracy Werthman
Social-Emotional Learning Specialist
We invite you to share with us so we can learning from your histories, knowledge and experiences. We are at our best when we are learning together in community. We look forward to partnership with you to improve what we are doing at school. Please reach out to us directly via email.