From the Chair: SEL Throughout the School

I am honored to be the 2021-2022 chair of the FSCA Board of Directors and I look forward to leading FSCA through the unique and challenging year that is ahead for all of us. With most students returning this fall to in-person learning, many of whom have been virtual for the past year or more, social/emotional learning (SEL) will be a critical piece of our school counseling programs. Being proactive will be key.

SEL can be implemented as a part of your core curriculum by teaching students coping skills, mindfulness, safety, interpersonal skills, self-awareness, etc. It can also be used at the Tier 2 and 3 levels. For example, years ago, as a school counselor, I would reward students the last couple minutes of group counseling with Lego Time. I had no idea, then, that this was actually a strategy to incorporate SEL at the Tier 2 level. By implementing this, I was helping students learn to work together, express their emotions and problem solve.

Teachers can assist with SEL through their curriculum and activities. School counselors can train teachers to implement morning meetings or circles. These can set the tone for SEL and can help to develop empathy, trust, and teamwork in the classroom.

We have all learned a great deal about technology in the past year and a half. School counselors can implement SEL on a daily or weekly basis through short taped messages/lessons that can be played on your morning news or virtually on your website. These could include information about the character trait of the month, a coping skill to try, or how to incorporate mindfulness into their day. You can build upon what your taped SEL message discussed when teaching classroom lessons.

Collaborating with your administrators now to solidify your school’s SEL framework and to set the climate for the 2021–2022 school year is imperative. Having a Plan B for implementation will also be needed because of the COVID-19 delta variant and the impact that may have on schools this year. While working on this plan, don’t forget about teachers’ and staff SEL needs, as well as your own! Self-care will be especially important for everyone this year.

If you are wanting more SEL ideas and information, make sure to attend the FSCA convention next month in Tampa, where we will offer several sessions on this topic. I look forward to meeting you at the convention!

Contact Cindy Topdemir, Ph.D., Florida School Counseling Association Governing Board chair, at topdemir@fla-schoolcounselor.org.