2019 SEL Exchange Program (Online Version)

Breakout Sessions S OCIAL & E MOTIONAL L EARNING EXCHANGE 2019 | 15 Day 1 - Thursday, October 3, 2019 Morning Session 10:10am - 11:20am Innovations in SEL Practice: Implementing SEL Kernels Across Different Contexts Session focus area: Practice Secondary focus area: Research Topic: Innovations in evidence-based practices Schools and non-formal education programs across the country and around the world are increasingly adopting SEL programming to foster students’ social and emotional development. Yet research indicates that traditional SEL programs can be difficult to implement and do not always meet students’ needs. As such, the Ecological Approaches to Social Emotional Learning (EASEL) Laboratory at Harvard University and partners are currently studying the implementation of SEL Kernels—a low-cost, low- burden alternative to comprehensive SEL programming that prioritizes adaptability and flexibility and provides educators with a more personalized approach to SEL. In this session, participants will learn insights from researchers and practitioners about their experiences designing SEL Kernels and piloting them in the U.S. and abroad across different contexts. Intervention or Aspiration? SEL Through a Racial Equity and Social Justice Lens Session focus area: Practice Secondary focus areas: Policy, Communication Topic: Advancing equity Join a former superintendent and current leader of an organization focused on unpacking the complexity of school systems change and connecting research to practice to learn how to frame, design, and implement SEL principles and practices districtwide. By taking the approach that SEL is the foundation of the kinds of school communities we aspire to for all of our students and adults, Josh Starr will build on both research and practice to enable participants to design their own action plans to spread SEL systemwide in their own contexts. Participants will leave with knowledge of relevant research and practical, immediately usable approaches to advancing racial equity and social justice through promoting SEL throughout their school system. Lessons From the Field: Increasing Racial Equity Through the Implementation of SEL Session focus area: Practice Secondary focus area: Research Topic: Advancing equity Drawing on the experiences of two large school districts in North Carolina and New York, this interactive session will discuss opportunities, challenges, and lessons learned from implementing whole-school SEL approaches to increase equity, reduce exclusionary disciplinary practices, and create a more positive school environment in high schools. A panel comprised of practitioners and researchers will lead a discussion with the audience focused on a set of central questions related to implementing restorative practices and complementary SEL interventions to improve equity. Topics include: staff mindset shift, system approach, quality, and defining equity- driven restorative practice and SEL. Location/Room Literature Speakers Josh Starr PDK International Location/Room George Pullman Speakers Cheryl Roberts RTI International Jackie Peterson Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Anne Gregory Rutgers University Nicole Lavonne Smith Sweet River Consulting Location/Room Water Tower A Speakers Stephanie Jones EASEL Lab Laura Stickle EASEL La b Joseph Aleardi Horizons at Greens Farms Academy Ana Luiza Colagrossi University of São Paulo