The essential SEL

I am at a literacy conference in Illinois and I was at a session where some administrators were talking about their school.

There was a very smart girl that was great at sports and one of the top students academically.  She got into too many fights and was sent to a residential school at age 11.

There was a 12 year old girl who loved poetry and was amazing at painting with oils.  She developed an eating disorder and is now in a long term care facility.

There was a bot who loved music.  He studied music and musical equipment.  We was loved by all of his peers.  This 15 year old ran away and has not been seen for over two months.

There was a boy, 16, who loved telling jokes.  He finally got a part in a musical at the town's big production.  Week's before opening night, he hung himself.

This school district is NOT a poor district by any means, in fact it is affluent.  What was the district lacking? 

An educated staff on social emotional learning.

Early awareness training.

Student needs and wellness assessments.

A culture of students that looked out for each other and cared.

There was so much that could have been done, that is being done now.  Too late for the four students mentioned above.

I am so very lucky.  I teach in a building and district that makes sure that all of these pieces that were lacking in the above district are in place.  We are new to the SEL piece, but we are making strides to get there daily.

Be Aware!!!

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites