Welcome to the Modern Classrooms Project Podcast. Each week we bring you discussions with educators on how they use blended, self-paced, and mastery-based learning to better serve their learners. In this episode, Monte Woodard is joined by high school special education teacher Maddie Richer to discuss the critical importance of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in today's educational landscape.

Maddie, a passionate advocate for SEL, shares her journey in implementing social-emotional learning practices in her classroom.

Here are the key takeaways from this podcast:

• Social-Emotional Learning - What it is and isn’t: Social-emotional learning, or SEL, as defined by Maddie, involves explicit teaching and practicing of social skills and emotional intelligence. It is crucial for helping students navigate complex emotions, build relationships, and manage stress effectively. Maddie emphasized that prioritizing SEL is a prerequisite for academic success.

• Restorative Justice and SEL: Maddie highlighted the connection between restorative justice and SEL. Restorative justice principles, such as repairing harm and fostering community, complement SEL practices. They emphasize building a strong foundation of trust and community, making it easier to address conflicts and emotions effectively. Maddie reminded us, "We know that we don't perform our best work when we're feeling overwhelmed or having a mental health crisis."

• Treating Students as Human Beings: Monte and Maddie stressed the importance of treating students as human beings. Acknowledging their physical and emotional needs, understanding that they are not perfect, and giving them respect, responsibility, and the ability to self-advocate are essential elements of effective SEL implementation. Monte shared a powerful insight, "If we don't have the expectation for ourselves, we shouldn't necessarily have it for kids."

Overall, Maddie's journey and insights underscored the transformative potential of SEL, emphasizing its positive impact on students' emotional well-being, academic success, and development as responsible individuals.

Discussion questions for PLC and PD: 

• How can educators integrate Social Emotional Learning (SEL) practices into their classrooms to create a more supportive and emotionally aware learning environment? What specific strategies have you found effective in promoting SEL among your students?

• The summary highlights the connection between restorative justice principles and SEL. How can restorative justice practices help build a strong foundation for SEL in the classroom, and what challenges might educators face when implementing both approaches simultaneously?

• Maddie emphasized the importance of treating students as human beings with physical and emotional needs. How can educators strike a balance between academic expectations and supporting students' social and emotional development? What steps can be taken to create a classroom culture that values SEL alongside academic achievement?

Our Host

Monte Woodard is a 6th and 8th-grade teacher at the Field School in Washington, DC, and Modern Classrooms Expert Mentor. She's taught in Georgia, Florida, and DC and has taught every branch of science in 6th-8th grade. In her free time, Monte loves reading, crocheting, and playing video games. 

Our Guest: Maddie Richer

• Connect with Maddie via Instagram

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