Adult SEL and Cultural Competence

Successful districtwide SEL implementation is more effective when districts also cultivate adults’ SEL and cultural competencies.

50
  Documents

See how districts have strategized and planned to strengthen adult SEL and cultural competence

Title Document Type

DRC Documents

Districts in Action – Strengthen Adult SEL Competencies and Capacity

This brief spotlights three different approaches to adult SEL from SEL leaders in school districts in Olympia, Buffalo, and Des Moines. Visit https://casel.org/series/sel-fellows-briefs/ for more briefs from SEL Fellows.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS Adult SEL

2011 to 2021: 10 Years of SEL in U.S. School Districts

Ten years ago, CASEL began collaborating with school district SEL leaders to explore the question - Is it possible to implement SEL systemically to positively impact students across a large urban school district? Not only did districts demonstrate that it was possible, but every district has deepened and expanded SEL implementation since joining the collaborative. This anniversary report details 6 key insights from these districts about how they were able to sustain SEL over the long term, even as the people and contexts within the district changed.

SOURCE: CASEL

District SEL Best Practices: Adult Well-being and Equity

A district leader from Tulsa Public Schools describes the district's equity framework, their monthly school leader learning institutes focused on well-being, school-based wellness teams, and the ways in which the district's equity and wellness work are interrelated.

SOURCE: Tulsa Public Schools

TAGS mental health equity SEL leadership

SEL Trends: Strengthening Adult SEL

CASEL profiles Oakland USD, Sacramento City USD, and Tulsa Public Schools and shares key resources in this SEL Trends issue devoted to districts' focus on adult SEL needs.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS cultural competence Adult SEL

Boston Public Schools Essentials for Instructional Equity

Outlines 4 adult competencies for facilitating learning for diverse students, and includes an appendix of culturally and linguistically sustaining practices, a learning experience design template, and a parent guide.

SOURCE: Boston Public Schools

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias reading lists - staff equity culturally responsive college and career readiness instructional practices integrate with district priorities

SPARK Resources and Readings

Packet from a team reatreat in Sacramento; includes poems and readings to catalyze conversations about oppression and equity and a timeline of education in the U.S. demonstrating roots of inequity.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias reading lists - staff equity teacher training

Find ready-to-use tools

Title Document Type

DRC Documents

Reflecting on Equity-Centered SEL Leadership Practices

Use this tool as a personal reflection on your leadership habits. These prompts are intended to spark your curiosity about your current practices and how you can be intentional about developing equity-centered leadership skills.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS equity SEL leadership

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An Introduction to SEL online course

CASEL's free, one-hour, virtual learning experience includes reflection prompts, videos, and application activities to introduce SEL to staff members, caregivers, community partners, or anyone interested in SEL.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS Adult SEL teacher training communications professional learning

Guiding Questions for Educators: Promoting Equity Using SEL in your School

When social and emotional learning (SEL) is implemented with a culturally responsive lens, educators can use SEL to cultivate equitable learning opportunities, responsive relationships, and inclusive practices. This resources features reflection questions for school-level educators to explore the CASEL core competencies through an equity lens.

See also: Guiding Questions for Educators: Promote Equity Using SEL in your District

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS cultural competence Adult SEL equity culturally responsive

SEL for Educators Toolkit

A presentation template, companion guide, mini-modules, summary, and reference list for use in PLCs, staff meetings, professional learning, or individual reflection. Contains suggested activities and practices to support educators in their well-being, emotional state, and stress while supporting students.

SOURCE: Transforming Education

TAGS Adult SEL toolkit professional learning

Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain discussion guide

This discussion facilitator's guide, ideal for use with a small book study group, provides opening activities, discussion questions, and bridge activities for each chapter of Zaretta Hammond's book Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain. Through reflection, collaboration, and continuous improvement strategies, this guide provides an opportunity for staff to interrogate their own instructional practice to find ways to be responsive to students' culture and identities.

TAGS cultural competence reading lists - staff equity culturally responsive professional learning

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Culturally Responsive Instruction Observation Protocol

The CRIOP is a framework and evaluation tool that operationalizes culturally responsive instruction, helping teachers work effectively with diverse middle grades learners and their families.

SOURCE: University/Nonprofit Research Institution

TAGS cultural competence teacher evaluation culturally responsive teacher training

Micro SEL 3 Signature Practices – For Everyone, Every Day

One-pager handout describing how to apply the principles of the 3 signature practices in brief ways to create positive and productive relationships throughout the day with everyone you
encounter.

SOURCE: CASEL

Self-Assessing Social and Emotional Instruction and Competencies: A Tool for Teachers

A tool for teachers to assess how they using SEL in their interactions and teaching practices, and a crosswalk between 10 teaching practices that promote SEL and the CLASS, Danielson, and Marzano teaching frameworks.

TAGS Adult SEL mindfulness lesson planning teacher tool social awareness self awareness self management relationship skills responsible decision making SEL competence teacher training continuous improvement PK-12 instructional practices classroom level building community student discipline

Personal SEL Reflection

Principals, administrators, SEL team members, staff members, and other adults can use this tool to assess personal strengths, think about how to model those strengths when interacting with others, and plan strategies to promote growth across areas of social competence.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS Adult SEL paraprofessionals security staff staff onboarding teacher tool SEL competence teacher training professional learning district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership

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Chicago Public Schools Restorative Practices Guide and Toolkit

A comprehensive mini-book that includes activities, lesson plans, and printable templates and tools to implement restorative practices, intended to be used along with other coaching and training.

SOURCE: Chicago Public Schools

TAGS alternatives to suspension toolkit restorative practices student discipline

Guiding Questions for Educators: Promote Equity Using SEL in your District

When social and emotional learning (SEL) is implemented with a culturally responsive lens, educators can use SEL to cultivate equitable learning opportunities, responsive relationships, and inclusive practices. This resources features reflection questions for district-level educators to explore the CASEL core competencies through an equity lens.

See also: Guiding Questions for Educators: Promote Equity Using SEL in your School

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS cultural competence Adult SEL equity culturally responsive

Recommended Readings for Staff

Recommended Readings for staff development. Topics include Introducing the Importance of SEL, SEL and Equity, SEL and Academic Integration, Restorative Practices, Adult SEL, and Partnering with Families for SEL.
(Within each topic, readings are listed in order of length)

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS reading lists - staff district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL

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Self-Assessment Checklist – Cultural Competence

This checklist provides examples of the kinds of values and practices that foster an environment that is aware and respectful of cultural diversity, from Georgetown University's National Center for Cultural Competence.

SOURCE: National Association of School Psychologists

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias equity culturally responsive community relations building community

Social and Emotional Learning in the Daily Life of Classrooms

Facilitator guide and materials for a 6 hour session aimed at state and district leaders, outlining ways to integrate an SEL emphasis into policy and planning, draw connections between SEL and instructional priorities, and support school leaders to guide teachers to reflect on their own teaching practices and SEL competencies.

SOURCE: AIR

TAGS Adult SEL CCSS professional learning integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise

ADL’s Anti-Bias Resources for Educators, Parents, and Families

The Anti-Defamation League's toolkit includes anti-bias strategies for educators, book recommendations, lesson plans, bullying prevention advice, discussion guides and webinars.

SOURCE: External website

TAGS parenting cultural competence Adult SEL bullying prevention anti-bias reading lists - parents toolkit culturally responsive

SEL 3 Signature Practices introductory video – Adult SEL

Video describing the SEL 3 signature practices (welcoming inclusion activity, engaging practices, and optimistic closure) and how to use them in settings with adults, such as a meeting or professional learning.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS PLC mindfulness three signature practices videos self awareness SEL coaching for staff building community professional learning district SEL expertise

Modeling SEL as a Staff

This tool from CASEL's Guide to Schoolwide SEL provides an activity and examples to engage staff in reflection about how they will intentionally model SEL in their interactions with students as part of schoolwide implementation.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS Adult SEL paraprofessionals security staff teacher tool social awareness self awareness self management relationship skills responsible decision making reading lists - staff SEL competence counselors building community SEL leadership

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See artifacts shared by districts and schools

Title Document Type

DRC Documents

Districts in Action – Strengthen Adult SEL Competencies and Capacity

This brief spotlights three different approaches to adult SEL from SEL leaders in school districts in Olympia, Buffalo, and Des Moines. Visit https://casel.org/series/sel-fellows-briefs/ for more briefs from SEL Fellows.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS Adult SEL

The Art of SEL Cards: Reflections with an Equity Lens

The SEL Team in Sacramento City USD created a set of cards, bound with a key ring, to help adults reflect on their mindsets, practices, and ways that they're integrating SEL and equity into academics.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

TAGS Adult SEL anti-bias teacher tool equity

Chicago Public Schools Restorative Practices Guide and Toolkit

A comprehensive mini-book that includes activities, lesson plans, and printable templates and tools to implement restorative practices, intended to be used along with other coaching and training.

SOURCE: Chicago Public Schools

TAGS alternatives to suspension toolkit restorative practices student discipline

Adult SEL Posters

Minneapolis Public Schools developed a set of posters describing how adults exercise social and emotional skills in 5 core areas.

SOURCE: Minneapolis Public Schools

TAGS Adult SEL SEL competence teacher training

Lifting Our Voices – Sacramento City (video)

Video featuring high school students telling their stories -- their stressors, ways they know their teachers care, and aspirations for the future. Ends with a challenge to viewers to cultivate spaces where students' stories can be heard.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

TAGS anti-bias videos teacher training advisory/homeroom middle school grades high school grades building community youth voice

Teacher Interview: How Do SEL Skills Come Into Play for You as an Adult? (video)

Interview with a teacher in Anchorage reflecting on her own social and emotional development and how she models for her students.

SOURCE: Anchorage Public Schools

TAGS Adult SEL videos teacher tool self awareness model SEL schools elementary school grades classroom level

Boston Public Schools Essentials for Instructional Equity

Outlines 4 adult competencies for facilitating learning for diverse students, and includes an appendix of culturally and linguistically sustaining practices, a learning experience design template, and a parent guide.

SOURCE: Boston Public Schools

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias reading lists - staff equity culturally responsive college and career readiness instructional practices integrate with district priorities

SPARK Approach to Positive School Climate

Guide and toolkit for Sacramento's comprehensive school climate model which intertwines principles of restorative disciplinary practices, social and emotional learning, and PBIS. Includes details on school teaming and training.

SOURCE: Sacramento City Unified School District

TAGS PBIS alternatives to suspension anti-bias board policies relationship skills SEL coaching for staff equity teacher training implementation plan restorative practices culture and climate building community student discipline integrate with district priorities youth voice

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Find resources to help you learn more on this topic

Title Document Type

DRC Documents

Advancing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) as a Lever for Equity and Excellence

This report summarizes five emerging insights based on the efforts of school districts in CASEL’s Equity Work Group (EWG).

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS equity implementation plan planning

Culturally Responsive Instruction Observation Protocol

The CRIOP is a framework and evaluation tool that operationalizes culturally responsive instruction, helping teachers work effectively with diverse middle grades learners and their families.

SOURCE: University/Nonprofit Research Institution

TAGS cultural competence teacher evaluation culturally responsive teacher training

Webinar: Adult SEL and Cultural Competence

Dr. Marisha Humphries, Associate Professor in the department of Educational Psychology at the University of Illinois at Chicago, joined CASEL partners for a webinar to discuss the importance of social and emotional competence for educators, ways to support adults in strengthening SEL skills, and strategies to become more self aware and reflective about our own social identity, culturally informed emotional expression, and social behaviors and how they impact our relationships and our work in education. See the webinar recording and transcript at http://bit.ly/CASELwebinar21820

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS cultural competence Adult SEL anti-bias equity culturally responsive

Equity & Social and Emotional Learning: A Cultural Analysis

Brief outlining how CASEL's core SEL competencies reflect issues of equity, programs and practices that promote educational equity, and implications for SEL assessment.

SOURCE: Assessment Work Group

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias social awareness self awareness self management relationship skills responsible decision making equity culturally responsive building community

Toward Transformative Social and Emotional Learning: Using an Equity Lens

This brief explores the need to conceptualize, implement, and assess SEL in a way that is sensitive to students' cultural assets and recognizes their inherent strengths, and describes promising school practices and implications for ethical assessment of SEL.

SOURCE: Assessment Work Group

TAGS Adult SEL anti-bias social awareness self awareness self management relationship skills responsible decision making SEL competence equity culturally responsive instructional practices building community

Applying an Equity Lens to Social, Emotional, and Academic Development

This issue brief describes 5 major barriers to equitable access to social emotional learning and positive life outcomes, and corresponding opportunities for districts to to dismantle those barriers by approaching SEL in ways that are grounded in equity and justice.

SOURCE: University/Nonprofit Research Institution

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias trauma board policies SEL competence research brief equity student discipline

Why We Can’t Have Social and Emotional Learning without Equity

Blog post from Dr. Robert Jagers discussing the "equity elaborations" to current SEL frameworks and the aims of CASEL's Equity Work Group.

SOURCE: Magazine/Newsletter

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias SEL competence equity culturally responsive

Pursuing Social and Emotional Development Through a Racial Equity Lens: 5 Strategies for System Leaders to Take Action

The Aspen Education & Society Program's recommended strategies for pursuing social, emotional, and academic development through a racial equity lens.

SOURCE: The Aspen Institute

TAGS cultural competence school board anti-bias board policies equity integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise SEL leadership family and community engagement youth voice

Webinar: Leveraging SEL to Promote Equity

Webinar highlighting district challenges and promising practices, featuring Dr. Rob Jagers' review of research on SEL's connection to equitable outcomes for diverse student populations.

SOURCE: CASEL

TAGS cultural competence Adult SEL anti-bias research brief equity culturally responsive

Teacher Stress and Health

This issue brief examines sources and effects of teacher stress and highlights programs, practices and policies to reduce stress and improve teacher well-being and performance.

SOURCE: University/Nonprofit Research Institution

TAGS Adult SEL mindfulness staff onboarding culture and climate

Training Educators to Understand the Needs of English Learners PreK-12

White paper about educator training in English to Speakers of Other Languages, Touches on building on students' cultural background and experiences and the impact of teacher biases toward students learning English.

SOURCE: ESOL in Higher Ed

TAGS anti-bias research brief english language learners culturally responsive teacher training PK-12

English for Speakers of Other Languages – Culture and Cultural Proficiency

Audio vignettes, pre-made presentations, videos, tools, and useful links for teachers of English Learners regarding characteristics of culture, learning styles, collectivism, and ways teachers can embrace diversity in their teaching style and interactions.

SOURCE: ESOL in Higher Ed

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias english language learners equity culturally responsive building community

Resources for Identity Safe Classrooms

Resource library accompaniment to the book Identity Safe Classrooms, including resources on stereotype threat and identity safety, relationships, cultivating diversity as a resource, child-centered teaching, and caring environments.

SOURCE: External website

TAGS anti-bias toolkit relationship skills reading lists - staff equity culturally responsive culture and climate building community

Fulfilling the Unkept Promise of Educational Opportunities for California’s Long Term English Learners

Executive summary of a report on California's long-term English Language Learners and recommendations for better supporting students at the secondary level who have not reached English proficiency.

SOURCE: External website

TAGS anti-bias board policies research brief english language learners culturally responsive

What English Language Learners Wish Teachers Knew

Edweek article lays bare the culture among educators of ignoring, holding low expectations, and harboring biases towards English Language Learners, with recommendations for improving.

SOURCE: Education Week

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias reading lists - staff english language learners culturally responsive

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