District SEL Best Practices: Cultivating Shared Leadership for Schoolwide SEL

A district SEL leader from Austin, TX describes their leadership structure and approach to supporting SEL implementation through district SEL specialists who provide coaching and training for cohorts of school-based SEL leaders who in turn work with an SEL steering committee that is representative of the broader school community. This model has been shown to significantly improve implementation.

TAGS implementation support SEL coaching for staff implementation plan

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.

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

Group Reflection Protocol for SEL: Discussing the Core Competencies and Where They Are Promoted

This reflection protocol can help you facilitate a discussion on the updated SEL framework in small or large groups. The prompts allow you to think about what CASEL’s updated SEL framework means for implementation efforts in your school, district, or other setting.

TAGS SEL overview professional learning building buy-in for SEL

Develop Annual Goals and Action Plan for SEL

This tool is designed to help district SEL teams develop goals and an action plan for a single year of districtwide SEL implementation. It builds on a district's shared vision, long-term SEL goals, and SEL implementation roadmap.

TAGS define SEL metrics implementation plan continuous improvement planning

Sample Schoolwide SEL 101 Presentation

This presentation can be adapted and used to introduce SEL to staff, families, and community partners. It gives an overview of what is SEL, why it’s important, and the process for schoolwide SEL. Talking points and activity instructions are provided in the notes section.

TAGS three signature practices staff onboarding SEL overview classroom level culture and climate professional learning district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership

District SEL Best Practices: Support Belonging and Explicit SEL Instruction

A district SEL leader from Palm Beach County, FL describes the resource guide they provide to all schools which includes weekly SEL themes to build common language across settings, activities to build community aligned with each theme, and age-differentiated activities for explicitly teaching the week's SEL skill. Schools that have committed to full SEL implementation use an evidence-based program during dedicated SEL time, and all schools are provided with a 5 minute discussion-based lesson.

TAGS distance learning implementation support teacher tool

SEL Coaching Coordinator Support Roles

T chart describing what El Paso's SEL coaches do and don't do as they support schools with SEL implementation.

TAGS job descriptions implementation support SEL coaching for staff human and financial resource alignment

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.

TAGS Adult SEL toolkit professional learning

SEL Talking Points for Superintendents

This set of key messages is intended to support the superintendent and other district leaders in regularly communicating about the importance of SEL both formally and informally.

TAGS communications district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL SEL leadership

Districtwide SEL Implementation Rubric – Focus Area 3 Promote SEL for Students