SPARK Retreat Agenda

Agenda for team retreat focused on implicit bias, stereotype threat, and building more equitable learning environments.

TAGS cultural competence anti-bias equity teacher training professional learning

What does SEL look like in elementary, middle, and high school?

This curated list of articles and videos illustrate what SEL looks like in elementary, middle, and high school settings. Explore these links to deepen your knowledge and find grade-differentiated resources for professional learning and planning.

TAGS middle school grades high school grades elementary school grades

Creating Shared Agreements

This tool from CASEL's Guide to Schoolwide SEL outlines a 6 step process for a school or district team to develop shared agreements about how they will work together to achieve a shared vision and nurture adult SEL.

TAGS Adult SEL mindfulness teacher tool teacher training advisory/homeroom building community professional learning SEL leadership

The Neuroscience of SEL (Video)

20 minute lecture by Richard Davidson on the neuroscience of emotions and emotional response, and how SEL trains and changes the brain. Best for educating SEL leaders or building buy in with audiences looking for a scientific basis for SEL.

TAGS Adult SEL mental health videos research brief teacher training evidence-based programs professional learning district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL

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

Central Office Expertise Development Plan

You can use or adapt this template as a starting point for planning how to develop central office expertise by audience.

TAGS professional learning integrate with district priorities district SEL expertise building buy-in for SEL

Retreat to Improve District Support of SEL Practice – Agenda and Challenge Areas

Cleveland hosted a retreat with support from AIR, CASEL, PATHS, and their teachers' union to address challenge areas and improve how SEL is integrated into district priorities.

TAGS implementation support SEL partnerships professional learning integrate with district priorities 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

Readiness Considerations for Schoolwide SEL

This reflection tool outlines readiness considerations that could benefit a school community embarking on the process of building a schoolwide SEL effort, and can be useful to district leaders preparing to guide a cohort of schools with SEL implementation. Many of these readiness factors can be reinforced over time and/or built while the school community works towards systemic SEL.

TAGS implementation support model SEL schools professional learning

Team Retreats: Centering SEL as You Plan, Facilitate, and Debrief

Use this tool as you plan a half-day to multi-day retreat for your team, to integrate SEL into the way you design the agenda, share opportunities for leadership among team members, facilitate activities, and set up discussions for the team to make meaning of what they have learned and accomplished.

TAGS professional learning district SEL expertise SEL leadership