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

SEL: Why Students Need It. What Districts are Doing About It.

Education First produced this implementation-focused booklet aimed at policymakers, funders, and school/district staff. Featuring Anchorage, Sacramento, and Bridgeport, Connecticut.

TAGS SEL overview model SEL schools implementation plan evidence-based programs planning integrate with district priorities building buy-in for SEL

Developing Awareness of Instructional Practices that Promote SEL – School and District Leader Version

3 part tool to guide a school staff or district team to identify current instructional practices that support social and emotional development, and then learn about, prioritize, and plan to incorporate additional strategies.

TAGS SEL and Academic Integration english/language arts math social studies lesson planning teacher tool SEL competence teacher training instructional practices classroom level building buy-in for SEL

SEL Learning Walk Protocol – Anchorage

Anchorage's protocol for preparing and facilitating learning walks, well suited for districts that are organizing cross-campus visits to exemplary classrooms.

TAGS model SEL schools school visit/observation tool conducting local SEL research classroom level building buy-in for SEL

PBIS and SEL Slides

Brief powerpoint introduction to the similarities between PBIS and SEL, useful for schools that are committed to PBIS and beginning to explore more explit approaches to SEL.

TAGS PBIS evidence-based programs culture and climate

Districtwide SEL Needs and Resources Assessment

Before, during, or after completing the Districtwide SEL Implementation Rubric, use this template as note-taking space to examine existing needs and resources around SEL implementation.

TAGS needs and resources assessment implementation plan planning

Strengths and Needs Inventory: Vision, Priority, and SEL Alignment

This initial activity walks your team through a high-level inventory of your district’s social and emotional learning (SEL) strengths and needs. The goal is to obtain clarity about your district’s long-term vision, current district priorities and how SEL aligns with them.

SEL Data Reflection Protocol

This tool presents a structured reflection process for SEL teams and other district stakeholders to observe trends and discuss ideas for continuous improvement of SEL implementation. It emphasizes the importance of examining data with an equity lens and elevating a range of perspectives when interpreting data.

TAGS implementation support continuous improvement implementation monitoring implementation evaluation

Create an SEL Communication Strategy

From the CASEL Guide to Schoolwide SEL, school-based or district SEL teams can use this tool to plan communications so that all stakeholders are kept abreast of the work and how they can be involved.

TAGS communications community relations

Plan SEL Foundational Learning for your School District

This tool can help SEL leaders prepare a broad plan to provide learning experiences for all stakeholders in the school district community, and access resources to support foundational learning about SEL.

TAGS teacher training professional learning family and community engagement