Nurturing a Whole-Community Approach to Social and Emotional Learning Hosted by St. John’s School in Houston, Texas April 22-23, 2020, 9:00am – 3:30pm This creative and experiential two-day workshop offers educators, administrators, counselors and advisors the opportunity to learn how to build classroom practices and school-wide systems that nurture the social and emotional health of all members of the community. Schools that intentionally activate SEL across the community in this way see wide-ranging benefits for emotional and mental health, a growth in the sense of belonging and community, and positive shifts in mindset, engagement and learning. Workshop Goals Explore the ‘what, why and how’ of IFSEL’s Whole-Community Framework for SEL Provide insights into effective practices and structures for implementing SEL in lower schools and through middle and high school advisory/mentoring programs Experience age-differentiated activities that will deepen and promote inter- and intra-personal development K-12 Explore practices that activate SEL throughout the curriculum, in content areas, and throughout school-wide systems Provide opportunities for professional and professional renewal and reflection Who should attend? K-12 Educators Administrators Counselors Deans Advisors Advisory Coordinators Wellness Teachers What’s included? IFSEL will provide beautiful surroundings and healthy nourishment in the form of light breakfast, lunch and snacks. A binder of resources, materials and lessons Connection with other educators A hearty and healthy breakfast and lunch with plenty of snacks Example Schedule Day One Breakfast, Welcome, and Opening Experiences It’s Fundamental An interactive session providing an introduction to the “What, Why and How” of SEL in K-12 Schools. We will also outline IFSEL’s Whole Community Framework and share guiding principles for instruction, teacher responses, and curricular design. Lunch Toolbox for the Elementary Grades (K – 5th Grade) This workshop introduces the foundational SEL tools for students. The core IFSEL sequence of lessons is presented to meet the developmental needs of elementary-aged children. The SEL “toolbox” also provides language and skills to address common classroom and group issues. You will experience activities that explore the capacity and motivation of children to apply social and emotional learning to their daily lives. OR Building a Thriving Advisory/Mentoring Program: Foundations, Principles and Practices (5th – 12th Grade) This session is designed for educators working in settlings that either do not have an established advisory program or where the existing program is not achieving its goals. We know that students are eager for adults to hold a purposeful, playful space that engages connection and brings respite within the challenges of the school day. SEL brings a wide and creative lens to view Advisory or homeroom meeting times. The session explores, in depth, design ideas for Advisory (goals, role of the Advisor, timing and grouping). It also offers a small number of experiences and rituals that engage meaningful conversations, personal reflection, and positive group interactions among students. This session is also relevant for non-advisors or schools that do not have an advisory program. Day Two Breakfast & Welcome Introduction to Check In Explore a range of creative and innovative ways to offer students the opportunity to check-in with their emotional state. Creative Approaches to Developing Emotional Intelligence (K – 8th Grade) This session offers an experiential opportunity to delve deeply into the foundational SEL tools. Teachers will discuss, write, and reflect on SEL process questions. They will experience how to use the role of the observer as a key element of feedback to the group. They will explore the different ways that silence, creative expression, listening, and cooperation open up students to greater social and emotional learning. We will also provide a framework for reflection and building resiliency before students experience school trips or other forms of group transition. OR Catalyzed by SEL (5th – 12th Grade) Innovative approaches to activating SEL through subject content can support depth of insight and empowered learning for students. This session provides a facilitated exploration of opportunities for social and emotional learning in different discipline areas – centering on the SEL tool kit. You will hear about creative lesson ideas for embedding SEL into subject content and also work with fellow participants to create new SEL opportunities in the lessons and units you already teach. Lunch School-Wide SEL Design (K – 12) What organizing principles, practices, and school-wide systems are vital to consider as we build caring relationships that resonate in our schools, and increase wellbeing for every community member? In this session we will intentionally address underdeveloped, even neglected aspects of our school’s systems and support structures. The focus for successful design will include creative ways to map, record, and organize SEL curricula so it “lives” within the community; include learning opportunities outside the classroom such as trip preparation, recess, bus ride agreements; and space for teacher personal growth. Nurturing the Teacher’s SELf (K – 12) This culminating workshop opens the space for educators to explore their own emotional health and how the role of educator can pull them into and out of alignment with their most empowered teacher SELf. We will provide space for reflection and the opportunity to set intentions and goals based on learning from the workshop. The session also offers a range of tools for emotional self-care and wellbeing. Reflection, Appreciations and Closing Location Information Our two-day workshop will be hosted by St. John’s School in Houston, Texas. Please see our St. John’s Transportation and Accommodation Guide for more information. Pricing EARLY BIRD PRICE through January 31, 2020 – $1100 FULL PRICE after January 31, 2020 – $1250 SPECIAL OFFER: Send 3 teachers for the price of 2! Applies to both Early Bird and Full prices and in multiples of 3 registrations per offer. Please email admin@instituteforsel.net to receive this offer. Payment If you are paying by credit card, please have it ready as you proceed through registration. If you are paying by check, please complete your registration online, select ‘Check’ on the payment page, and mail your checks to: Institute for SEL325 Sharon Park Drive, Suite 845Menlo Park, CA 94025-6805 Please clearly mark the participant name(s) associated with your check. Cancellation & Refund Policy One of IFSEL’s core values is to support schools and educators seeking professional development. We understand that plans may change, and respectfully request that if you cannot attend a workshop, please try to find a substitute from your school to take your place. If you inform us of your need to cancel up to 4 weeks before the workshop date, we will return your fee, minus a $50-per-workshop, per-person processing fee. Cancellation with less than 4 weeks notice is non-refundable, but can be transferred to another person. IFSEL reserves the right to cancel any program at any time. In that circumstance, a full refund will be made. To begin the cancellation process, please email us at admin@instituteforsel.net. CEU Information Participants in IFSEL Events are eligible for CEU Credits from Dominican University. Participants completing a two-day workshop are eligible for 1.0 Credits. If you are interested in applying, please let us know during the workshop. The application will then be sent to you after the Institute for you to submit to Dominican University, which administers the process. Please note that Dominican University charges a fee of $55 per CEU unit. At this time, IFSEL is not able to provide credits for clinical counseling. Confirmation We will email you a confirmation upon receipt of full payment. Please note that your participation will not be confirmed until we receive your full payment, either by credit card or by check. We look forward to seeing you on April 22-23, 2020 on St. John’s campus in Houston! If you have any questions, please email us at admin@instituteforsel.net. With gratitude, The IFSEL Team