The Upside: COVID-19 Closure Shines Light on Social Emotional Learning
The closure of schools due to the novel corona virus (COVD-19) necessitated many changes in the shift to remote learning. But not all change is bad.
The crisis has kept professional development coordinators with the Western New York Regional Information Center (WNYRIC) busy supporting districts through this time. By offering a toolkit and remote professional development opportunities, coordinators have continued their support for teachers and districts after learning moved to homes.
The coordinators have seen renewed interest in Social Emotional Learning (SEL) that they hope will continue to be a priority going forward. Darlynda Miktuk’s Teacher Self-Care workshop was the best attended of any PD session in May. She noted, even when a workshop is not specifically focused on one of the five competencies, professional developers incorporate relevant SEL concepts into the activities.
“Even though teachers might be doing a session on iReady, there is still SEL in the lesson. They come to realize it is not one more thing, it is part of the process,” Miktuk said.
In the fall of 2019, the Erie 1 BOCES E-team prioritized social emotional learning for instructional and technology staff and completed training. They started sending weekly tips and tricks emails that have been popular in keeping recipients on track.
The staff has been offering webinars to take a deep dive into SEL with teachers and have gotten great feedback, repeat attendees and invitations to present at district training events.
“It’s about modeling for our team, that this is an entry way to deeper connections with teachers and modeling for teachers this is how you connect more deeply with students,” Nicole Kerner said. “We’re seeing teachers need to take the time to do things rooted in SEL and the kids need it too. We’re trying to help them find different ways, through the tech platform, to recreate a model that they are used to creating in schools. Despite the hardship of all of this, we are trying to facilitate a nurturing environment on a not so nurturing platform.”
Jessica Karches, supervisor of leadership, mentoring and professional development, said she has seen districts make SEL a priority and a part of planning for the 2020-21 school year and beyond. The professional development coordinators are planning accordingly for future PD sessions.
If you are interested in WNYRIC Online professional development offerings, follow the link in the banner of our website, www.wnyric.org. If you would like to request a training, contact: IRT/Content based - Jessica Karches at jkarches@e1b.org; technology based - Joe Roaldi at jroaldi@e1b.org; overarching inquiries/district-wide inquiries - Steve Graser at sgraser@e1b.org.