Connecting the CASEL Competencies

Example of experience:

Self awareness of my emotions has been a really important skill for me to develop since I have become an elementary school teacher. I am a constant model of identifying an managing my emotions to students that I have really needed to become aware of how my own emotions influense my reactions, thoughts, biases, and choices in the classroom. Through my classroom experiences I have been able to foster my teaching strengths; however the biggest challenge for me has been in recognizing my limitations. I often am working late into the night to prepare and take care of my classroom and the needs of my students. I started teaching when social distancing was more important than collaboration, and seeking out support for my 'stretches' in my teaching practice is a skill I continue to develop.

Self Awareness

Understanding one's own personal emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behaviour across various contexts

Connecting the Competencies

CASEL examples:

- Integrating personal and social identities (Relationship skills)

- Identifying personal, cultural, and linguistic skills

- Identifyiing one's own emotions (Self-management)

- Demonstrating honesty and integrity

- Linking feelings, values, and thoughts

- Examining prejudices and biases (Social Awareness)

- Having a growth mindset

- Devloping interests and a sense of purpose

- Recognizing one's strengths and limitations

Self Management

Managing one's emotions, thoughts and behavious effectively in various contexts and achieving personal goals and aspirations

Social Awareness

Connecting the CASEL 5

Understanding the perspectives of others and empathizing with them.

CASEL examples:

- Managing one's emotions (Self-awareness)

- Identifying and using stress mangement strategies

- Exhibiting self-discipline and self-motivation

- Setting personal and collective goals

- Using planning and organizational skills

- Showing courage to take initiative

- Demonstrating personal and collective agency

CASEL examples:

- Taking others' perspectives

- Recognizing strengths in others

- Demonstrating empathy and compassion

- Showing concern for the feelings of others

- Understanding and expressing gratitude

- Identifying diverse social norms, including unjust ones (Self-Awareness)

Social Emotional skills are something that all learners across all walks of life need to continuously develop. We need to invest time and energy in explicitly learning and teaching these skills for students to be able to understand their roles, their responsibilities, and contribute positively to the world around them.

Example of experience:

I'm not sure there are many places more stressful than a kindergarten classroom right before Christmas as you are trying to teach a second languge, assess their learning and write report cards for a very neuro-diverse group. Identifying and using stress management skills has been essential. In particular, I was recently away sick, and came back to a classroom that was chaotic to say the least. I used this opportunity to model to the students what a stressed and angry 'red zone' mood could be portrayed as, with a frustrated face, and descriptive words. I modelled strategies to keep my cool, like deep breaths, and asking for space/time. Beyond the classroom I was lucky to have supportive teacher peers to hear my horror stories, provide empathy, and encouraging words of support

Example of experience:

Taking on the perspective of others is something I share with students frequently, 'how do you think they felt when you did/said that?', however in the context of kindergarten it is simple to say, but equally important to remember for myself. Frequently I have students who are only 4 years old, and lack self-regulation skills, and it can be really frustrating to teach. I have to often think about where they are developmentally, and what life experiences they have everyday. Are they spending time only at school and home, or are they spending significant amounts of time at daycare, and extracurrculars that they have so little meaningful down time or family time? As well, I have to consider the family perspectives. This student is a massive part of their world and they are entrusting them to me. Culturally every family may have different expectations, experiences, and trepidations about the education system.

Building Relationships between humans and the environment

Self management builds relationships between humans and the environment as we look to take initiative to set personal and collective goals to reduce our foodprint on our natural environment and practice the self-discipline required to follow through with set goals.

Building Relationships between humans and the environment

With young students we are frequently expressing concern for the feellings of others, and that translates frequently to the natural environment. How do the trees feel when we pull their branches/leaves? We express gratitude for the amazing natural materials that we are lucky to have around our school, but we also take the perspective of the animals in the area and how they will need the materials to use for food and habitats, and we must leave the natural materials for them.

Responsible decision making

Relationship Skills

Making caring and constructive choices in regards to personal behaviour and social interactions across diverse situations; taking into consideration the benefits and consequences of actions for personal, social and collective well-being.

Establishing and maintaining healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse indiviuals and groups.

CASEL Examples:

- Demonstrating curiosity and open-mindedness

- Learning how to make reasoned judgement after considering the information and facts

- Identifying solutions for personal and social problems (relationship skills)

- Anticipating and evaluating consequences of one's actions/choices (Self-management)

- Recognizing the value of critical thinking inside and outside the classroom

- Reflecting on one's role in personal, family, and community well-being

CASEL examples:

- Communicating clearly and effectively

- Developing and maintaining positive relationships

- Developing cultural competency (social/self-awareness)

- Practicing teamwork and collborative problem solving

- Resolving conflicts constructively

- Resisting negative social pressures (responsible decision making)

- Demonstrating leadership in groups (self-management)

- Seeking/Offering support/help when needed

- Standing up for the rights of others (Social Awareness)

References

Sullivan, Emily Tate. “Why Social-Emotional Learning Is Suddenly in the Spotlight - Edsurge News.” EdSurge, EdSurge, 7 May 2019, www.edsurge.com/news/2019-05-07-why-social-emotional-learning-is-suddenly-in-the-spotlight.

“What Is the Casel Framework?” CASEL, Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), 3 Mar. 2023, casel.org/fundamentals-of-sel/what-is-the-casel-framework/#relationship.

Example of experience

This year I have had a tough time with a particular student who is neuro-diverse. There have been many decisions that have been made to make the student feel more at ease with being in the classroom, for me this had meant being open-minded to the idea of what learning goals really are for some students. In this case the expectation for the student is simply to be in the building. The majority of learning experiences for the student have all revolved around giving them the space they need, for the collective well-being of the class community. I have found some success in showing curiosity towards the student's interests and ideas as we work on building a supportive relationship.

Example of experience

Relationships are an essential part of a successful school year with students. With healthy positive relationships we are able to navigate many different issues constructively. In my classroom I work to have clear communication with the students about expectations, rules, and consequences from the beginnning. At 4 or 5 years old, it can be a challenge to transition into a big school and learn so many new things. The first month, at least, is dedicate to establishing positive relationships. This a big factor of why I enjoy the K classroom teaching experience; it allows the time and space to build the important SEL skills that will support the students throughout the year.

Building Relationships between humans and the environment:

This competency builds realationships between humans and the environment as we learn to evaluate data and make judgements, and anticipate/evaluate the consequences of our current choices on the natural environment around us, and work towards identifying solutions to the environmental issues that we are confronted with.