Teacher SEL: Programs, Possibilities, and Contexts from Coursera

Social and emotional learning, or SEL, student programs have flourished in schools during the last decade. Unfortunately inadequate attention has been paid to teachers’ social and emotional learning.

In this course the instructors (Randy Testa and Dan Liston) introduce and examine distinct and established teacher SEL programs, as well as some alternative possibilities.

This course is a part of the 5-course Specialization “The Teacher and Social Emotional Learning (SEL)”. Interested in earning 3 university credits from the University of Colorado-Boulder for this specialization? If so check out "How you can earn 3 university credits from the University of Colorado-Boulder for this specialization" reading in the first module of this course for additional information.

We want to note that the courses in this Specialization were designed with a three-credit university course load in mind. As a participant you may notice a bit more reading content and a little less video/lecture content. Completing and passing the SEL Specialization allows the participant to apply for 3 graduate credits toward teacher re-certification and professional enhancement. We want to ensure the quality and high standards of a University of Colorado learning experience.

Interested in earning 3 graduate credits from the University of Colorado-Boulder for The Teacher and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialization? Check out "How you can earn 3 university credits from the University of Colorado-Boulder for this specialization" reading in the first week of this course for more information.

What's inside

Syllabus

Mindfulness in teaching

Since stress and anxiety accompany many teachers’ work settings and arise from a variety of sources, we look for ways to reduce that stress. Mindfulness programs provide one source of relief for work related stress and, for some, an avenue for self and other exploration. Here we describe some aspects of those programs and encourage those so inclined to seek out such experiences.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Dan Liston and Randy Testa, who are recognized for their work in SEL

Explores mindfulness in teaching, which is a popular stress reliever for teachers

Examines the Center for Courage and Renewal's programs for teacher and community well-being, which could provide practical tools for improving workplace relationships

Uses narrative and the humanities to help teachers explore their humanity in teaching and develop a deeper understanding of their students

Covers the importance of understanding students' personal lives and how they affect their academic performance

Reviews summary

Teacher sel programs and contexts insights

According to learners, this course offers valuable insights into teacher social and emotional learning programs and the broader context involving parents and communities. Many appreciate the focus on teacher well-being and specific program examples like mindfulness and the Courage & Renewal Center, finding the readings high-quality and relevant for understanding foundational concepts. However, some students note the heavy emphasis on reading over video content, which aligns with the course design for potential university credit, and a few feel certain topics could benefit from more practical classroom strategies or greater depth. Overall, it is seen as a solid contribution to understanding teacher SEL.

Highlights the importance of family and community contexts.

"The module on parents, families, and communities was insightful."

"Understanding the broader context of students' lives is crucial, and this course covered it well."

"The readings on connecting with families added important depth."

Introduces distinct and established SEL teacher programs.

"Learning about the Center for Courage and Renewal was very helpful."

"The course gave a good introduction to several different SEL approaches for teachers."

"I liked seeing examples of existing programs I could look into further."

Provides valuable insights for teacher self-care and SEL.

"I really appreciated the sections focused on mindfulness and personal well-being as a teacher."

"This course gave me specific ideas on how to better manage my own stress."

"The emphasis on teacher SEL was timely and much needed."

"It helped me understand the importance of tending to my own emotional state as an educator."

Some reviewers desired more hands-on strategies for the classroom.

"While the theory was good, I wished for more concrete, ready-to-use strategies."

"I found it more theoretical than practical for immediate classroom implementation."

"Could use more examples of *how* to apply these concepts daily."

Significant amount of reading material compared to video lectures.

"There was a lot of reading assigned, which was more than expected."

"As a busy professional, the sheer volume of reading was challenging to get through."

"I would have preferred more video content to break up the readings."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Teacher SEL: Programs, Possibilities, and Contexts with these activities:

Identify and Connect with a Mentor in Social and Emotional Learning

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Seek guidance and support from an experienced professional in the field of social and emotional learning.

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Identify potential mentors through networking, conferences, or online platforms.
Reach out to potential mentors and express your interest in connecting.
Schedule a meeting to discuss your goals and expectations.
Establish a regular meeting schedule and communication plan.
Actively engage in the mentoring relationship and seek feedback.

Develop a Mindfulness Practice Plan

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Establish a personalized mindfulness practice to reduce work-related stress and enhance self-awareness.

Browse courses on Mindfulness

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Research different mindfulness techniques (e.g., meditation, yoga, breathing exercises).
Choose a few techniques that resonate with you.
Create a schedule for your practice and stick to it.
Keep a journal to track your progress and reflect on your experiences.
Connect with a mindfulness community or support group.

Engage in Daily Mindfulness Exercises

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Incorporate regular mindfulness exercises into your daily routine to cultivate awareness and reduce stress.

Browse courses on Mindfulness

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Practice mindful breathing exercises for a few minutes each day.
Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Engage in body scans to become aware of physical sensations.

Five other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all eight activities

Read "Why Read?" by Mark Edmundson

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Expand your understanding of the role of humanities in education, particularly in teacher education and professional development.

View The Heart of the Humanities on Amazon

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Purchase or borrow the book.
Set aside dedicated reading time.
Take notes or highlight important passages.
Reflect on the author's arguments and insights in relation to your own teaching practice.

Attend a Center for Courage and Renewal Workshop

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Participate in workshops designed to foster trust, communication, and well-being within the school community.

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Research the Center for Courage and Renewal.
Identify a relevant workshop and register.
Attend the workshop and engage fully in the activities.
Reflect on your experiences and apply learnings to your teaching practice.

Develop a Social and Emotional Learning Resource Guide for Students

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Create a comprehensive resource guide that provides students with strategies, tools, and support for enhancing their social and emotional well-being.

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Research existing SEL resources and identify gaps.
Gather input from students, teachers, and experts.
Develop and organize content that covers key SEL topics.
Design the resource guide to be accessible and user-friendly.
Distribute the resource guide to students and promote its use.

Facilitate a Peer Support Group

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Collaborate with colleagues to create a safe and supportive environment for sharing experiences and providing mutual support.

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Gather a group of interested colleagues.
Establish ground rules and expectations for the group.
Facilitate discussions and activities that promote open dialogue and reflection.
Provide support and encouragement to group members.

Participate in a Social and Emotional Learning Design Challenge

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Engage in a competition that challenges you to develop creative solutions for promoting social and emotional learning in the classroom.

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Research existing SEL design challenges.
Identify a specific problem or need that you want to address.
Develop a proposal for your solution.
Submit your proposal and participate in the competition.
Reflect on your experience and share your learnings.

Career center

Learners who complete Teacher SEL: Programs, Possibilities, and Contexts will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

School Counselor

School Counselors help students to succeed in school and in life. They work with students of all ages to address academic, social, and emotional challenges. This course could be useful for School Counselors because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective school counseling practice, and this course could help School Counselors to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their work.

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School Psychologist

School Psychologists help students to succeed in school and in life. They work with students of all ages to assess and address academic, social, and emotional problems. This course could be useful for School Psychologists because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective school psychology practice, and this course could help School Psychologists to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their work.

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Special Education Teacher

Special Education Teachers work with students with disabilities to help them learn and grow. They develop and implement individualized education programs (IEPs) that meet the unique needs of each student. This course could be useful for Special Education Teachers because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective special education practice, and this course could help Special Education Teachers to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their classrooms.

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Teacher of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing

Teachers of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing work with students who are deaf or hard of hearing. They develop and implement individualized education programs (IEPs) that meet the unique needs of each student. This course could be useful for Teachers of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective teaching for students who are deaf or hard of hearing, and this course could help Teachers of the Deaf or Hard of Hearing to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their classrooms.

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Teacher of the Visually Impaired

Teachers of the Visually Impaired work with students who are blind or visually impaired. They develop and implement individualized education programs (IEPs) that meet the unique needs of each student. This course could be useful for Teachers of the Visually Impaired because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective teaching for students who are blind or visually impaired, and this course could help Teachers of the Visually Impaired to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their classrooms.

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Teacher

Teachers plan, implement, and evaluate instruction in a variety of educational settings. They work with students of all ages and abilities to help them learn and grow. This course could be useful for Teachers because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective teaching, and this course could help Teachers to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their classrooms.

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Physical Therapist

Physical Therapists help people to improve their movement and function. They work with individuals of all ages to rehabilitate from injuries and disabilities. This course could be useful for Physical Therapists because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective physical therapy practice, and this course could help Physical Therapists to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their work.

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Rehabilitation Counselor

Rehabilitation Counselors help people with disabilities to live independently. They work with individuals of all ages to develop skills that they need to find employment, manage their finances, and live in the community. This course could be useful for Rehabilitation Counselors because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective rehabilitation counseling practice, and this course could help Rehabilitation Counselors to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their work.

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Educational Consultant

Educational Consultants develop, implement, and evaluate educational programs and services. They work with schools, businesses, and other organizations to improve teaching and learning. This course could be useful for Educational Consultants because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective teaching and learning, and this course could help Educational Consultants to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their work.

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Youth Counselor

Youth Counselors provide guidance and support to young people. They work with youth of all ages to help themcope with personal, social, and emotional challenges. This course could be useful for Youth Counselors because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective youth counseling practice, and this course could help Youth Counselors to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their work.

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Counselor

Counselors provide guidance and support to people of all ages. They work with individuals, families, and groups to help them cope with personal, social, and emotional challenges. This course could be useful for Counselors because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective counseling, and this course could help Counselors to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their work.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people to improve their lives and well-being. They work with individuals, families, groups, and communities to address a wide range of social problems. This course could be useful for Social Workers because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective social work practice, and this course could help Social Workers to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their work.

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Psychologist

Psychologists study human behavior and mental processes. They work with individuals, groups, and organizations to help them understand and mengatasi with psychological problems. This course could be useful for Psychologists because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective psychological practice, and this course could help Psychologists to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their work.

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Speech-Language Pathologist

Speech-Language Pathologists assess and treat speech, language, and swallowing disorders. They work with individuals of all ages to improve their communication skills. This course could be useful for Speech-Language Pathologists because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective speech-language pathology practice, and this course could help Speech-Language Pathologists to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their work.

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Occupational Therapist

Occupational Therapists help people to improve their ability to perform everyday tasks. They work with individuals of all ages to develop skills that they need to live independently. This course could be useful for Occupational Therapists because it provides an overview of social and emotional learning (SEL) programs and possibilities. SEL is an important component of effective occupational therapy practice, and this course could help Occupational Therapists to better understand how to incorporate SEL into their work.

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