The Teacher's Social and Emotional Learning from Coursera

Social and emotional learning, or SEL, programs have flourished in schools during the last decade. While this growth has been impressive, inadequate attention has been paid to teachers’ social and emotional learning. In this course Dan Liston and Randy Testa introduce you to various rationales for why teacher SEL is needed as well as examine and reflect on various emotions in teaching and learning.

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

Why SEL and the teacher?

Here we introduce what SEL is and why it is important for all teachers. We elaborate the need for the teacher to enhance her/his knowledge of self, especially his/her own social and emotional terrain. A guiding premise is that deeper teacher self-understanding facilitates and enhances deeper student relations and greater chances for the transformative possibilities for student and teacher. A related premise is that by examining our deeply held cherished beliefs and emotional responses to situations and texts, we create opportunities for further insights into why and the ways we teach.

What does teaching do to teachers?

Here we further elaborate the need for the teacher to enhance her/his knowledge of self, especially his/her emotional responses as well as deeply held beliefs.

Sadness and despair in teaching

The value of reflection on and examination of sadness, despair, and related emotions in teaching is seen as one example of an enhanced “granularity” offered to teachers through reflection on emotions.

Joy, passion, and enjoyment in teaching

The value of reflection on and examination of joy and passion, as well as other related emotions in teaching is seen as another example of an enhanced “granularity” that can be gained by teachers through a reflection on emotions.

Grit and wholeness in teaching

By contrasting “grit” and “wholeness” in teaching and learning we explore further the value we as individuals place on these two orienting dispositions.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines rationales for why teacher SEL is necessary

Develops an awareness of emotions in teaching and learning

Taught by instructors Dan Liston and Randy Testa, recognized experts in SEL

Helps teachers enhance their self-knowledge

Explores the impact of teaching on teachers' emotions

Examines the values of grit and wholeness in teaching

Reviews summary

The teacher's emotional journey

Learners say those teaching the course are largely positive role models who share inspiring insights with engaging materials. They especially recommend the readings, which provide valuable information about teachers' social and emotional well-being. One learner stressed that the readings were difficult for them as a non-native speaker, so learners with similar circumstances should be prepared for this. Overall, learners found the course thought-provoking and enlightening.

Provides in-depth and relevant readings on social and emotional learning

"I LOVED this course! The readings were captivating and inspiring."

"I truly learned so much and reflected on my own beliefs intensely. It was refreshing and challenging in that I was forced to look deep into myself and evaluate where I am in my social emotional learning of my inner self and I feel like I will bring the lessons I learned into my coaching of my teachers and students."

"It was very interesting to think about why teachers tend to lose the passion they used to have when they started teaching."

Promotes self-reflection and critical thinking about teaching

"This course is fundamental for anyone teaching or considering teaching."

"This course had helped understand in depth on how social and emotional aspects of a teacher's life can greatly affect students' life as well."

"This course is a thought provoking and enriching ride to one beginning the journey to understand the need and importance of teachers' social and emotional well being."

Prioritizes the emotional well-being of educators

"I am really pleasantly surprised by the focus on the social and emotional needs and insight of the teacher in this course."

"Being a teacher, who has an experience of 3 years, I feel this i a very enlightening course for me. I have still have a lot of enthusiasm for my vocation but loved to understand how this enthusiasm may falter, yet it can be rekindled. I highly recommend this course to all the teachers."

"Exploring the self- as a teacher is often an overlooked process, but ever so important. The course helped me reflect better as a teacher."

Some readings are lengthy and complex

"This course contains a lot of reading material. This is unusual for a MOOC, but makes it easier to read almost anywhere."

"FOR THOSE TRYING TO COMPLETE THE CAPSTONE! DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY!!!!! IT IS A DEAD COURSE AND NO ONE WILL GRADE YOUR WORK"

"When taking a class called social emotional learning I expect that the teachers of the subject connect with their students on exactly that level."

Includes historical texts that may be difficult to relate to

"A very interesting course that focuses on the social and emotional aspects of teaching. Although at the beginning it was a bit strange to read some texts that are over 100 years old."

"Exploring the self- as a teacher is often an overlooked process, but ever so important. The course helped me reflect better as a teacher."

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 The Teacher's Social and Emotional Learning with these activities:

Review materials from prior courses

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Revisiting SEL concepts from prior experiences will help you have a stronger foundation and better understand the key takeaways of this course.

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List down the SEL theories, models, and frameworks you have studied in the past.
Revisit your notes, assignments, and quizzes from prior SEL courses.
Record the key takeaways and reflections you had about SEL.

Review Basic Social Psychology

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Strengthen your understanding of social psychology concepts to better understand student behavior and dynamics.

Browse courses on Social Psychology

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Review your previous coursework or study materials on social psychology.
Focus on concepts such as group dynamics, conformity, and interpersonal communication.
Consider how these concepts apply to teaching and learning.

Review Educational Psychology

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Refresh your knowledge of educational psychology to better understand student learning and development.

Browse courses on Educational Psychology

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Review your previous coursework or study materials on educational psychology.
Focus on topics such as learning theories, motivation, and assessment.
Consider how these concepts apply to teaching and learning.

Six other activities

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Discuss the Role of Emotions in Teaching

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Engage with peers to share experiences, perspectives, and strategies for managing emotions in teaching.

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Find a peer group or online forum to connect with other teachers.
Share your own experiences and challenges with emotions in teaching.
Listen to and learn from the experiences of your peers.

Read "Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ"

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Become familiar with the concept of emotional intelligence (EQ) and its significance in teaching and learning.

View Emotional Intelligence on Amazon

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Preview the book by reading the introduction and first chapter.
Read each chapter and take notes on key concepts.
Reflect on how EQ relates to your own teaching experiences.

Reflect on Emotions in Teaching

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Enhance your ability to recognize and understand your emotions in teaching situations.

Browse courses on Emotional Awareness

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Identify a challenging teaching situation you have experienced.
Write down all the emotions you felt during that situation.
Analyze the triggers and consequences of each emotion.

Volunteer as a Mentor or Tutor

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Gain practical experience and enhance your understanding of SEL by mentoring or tutoring students.

Browse courses on Mentoring

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Identify organizations where you can volunteer as a mentor or tutor.
Commit to a regular schedule and prepare lesson plans or activities.
Provide support and guidance to students, focusing on SEL skills.

Create a Personal SEL Plan

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Develop a personalized plan to enhance your social and emotional skills as a teacher.

Browse courses on Social Emotional Learning

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Identify areas where you want to improve your SEL.
Research strategies and techniques for self-improvement.
Create a plan that outlines specific goals, activities, and a timeline.

Contribute to SEL Open Source Projects

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Engage with the broader SEL community by contributing to open source projects and sharing your insights.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Find open source projects related to SEL on platforms like GitHub.
Identify areas where you can contribute, such as documentation, code, or research.
Reach out to the project maintainers and offer your support.

Career center

Learners who complete The Teacher's Social and Emotional Learning will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Teacher

As a Teacher, you will be responsible for educating and inspiring students. This course can help you enhance your teaching practice by providing you with a deeper understanding of your own social and emotional experiences, as well as those of your students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Teacher Educator

As a Teacher Educator, you will be responsible for preparing and supporting future teachers. This course can help you enhance your teaching practice by providing you with a deeper understanding of your own social and emotional experiences, as well as those of your students.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher Educator

Principal

As a Principal, you will be responsible for leading and managing a school. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional challenges and rewards of teaching, which can help you better support your teachers and create a positive learning environment.

See salaries and explore the career path for Principal

School Counselor

As a School Counselor, you will provide academic, career, and personal counseling to students. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional experiences of teachers, which can help you better understand and support students.

See salaries and explore the career path for School Counselor

Education Consultant

As an Education Consultant, you will be responsible for providing guidance and support to schools and other educational organizations. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional challenges and opportunities faced by teachers and students, which can help you provide more effective and tailored support.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Consultant

Education Advocate

As an Education Advocate, you will be responsible for promoting and protecting the rights of students and educators. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional challenges and opportunities faced by teachers and students, which can help you better understand and address the issues they face.

See salaries and explore the career path for Education Advocate

Education Policy Analyst

As an Education Policy Analyst, you will be responsible for analyzing and evaluating educational policies and programs. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional challenges and rewards of teaching, which can help you develop more effective and equitable policies.

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Education Journalist

As an Education Journalist, you will be responsible for reporting on and analyzing educational issues and trends. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional challenges and opportunities faced by teachers and students, which can help you write more informed and impactful stories.

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Educational Researcher

As an Educational Researcher, you will be responsible for conducting research on educational issues and developing evidence-based practices. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional experiences of teachers, which can help you better understand and address the challenges and opportunities they face.

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Educational Psychologist

In your role as an Educational Psychologist, you will apply your expertise in psychology to improve educational systems and student outcomes. This course may be useful for your career as it explores the social and emotional learning of teachers, which is a key factor in student success.

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Education Technology Specialist

As an Education Technology Specialist, you will be responsible for integrating technology into educational settings. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional challenges and opportunities faced by teachers and students, which can help you develop and implement more effective and engaging technology-based learning experiences.

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Instructional Designer

As an Instructional Designer, you will be responsible for designing and developing educational materials and programs. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional needs of teachers and students, which can help you create more effective and engaging learning experiences.

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Nonprofit Program Director

As a Nonprofit Program Director, you will be responsible for leading and managing educational programs and initiatives. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional needs of teachers and students, which can help you create more effective and engaging programs.

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Higher Education Administrator

As a Higher Education Administrator, you will be responsible for managing and leading colleges and universities. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional experiences of teachers and students, which can help you better understand and support the needs of your institution's faculty and students.

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Curriculum Developer

As a Curriculum Developer, you will be responsible for designing and developing educational materials and programs. This course may be useful for your career as it provides insights into the social and emotional needs of teachers and students, which can help you create more effective and engaging learning experiences.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer