Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Introduction: Using Social-Emotional Learning to Make Your School More Positive and Productive
What Does Social-Emotional Learning Have to Do With Systems Change?
Fair Warning: The Challenge Of Systems Change
Chapter 1: Why Now?
Mental Health Of Our Students
Adverse Childhood Experiences
The Changing Dynamics Of Our Classrooms
Burnout And Stress Of Teachers
The First Step—Self-Care: Putting Yourself on the To-Do List
Chapter 2: Whole-School Social-Emotional Learning—Research on SEL
What Is Social-Emotional Learning?
Powerful Evidence Supporting The Impact Of Enhancing Students’ Social-Emotional Skills
Multitiered Systems Of Support And Sel: Universal Support For All Students
Chapter 3: Strategy #1: Identify Your Why
Inspiration Leads to Action
Beliefs as Barriers to Action
The Mascot, the Carrot, and the Competition
Why Is the Driver for Who, What, When, and Where
Chapter 4: Strategy #2: Adopt A Framework
Framework, Model, and Intervention, Oh My!
Read the Directions Before Application: Choosing a Framework
The Importance of Process When Choosing a Framework
Chapter 5: Strategy #3: Do Your Detective Work—Data Collection and Data Analysis
Large Data Sets: Needs Assessment, Universal Screeners, Skill Assessments, and Surveys
In the Moment: Data Collection
How Do We Gather Data About Our School and Community?
Developing Your Own Accountability Tool
Chapter 6: Strategy #4: Work With Others to Develop a Vision to Guide Change
Your School Leaders—Are They on Board?
Chapter 7: Strategy #5: Understand the Politics of Your Workplace
Understanding the Politics of Your Workplace (Yes, Even In Kindergarten)
Importance of Who Is on the Team
The “What” of School SEL Teams
Making Working Together Work
Things to Consider When Hiring an Expert
Chapter 8: Strategy #6: Develop an Action Plan for Implementation
Making Stuff Happen—It’s All About a Plan
You Say You Want an Interventions
What Is Loose and What Is Tight?
What Do We Want? Change! When Do We Want It? Should’ve Happened Yesterday!
Chapter 9: Strategy #7: Invest in Your Infrastructure
What Is Infrastructure And Why Do We Need It?
Fidelity of Implementation
Parent/Family Involvement
Building Community Understanding
Infrastructure Issues: The Leadership Merry-Go-Round
Chapter 10: Strategy #8: Plan for Resistance to Change
Chapter 11: Strategy #9: Assess Your Outcomes
Gold Standard for Change: The “Fire Drill Effect”
Big Question: Did Anything Change for the Better?
SEL Intervention Outcomes
Measuring Your SEL Implementation
Be Sensitive to Outcome Overload
Overall Goal of Assessing Outcomes: Improving Systemic Integration and Sustainability
Chapter 12: Strategy #10: Fill in the Gaps of Your Foundation
Revisiting the Past: How Is Your Framework Meeting Your Needs?
Celebration Time! Okay, Now Back to Work
Revise and Resubmit: The Evolution of Your Intervention
Chapter 13: Conclusion
A Final Message for You: The Agent of Change
Appendix 1: SEL and System Change Strategies Rubric
Appendix 2: Professional Development Exit Ticket
Appendix 3: Figures and Graphics
References
Index