Social & Emotional Learning

Social and emotional learning (SEL) skills aren't core content, but they're the core of all content. According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), these skills include how to "understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions."

Implementing SEL and teaching character aren't without challenges or debates. There's a lack of consensus about how we measure SEL skills (and whether we should or even can), how technology fits into SEL instruction, and whether you can truly "teach" character. A few things are clear, however: SEL is important, teachers value it, and digital technology is part of our lives. 

Explore the topics below to learn more about character strengths like empathy, find actionable activities and edtech tools for the classroom, and discover ways to involve families in SEL learning. 

Thank you to Getty Images, Jen Siska, and Allison Shelley/The Verbatim Agency for American Education: Images of Teachers and Students in Action.