Don’t Believe the Hype with Shirley Irizarry

ISSUE #3 — Social, Emotional Learning (SEL)

AUGUST 3, 2023

Welcome to “Don’t Believe the Hype” with Shirley Irizarry, where we will be bringing truth to light about issues affecting parents and students.

In our previous issue,we spoke about book bans and the parties responsible for them. So while we’re probably already drawing their ire and starting trouble we might as well address the false narratives they are producing about Social, Emotional Learning (SEL).

The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) defines SEL as “an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.” In short, SEL helps students attain certain competencies to support healthy development and relationships. This is done through the teaching of 5 major competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

• There is no hidden agenda to exploit students and their feelings, nor to enforce a “new-age” thought process. In fact, according to an article by understood.org, students who were taught SEL were able to:
• Get along better with others
• Have an increased ability to manage stress
• Are more likely to graduate from high school
• Have key social skills that employers are looking for
• Are less likely to be involved in the criminal system

In upcoming issues of “Don’t Believe the Hype” we’ll be debunking several myths about SEL leading up to the National Parents Union Townhall: Let’s Get Real About Health Literacy and SEL. Be sure to register now for this important conversation right as our students are returning to school. Registration can be completed by clicking here!