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Educators in a meeting
Webinar | Effective Strategies for Responding to Pushback Against Social and Emotional Learning
February 8th, 2022
2:00-3:00PM EST

Join a panel of education experts in a conversation around what misinformation about SEL exists, how it is causing potential challenges for some schools and districts, and how to communicate more effectively to families, students, and staff about the importance of SEL skills. 

About the Event

As administrators and educators move quickly to support the pressing mental health needs of students, some efforts have been clouded by a growing national pushback to social and emotional learning (SEL). Misunderstanding and skepticism of the vital role of SEL in the classroom may lead to contentious conversations. Learning about effective strategies for responding to these critiques can help your school district prepare.

Join Education Development Center (EDC) on February 8th at 2pm EST for a fireside chat with a moderated panel of national education experts. Our panelists will discuss what misinformation about SEL exists, how it is causing potential challenges for some schools and districts, and how to communicate more effectively to families, students, and staff about the importance of SEL skills. 

We invite you to contribute to this rich conversation and hope our recommended resources prove helpful. If you are unable to join the webinar, register anyway and we’ll send you post-event materials.

Resources

Readings

Resources referenced during the webinar:

  • Identity Affirming Classrooms Spaces that Center Humanity (2022) Erica Buchanan-Rivera 
    Get resource
  • "Communicating the Learning in SEL, Berman & Darling-Hammond" (Nov. 2021) Sheldon Berman, Linda Darling-Hammond for Learning Policy Institute
    Get resource
  •  "Lowering the temperature of critical race theory debate" (Jul. 2021) Aaron Spence in The Virginian Pilot 
    Get resource
  • "The common ground on race and education that hiding in plain sight" (May 2021) Michael J. Petrilli for Fordham Institute 
    Get resource
Websites

Websites referenced during the webinar:

Media

Media coverage about the webinar:

"Opposition to social-emotional learning provokes calls to engage community, address false claims" (Feb. 9, 2022) on K-12 Dive 
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"Jargon may have turned parents against social and emotional learning" (Feb. 7, 2022 ) on The Hechinger Report.
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Newsletter from the Hechinger Report
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*The Hechinger Report suggests that SEL terminology is not recommended, which does not reflect the view of our panel. 

 

Speakers
Photo of Richard Fournier
Richard Fournier
Director of Partnerships, EDC Solutions

Richard Fournier, partnership director of EDC Solutions, is experienced in SEL and mental health and a licensed superintendent, former teacher, and researcher. 

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Jim Vetter Headshot
Jim Vetter

Jim Vetter, EDC subject matter expert in social and emotional learning, is on the leadership team of the Social-Emotional Learning Alliance for the United States (SEL4US).

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Photo of Lara Bergthold
Lara Bergthold

Lara Bergthold is a campaign and communications strategist and principal partner at RALLY, an issue-driven communications firm.

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Photo of Erica Buchanan-Rivera
Erica Buchanan-Rivera

Dr. Erica Buchanan-Rivera, the Director of Equity and Inclusion for the Washington Township in Indiana, has served as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and director of curriculum prior to her current role.

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