Social Emotional Learning and Educational Equity
Posted on by Bill Hansen, Horizons at CDS Development and Communications Manager
Social-emotional learning (SEL) has become an essential component of education, helping individuals develop the skills necessary to navigate life’s challenges, build meaningful relationships, and achieve personal and professional growth. By fostering emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills, SEL equips students with the tools they need to thrive.
This month, we celebrate National Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Week, beginning on March 3rd. SEL helps students understand and manage their emotions, set and achieve goals, build relationships, and practice empathy. By supporting students' health, safety, and overall wellness, SEL plays a crucial role in fostering academic success and personal growth.
My journey in youth development began in Chicago, where my agency collaborated with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) to establish the first SEL learning standards for public schools. CASEL’s pioneering research laid the foundation for SEL integration into education nationwide. As I oversaw the incorporation of SEL principles into a new Youth Development curriculum, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact SEL had on students’ academic and personal development.
At Horizons at Carolina Day School, we deeply value the power of SEL and intentionally integrate it into our rigorous academic program, both during the summer and throughout the school year. Our mission to promote educational equity by fostering long-term partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools reflects our commitment to SEL.
CASEL’s vision reinforces our belief: “SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.”
Our strong partnerships with students, families, communities, and schools are what make our Horizons family unique. As we celebrate National SEL Week, we invite you to join us in recognizing the social-emotional growth of our students and the critical role SEL plays in their academic success. Together, we can continue to create a supportive and empowering learning environment for all.