SEL & Global Ed

SEL & Global Education are Partners

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

As a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms (TGC) 2020-2021 Fellow, I learned from Jasmyn Wright, Fulbright TGC Fellow, 2015-2016, CEO, Global Educator, and Motivational Speaker, how SEL and Global ED work in tandem to create powerful leaders. In working at the Ron Brown College Preparatory High School (RBHS) in Washington, D.C. which has a strong focus and emphasis on SEL, I have learned to incorporate SEL and Global ED into my practice on a daily basis. I never really understood the importance of Circles until the Pandemic hit. Living alone and spending my days facing a screen was mentally and emotionally taxing, but Circles allowed me to feel connected and served as an emotional outlet. Let's take a look at how well SEL and Global ED partner together.

SEL

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary 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. (casel.org)

Circles

Everyday at RBHS we do family and community Circles. Circles help lower the affective filter, give students voice, identity, and empowerment. There are several foundational parts of our Circle which build culture and community:

  1. Greeting

  2. Uplift - "Shout outs" allow faculty and students to be recognized for what they are doing right.

  3. Theme lesson - Generally, there is a theme of the month i.e. thrive, gratitude, relationships, self-care, etc.

  4. Mindfulness - This is where the facilitator asks participants to focus on the lesson, on several affirmations, or on breathing with eyes closed and minds quiet.

We, at RBHS, have grade level Community Circles and each teacher does their own Family Circle at the start of each class. Circles are a restorative practice. We also have Restorative Circles when students have made poor decisions. These Circles are conducted to understand why the choice was made and to figure out what systems can be instituted to assist the student. Suspension is always the last resort in restorative practices.

Global Education

Defining Global Education

  • Global education enables young people to participate in shaping a better, shared future for the world

  • Global education emphasizes the interconnectedness and diversity of peoples and histories.

  • Global education develops students' skills to engage with their global

  • peers and highlights actions students can take as citizens of the world. (primarysource.org & globaleducation.edu.au)

Global education fosters more engagement in students especially when they are allowed more agency in their studies. Allowing them to take action helps them to grow and develop as leaders. Additionally, when students are given opportunities to interact with others around the world it helps them develop empathy and cultural awareness which is needed now more than ever with the increase of international companies and the influx of immigrants coming to the U.S.


SeL & Global Ed are Partners

Looking at the SEL chart and the Global Ed chart we can see why they work so well together. Jasmyn Wright said, "When we merge the two then we are shaping powerful leaders."

SDGs

The United Nations adopted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or also know as Global Goals in 2015. These goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 there will be peace and prosperity. Through these goals students can take action. These goals work hand in hand with SEL and Global Competencies.

SEL from the Young King's Perspective

Resources

These are resources to help build students' and parents'/guardians' global competencies and SEL skills.

Student sites:

  • National Geographic Kids - In addition to the kid's magazine, there are games, videos, and brain boosters all for students to learn more about the world.

  • The Wonderment - This is a site where students can take action with their ideas and connect with others.

  • Touchable Earth - This is a site that seeks to teach tolerance in gender, culture, and identity.

Parent sites:

  • Restorative Practice at Home - This site teaches parents how to use restorative practices and develop positive relationships.

  • World Learning - Based in Washington, D.C., this organization provides study abroad, global education, civic engagement, and youth workforce and entrepreneurship.

  • Study Abroad Info for Parents - This site provides information for parents about student study abroad.