Social Emotional Learning techniques such as Restorative Practices and Trauma-Sensitive approaches have the capacity to foster stronger, more equitable school communities by supporting authentic communication and providing specific tools for conflict resolution and compassionate spaces. These tools empower students to establish their own voices of advocacy and build resiliency around their education and relationships, and adult social emotional practices create positive learning spaces for practitioners. The presenter will speak to how these approaches were successfully implemented in small-urban and suburban schools prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and will provide stories and reflections on building-wide implementation of Social Emotional learning practices in response to return-to-learn.
