Friends,
I invite you to read the brief on School Climate and SEL from Pennsylvania State University. The overlap in each of these elements inlcude:
- Supportive relationships
- Engagement
- Safety
- Cultural competence
- Cultural responsiveness
- Challenge and high expectations
We know that our learners need to feel supported and respected as well as develop positive relationships with the program staff. However students also need engagement. What does that mean to you? I often feel engagement is really feeling a sense of belonging and connection. Students also feel safe, so how do you build both emotional and physical safety in the program?
Schools with positive climates also have staff members that demonstrate cultural competence. This is so important when we work with sush a diverse population. This cultural competence leads to cultural responsiveness. Finally, it'si mportant to create an enviorment where students feel challenged and have high expectations.
I hope you find the brief meaningful, and I'd love to hear how you build these features into your program. Do you feel it leads to student retention and goal achievement?
I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts.
Sincerely,
Kathy
Kathy_Tracey