As the Maine Department of Education and the Collaborative for Social Emotional Learning (CASEL) describes it:
“CASEL defines SEL as 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. When Maine school districts apply SEL systemically across multiple contexts, every day human connections can be made and maintained for optimal growth and development. SEL is much more than a program or lesson to be applied once a week, it’s foundation for human emotional intelligence. As Maine educators it’s our job to see each student as the truly unique individual they are and to pour our hearts into growing good human beings.” (Maine DOE, What is SEL?)
Advisory gives us the space to teach these life long skills. Through CASEL’s collaboration with multitudes of research studies, it has been found that having an Advisory program that teaches SEL skills has lasting impacts not only on the student, but the community and economy as well. Five great reasons to support Advisory and SEL:
- Improved Academic Outcomes and Behaviors
- Long Term, Global Impact
- 11:1 Return on Investment
- Can Help Reduce Poverty, Improve Economic Mobility
- Improves Lifetime Outcomes
Intrigued and want to learn more? Visit the CASEL website and the Maine DOE's information on Social Emotional Learning.