Synopsis
Know YourSELf is a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) journal of Self-Awareness. The journal is comprised of a collection of thought provoking quotes paired with reflective and introspective prompts intended to promote a deeper sense of Self-Awareness, an essential SEL competency. Ideally, Know YourSELf will be used in a group setting at the middle school level to facilitate the development of relationships, build community, and foster a sense of belonging and acceptance among group members. Each journal activity provides the opportunity for group members to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of themselves and one another. Historically, middle schools have struggled to successfully implement SEL programming. Students have found canned, scripted SEL programs to be contrived and in-genuine. Much like trying to force a square peg into a round hole, middle school SEL programs have failed to deliver authentic, effective, developmentally appropriate lessons and activities. Expensive SEL programs have been purchased with best intentions, yet somehow find their way onto shelves where they are merely collecting dust. As such, middle schools across the nation have all but thrown in the towel as efforts to implement SEL continue to perplex school leaders. Teaching and practicing SEL skills and competencies in schools is imperative and failure to provide SEL in schools is a disservice to our students, our school culture, and our communities at large. SEL has made its way to the national and international spotlight in educational discourse. Extensive research has helped define the “what” and “why” of SEL. This journal provides a solution for “how” to integrate SEL through simple, authentic, engaging, and reflective 5-7 minute journaling practices followed by a whole group circle share-out. Journal prompts encourage students to peel back their proverbial layers, while sharing responses in a group setting facilitates connections among classmates, fosters a sense of belonging, and inspires students to develop an understanding and appreciation of self and others.
About the Author
Emilie Day Correa, Ed. D. has over 16 years of experience in the field of education. Originally from the far north suburbs of Chicago, she received a bachelor’s degree in Art History from the College of Charleston, South Carolina. Upon graduation, Emilie moved back to her hometown of Waukegan, IL to become a Bilingual Education teacher. Emilie went on to earn a Master’s degree in Elementary Education from Northern Illinois University. After eight years of teaching Bilingual Education, Emilie taught Spanish as a Foreign Language and pursued a second Master’s degree in School Counseling. Most recently, Emilie has earned a doctorate in Educational Leadership with a focus in Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Emilie learned early in her teaching career that more important than planning and facilitating daily lessons of academia, were the relationships and connections she developed with her students. She realized that she had a natural ability and inclination to build respectful, trustworthy relationships with her students, colleagues, and the parent community. Emilie discovered that the most interesting subject matter to teach was not social studies, language arts, or Spanish, it was the students themselves. It became very obvious that what most inspired her teaching practice was human connection, Social Emotional Learning, and well-being.
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