The Puzzle of Instruction: Social Emotional Learning Integration in All Content Areas

How many hats do you wear in a day as an educator? We are teachers, counselors, coaches, mental health coordinators, de facto parents while dabbling in behavior specialist work. We already have full plates, AND something needs to change. We are not suggesting that you need to add one more thing. Instead, we are asking you to think beyond what you teach, and focus on how you teach. As teachers we have the true power to change the outcome for our students, through supporting the whole child's social and emotional learning; through academics. Throughout this book, we will provide Explanations of CASEL's (Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning) 5 social-emotional competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making skills. Connections to common core standards, with explanations on how to integrate the competencies with academic instruction. Alignment between culturally responsive teaching practices and the competencies, ensuring our students are prepared for life beyond our k-12 system. Impactful reflection opportunities to support the understanding of your OWN social and emotional skills. It's time to stand in the gap for our students!

Kasia Gutierrez has worked in the Education field for 17 years. She has held roles as a Classroom Teacher in grades 2-6th, Instructional coach, and Elementary Principal. Before teaching, Kasia worked in Human Resource Management, but it was during her time helping in a 3rd grade Sunday school class, she realized her passion to work with kids. When not working, she is an avid reader of kids literature, personal development, and resources connecting social-emotional learning to equitable outcomes for all kids. Kasia and her husband Jay have two boys, Jackson and Carter. She has the privilege to work as a principal in their school and to live in her school community.

Christa Pruss has been an educator for 20 years having taught Kindergarten, 1st grade, fifth/sixth blend, 6th grade and currently a behavior specialist in Hillsboro, Oregon. She received her Bachelor of Arts at Southern Oregon University and Masters in Education at the University of Denver. Christa lives with her husband Nate, who is also a long time educator as well as their three children Isabelle, Katelyn and Jeffrey. They enjoy spending their summers traveling all over the United States. They are close to having been to all 50!