December days can be dreary, cold, and somewhat miserable.  Teachers are working hard to make it through certain content before holiday break and students are distracted, excited, and sometimes focused on everything but the content.  Teacher mentality plus scattered student attention can equate to an extremely challenging learning environment.  Not to mention unspoken stressors that upcoming holiday breaks can present for teachers and students alike.

One of the bright spots of the pandemic is that it has brought mental health to the forefront of many conversations and has created a priority to checking in on the mental health of students. This has provided opportunities for conversation and reflection. It has also empowered students to advocate for themselves when help is needed. 

Students in every school come into contact with a handful of staff members each day who are invested not only in their academic success, but also in their overall well-being.  Although it is not possible for all staff members to be certified mental health professionals or to receive extensive training in psychology, trauma, or other mental health services, there are some resources that are available to educators for free. These resources allow untrained staff to provide mental health triage, support, and conversation starters that help students identify and learn to manage their feelings and emotions. 

How can technology help support students?

When thinking about supporting student social-emotional learning, technology is not always a support or solution that comes to mind.  There are times when simple face-to-face interactions are the best option, but there are also a variety of technology tools that can be used to support students in-person and virtually so that SEL can be as accessible as possible. 

In supporting student SEL, it is important to make sure that teachings and interactions are focused on areas to not only identify, but promote student growth.  CASEL has developed a framework consisting of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. 

When viewed through one of those lenses, teachers can then work to make SEL as accessible to students as possible through Universal Design for Learning (UDL).  Why UDL?  According to UDL on Campus, the “WHY” can be identified in two parts:

1. “Emotion and learning are deeply, critically intertwined and the relationship between them affects academic performance.
2. The relationship between emotion and learning is rarely part of the planning process when developing courses, nor is it made explicit within the activities themselves and throughout learning environments broadly speaking.”

The dynamic duo of an SEL framework and UDL can provide a powerful and equitable framework for supporting, teaching, and growing student social-emotional learning. 

How can you access these mental health resources?

We are so glad you asked! Last year Kent ISD began offering a free micro-PD called EdTech Cheer. The theme for 2021 is “Supporting Student Social Emotional Learning (SEL) with Technology.” Each day participants can expect to learn how technology resources can be used to support SEL, as well as, build a resources library to help them in their buildings.  The content of this course has been designed by Kent ISD’s EdTech Consultants, and they are excited to welcome Rukshana Ilahi, Kent ISD Mental Wellness Consultant as a daily contributor!

What is a micro-PD?

In this micro-PD, participants will receive short, daily communication via text message over 12 days. Each message will provide a broad overview of a specific topic as it relates to supporting SEL with technology. Each day there will be a reflection to provide a chance to share thoughts, resources, or other ideas (oh and earn SCECH credit). Participants can expect to spend approximately 15 minutes a day learning, but are welcome to dive deeper into specific topics (now or later). There will also be plenty of resources shared.

Still not sure what this might look like?  Check out last year’s EdTech Cheer! 

What did participants from last year have to say about EdTech Cheer?

“This course was absolutely fantastic!  I am VERY impressed with not only the topics and the learning that I gained from it, but also with how it was organized so neatly on the website.”

“Very well organized, kept my interest and I have already implemented new techniques from this course into my practice.”

“Thank you for putting together an engaging PD that is meaningful and thought provoking.”

“I loved this course and I would take it again in a heartbeat.”

How can you get started?

You can start off by registering for the “2021 EdTech Cheer” (asynchronous) professional learning opportunity that is available starting December 1st.  By registering, you can receive SCECH credit for your daily participation as well as learn more about technology as an SEL support tool and a bunch of resources! You can join at any time and have flexibility to catch up or even work ahead – this is about supporting your professional learning needs as well as honoring your own social-emotional learning.   If you don’t need SCECH credit, feel free to simply visit the website and take in as much information as you wish. 

#MentalWellnessMatters #EdTech #WeLeadLearning #KentISDpd

This blog post was written by Sarah Wood, Education Technology Consultant for Kent ISD and edited by Amanda Walma, Professional Learning Coordinator and Sara Sefcik, PD Hub Intern at Kent ISD.