When I see the growing body of research and the increased awareness around social and emotional learning (SEL), I feel hopeful that education is trending toward a more meaningful understanding of SEL’s deep impact on life success. And as SEL becomes more ubiquitous in our conversations around school improvement, I feel encouraged that we are focused on addressing the needs of the whole child. SEL’s emergence into the spotlight has shown our communities that the best educators place students at the center of all they do. They love their kids and want them to achieve in school and beyond.
But I often ask myself, what about the teachers? Even prior to the pandemic, teacher satisfaction, stress, and retention had been perennial issues. The prolonged pandemic strains only deepened these ingrained fractures within the system, which have yet to be resolved in any fundamental way.
We know that teachers have the most significant impact on student learning, but if their own needs are missing from the equation, then I only foresee a breakdown in what we can expect from SEL in our schools.
Venola L Mason
To repeat an oft-used metaphor, we must put on our oxygen masks first so that we can adequately assist others. If teachers are responsible for facilitating innovative, rigorous, relevant, and engaging learning, and in forging the meaningful student-teacher relationships that allow this to happen, then they, too, must be empowered to reap the research-based benefits of SEL.
I see many articles that sound the alarm about teacher burnout and attrition. But my additional concern is that there is more than just a preventive aspect of adult-focused SEL knowledge and competence. There is an incredible opportunity for SEL to create conditions for teachers to truly love the work they do and to more deeply love themselves.
I have read articles and social media posts that liken teaching to a vocation or a personal calling—and for many, it is. But sometimes I get the sense that with this characterization is the implication that the overbearing stress and emotional and physical depletion just come with the territory. I disagree. Yes, it is hard work. Yes, it is a tough job. But it need not be dehumanizing or demoralizing.