Current Trends in Teacher Education and Social and Emotional Learning

• In Event: Social and Emotional Learning in Teacher Education Programs

Abstract

Empowering teachers with the skillsets to implement SEL requires weaving knowledge and practice of SEL throughout their educator preparation programs (EPPs; Schonert-Reichl et al., 2017, Katz et al., 2020). Since EPPs serve a variety of students with different needs – undergraduates majoring in education, graduate students seeking licensure, or non-matriculated students seeking professional development - a one-size-fits all approach to infusing SEL into EPPs is not sufficient.
The purpose of this paper is to highlight several exemplary EPPs that are integrating SEL-based preparation into their programs in various ways. The EPPs highlighted in this paper represent established and emerging programs – each of which have engaged in research to examine the impact of their programs. Review of these programs has revealed that EPPs often take one of three approaches when providing SEL-based preparation to their pre-service educators. These include offering (a) SEL-explicit courses, (b) SEL specialties or certifications, or (c) integrating SEL at the programmatic level. This paper will provide a detailed review of several EPPs and discuss the approaches they have taken to offer preparation in SEL. Tables 1-3 represent a sample of the types of EPPs that will be highlighted during this presentation (Appendix A).
SEL-explicit Course Offerings
Numerous EPPs offer individual courses that are explicitly founded upon SEL principles (Schonert-Reichl et al, 2017). Various topics are often included in these types of courses: social and emotional learning and development for children and adults, the neuroscience of teaching and learning, developing a supportive learning environment, SEL for inclusion and equity, and positive classroom management. Frequently offered by a School of Education or Psychology Department, such courses may be included as part of a teacher candidate’s required coursework or offered as electives.
SEL Specialties or Certificates
Several schools offer students the option to obtain an ‘add-on’ specialty or certificate in SEL while concurrently earning their initial teaching licensures. In such cases, students typically complete the regular requirements for their degree and teaching licensure as well as complete a series of courses specific to SEL. These types of ‘add on’ specialties often result in the newly certified teacher having a specific SEL designation listed on their teaching licensure in addition to any other acquired endorsements, specialties, or certifications.
SEL Integrated at the Programmatic Level
A few schools have established SEL as an integral part of their pre-service teacher education programs. This means that rather than view SEL as an ‘add-on’ to the traditional coursework and experiences offered by a teacher education program, SEL is weaved into every aspect of the program. Examples of integrating SEL at a programmatic level may include partnering with local school districts to ensure teacher candidates are placed in SEL-promoting schools while completing their student teaching, collaboration with local school districts and policy leaders to align teaching standards with current the K-12 SEL standards established for your state, providing ongoing instruction in SEL-based topics to the faculty and staff within the pre-service teaching program, or explicitly weaving SEL into the content of all courses offered throughout a program.

Author

• Julie Sauve, University of British Columbia
  Presenting Author