​Social emotional learning on display at D157-C Tiger University

FRANKFORT, IL — Administrators and social workers at Frankfort School District 157-C presented parents and community members with an overview of the District’s social emotional curriculum at the first Tiger University for Parents and Guardians of the school year, held Tuesday, September 24, at Hickory Creek Middle School.

Tiger University sessions are organized in collaboration with the District’s Family School Partnership.

Nichole Reiser, special education coordinator for the District, said the District is part of the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL), which provides standards on social emotional learning (SEL) to schools throughout Illinois and the nation.

CASEL’s core competencies for SEL include self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision-making, relationship skills and social awareness.

Research shows that children who receive a robust social emotional curriculum experience greater academic achievement and have fewer problems with conduct inside and outside of school, Reiser said.

At District 157-C, for preschoolers, Project BEGIN teaches about topics like self-awareness, social awareness, and self-management. For kindergartners through fifth-graders, Second Step offers age-appropriate lessons on subjects like empathy, focusing attention, listening, bullying prevention, positive self-talk and being assertive. For sixth- through eighth-graders, Mawi Learning focuses on subjects like solving problems, setting goals, mindset, finding one’s voice, taking time for oneself and becoming a leader.

All social emotional curriculum at the District is guided by the District’s SEL Committee, which includes members from all three schools and District administration. Committee members work to provide professional development to teachers and staff members as well as evaluate the progress of and set goals for SEL.

Reiser said Second Step is geared toward younger students and teaches social emotional lessons in short, 30-minute sessions. Lessons often include songs, videos, visual aids and even the use of puppets. Second Step also offers materials for parents to review via hard copy, taken home by students, or online, on teachers’ webpages and Second Step’s website.

Reiser presented a few short videos to attendees showcasing what students and teachers have learned from Second Step, and what they enjoyed most about the tool.

Diane Heimlich, social worker at Hickory Creek Middle School and dean at Grand Prairie Elementary School, said Mawi Learning is a 30-week course that is broken down into three different sections that students learn throughout sixth, seventh and eighth grades. These sections are called “Turbos.” Turbo 1 introduces the concept of the Turbo Button, which students can “press” to take action to improve a situation or life for themselves or others. It also focuses on relationships, goal setting and hindsight. Turbo 2 focuses on building confidence, practicing mindfulness, finding one’s voice and planning for the future. Turbo 3 focuses on leadership and conflict resolution.

“We are very proud of the District’s comprehensive Social Emotional Learning Program we provide beginning in pre-K all the way through eighth grade,” said Dr. Maura Zinni, superintendent of District 157-C. “We know that academic success and social emotional learning go hand-in-hand. We are fortunate to have dedicated and compassionate staff who teach social and emotional skill lessons to our students and reinforce these skills through positive interactions both during school and as a part of our robust extra-curricular opportunities.”

A full recap of this Tiger University can be viewed on YouTube here.

The next Tiger University is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 22, at Hickory Creek. Tom Kress, of Hi Esteem Coaching, will present “Your Power Project: Building Powerful Lives.” This session will focus on helping students increase their self-esteem through shifting to positive, growth mindsets and identifying their purpose and direction in life.