Social And Emotional Learning On Display At Seaford School Conference

SEAFORD, NY — Seaford High School hosted its first Habits of Mind Conference last week, bringing together educators for a two-day lesson on social and emotional learning programs that teach students to be productive learners based on 16 different qualities.

The “Habits of Mind” Conference took place Apr. 16 and 17, with keynotes from Habits of Mind co-founder Dr. Bena Kallick and curriculum consultant Allison Zmuda. While it was Seaford’s first conference, it wasn’t the first time Habits of Mind has been on display: The Habits of Mind curriculum began as a book, published 31 years ago, with district officials saying it’s now “firmly rooted” in schools across the country.

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The conference started on Apr. 16, and allowed educators to watch instructional videos and discuss them in groups to learn about important traits that have come to be emphasized in the district.

Later on Apr. 16, educators got to visit Harbor and Manor elementary schools, both certified by Habits of Mind as “learning communities of excellence,” to walk through classrooms and see Habits of Mind lessons in action.

Then, on Apr. 17, four students from elementary, middle and high school in Seaford came together for a panel, discussing how Habits of Mind education principles have impacted their lives.

For Seaford Superintendent Dr. Adele Pecora, the conference was an opportunity to reflect on a book she first read 24 years ago, when she was a young administrator trying to learn the ropes.

“The conference went exceptionally well,” Pecora said. “Our guests saw how the Habits of Mind are infused in all of the work that we do. They learned that when we grow these skills in children, they become more effective learners and leaders. There was great value in touring our campuses to see how it’s part of the fabric of what we do with Seaford. Through breakout sessions, panel discussions and informal conversations, participants got to hear from everybody – administrators, teachers and students. That was the power of this conference.”

When Pecora became superintendent at Seaford in 2017, district officials said, she brought Habits of Mind with her, emphasizing things like community, culture, communication, persistence and flexibility.

“She explained how students learn better when they develop these actionable behaviors that foster thinking and reflection,” district officials said.