Addressing Social Emotional Needs of Students through Equitable Practices to Foster Welcoming & Supportive Learning Environments

Format

Individual Presentation

First Presenter's Institution

Howard County Public School System

First Presenter’s Email Address

Lauren_Bauer@hcpss.org

First Presenter's Brief Biography

Lauren Bauer Ms. Bauer has shared her passion for the education of young children for over 40 years. A graduate of University of Maryland Baltimore County (B.S. Early Childhood Education & Sociology), Loyola University in Maryland (M. Ed. Educational Leadership & School Administration) and Doctoral Studies at Grand Canyon University (Organizational Leadership & Development). A wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Lauren believes a focus on growth mindset and positivity achieve emotional well-being. As a lifelong learner, Lauren has served as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), youth counselor, classroom teacher, assistant principal, and principal. Recently retired from the Howard County Public School System, Ms. Bauer continues to focus on building positive relationships and supporting local schools by substituting for administrators and teachers and volunteer work. Being present and positive, while working collaboratively with colleagues and families to build caring relationships, educators and significant adults play a major role in effecting emotional well-being in children. As professionals, intentional focus on the emotional well being of children in our care, creates a legacy to meet the goal for strong, resilient children. A favorite quote on the wall of an Early Childhood classroom in high school stated, “Childhood is like a mirror, which reflects the images first presented to it” (Samuel Smiles). As we examine our collective practices, what images are being provided to our children? Reflection, positivity and experience leads to strength, resilience and wisdom.

Second Presenter's Institution

Howard County Public School System

Second Presenter’s Email Address

Adrienne_Williams-McKinney@hcpss.org

Second Presenter's Brief Biography

Ms. Williams-McKinney has been an educator in the Baltimore metropolitan area for over 25 years. A graduate of Towson University (B.S. Early Childhood Education) and Loyola University in Maryland (M.Ed. Education with focus in Administration and Supervision). Ms. Williams-McKinney has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to fostering a school community where students, staff, and families recognize and embrace the importance of relationships, reflective, inclusive and equitable practices, and results-driven decision making in order to promote success for all students. As a classroom teacher, Title 1 teacher, academic interventionist, assistant principal, and principal, Ms. Williams-McKinney strives to create a nurturing and inspirational educational journey for the staff, students, and community she serves.

Location

Session Three

Strand #1

Heart: Social & Emotional Skills

Strand #2

Head: Academic Achievement & Leadership

Relevance

Fostering social and emotional skills and the social climate for all children.

This presentation will provide information regarding definitions, methods to measure progress, references for professional development and application of specific activities for children in the area of social emotional learning and student wellbeing. Additional topics to support social emotional learning will include collaborative practices and ways to level the playing field with equitable practices in order for all students to achieve academic success.

Brief Program Description

With the recent decline in child/adolescent mental health and the need to address inequities in education, this interactive presentation is designed for all people interested in the wellbeing of youth. Participants will explore school-wide initiatives to support social emotional learning, collaborative efforts of educational and mental health professionals, professional development opportunities, as well as, alignment of resources that foster welcoming and supportive environments.

Summary

Research shows that since the school closures created by the pandemic of 2020, educators have seen a significant decline in child and adolescent mental health and The American Academy of Pediatrics consider this a national emergency (Behave Res Ther. 2022 Oct; 157:104169. Published online 2022 Jul31.doi:10.1016/j.brat.2022.104169). Additionally, recent data from Indicators of Equity and Education Surveys (IEES) has revealed that students' physical, social, and emotional needs are not being met.

Through intentional practices that address belonging, opportunity and access, instructional excellence and engaging and inspiring learners, schools can meet the social emotional needs of students while also addressing the inequities in education to increase academic performance for all students.

The purpose of this interactive presentation is to provide participants with practical ways to cultivate a culture that recognizes, responds to, and fosters equitable practices that support the social emotional learning of students. Presenters will share classroom and community resources to support the creation of structures and alignment of resources that fosters a welcoming and supportive learning environment for all students.

This interactive presentation offers ideas for all people interested in the wellbeing of youth, including teachers, principals, assistant principals, school counselors, and psychologists, health and human service professionals, criminal justice professionals, business and community leaders, volunteer service providers, marriage and family therapists and social workers.

Evidence

Learning Objective 1

Examine recent data regarding the social emotional wellbeing of students

Learning Objective 2

identify ways educational stakeholders collaborate to address students' social emotional needs through equitable practices

Learning Objective 3

Discuss how schoo-wide initiatives and alignment of professional learning provide staff professional growth opportunities to support SEL and Explore equitable practices to support a culture that values belonging, opportunity and access, instructional excellence, as well as, engaged and inspired learners

Keyword Descriptors

Classroom community, Collaborative Practices, Educational Equity, Equitable Practices, Professional Development, Social Emotional Learning, Student Services Team, Student Wellbeing, Suportive and Welcoming Environment

Presentation Year

2024

Start Date

3-4-2024 2:15 PM

End Date

3-4-2024 2:45 PM

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Mar 4th, 2:15 PM Mar 4th, 2:45 PM

Addressing Social Emotional Needs of Students through Equitable Practices to Foster Welcoming & Supportive Learning Environments

Session Three

With the recent decline in child/adolescent mental health and the need to address inequities in education, this interactive presentation is designed for all people interested in the wellbeing of youth. Participants will explore school-wide initiatives to support social emotional learning, collaborative efforts of educational and mental health professionals, professional development opportunities, as well as, alignment of resources that foster welcoming and supportive environments.