# social emotional learning (blogs) — RSS Amplifier Recent posts from the 3 feeds in the RSS Amplifier directory that cover social emotional learning. Page: Feed: --- ## [How Empathy Interviews Transform Stakeholder Engagement into Shared Ownership](https://www.gettingsmart.com/2026/08/20/how-empathy-interviews-transform-stakeholder-engagement-into-shared-ownership/) _2026-08-20 · Guest Author · Getting Smart_ What if the most powerful tool in school improvement is a single, unhurried conversation? In this post, Jennifer Poon and Doannie Tran make the case for empathy interviews as the essential first step in genuine community co-creation, and explain why it matters deeply who conducts them. Drawing on their work with Burlington School District, they show how shifting the interviewer from consultant to… ## [Coming Full Circle: The Portrait Lives Through Students](https://www.gettingsmart.com/2026/08/17/coming-full-circle-the-portrait-lives-through-students/) _2026-08-17 · Abby Benedetto · Getting Smart_ The final installment in Norwalk's Portrait of a Graduate series asks the most important question of all: what do students say when you ask them to describe the Portrait? This post makes a compelling case that student co-design is not a nice-to-have but a core implementation lever, and it offers concrete strategies, from design sprints to feedback cycles to student-led reflection, for keeping… ## [Voiceless Collegiality: When Getting Along Gets in the Way of School Leadership](https://www.gettingsmart.com/2026/08/13/voiceless-collegiality-when-getting-along-gets-in-the-way-of-school-leadership/) _2026-08-13 · Guest Author · Getting Smart_ When a leadership team meeting ends with everyone offering to help but no one agreeing to lead, something important has gone wrong beneath the surface. In this sharp, diagnostic piece, education leadership professor Andy Szeto names a pattern hiding in plain sight: voiceless collegiality, the organizational silence that masquerades as team harmony. Szeto identifies three distinct types of silence… ## [Steward Stories: CommunityShare Proves That the Community Is the Curriculum](https://www.gettingsmart.com/2026/08/11/steward-stories-communityshare-proves-that-the-community-is-the-curriculum/) _2026-08-11 · Guest Author · Getting Smart_ What if every community member, from a landscape architect to a university researcher to a sitting senator, could become part of a student's education? CommunityShare has been quietly building that reality since 2015, connecting more than 85,000 students and their educators with community partners across 12 states through a model it calls a human library. This Steward Stories profile traces the… ## [Indelible Acts of Kindness](https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2026/08/09/indelible-moments-of-kindness/) _2026-08-09 · Jackie Gerstein, Ed.D. · User Generated Education_ Skinny and Fatty When I was a young kid about 8 years old, I remember watching a children’s short Japanese film called Skinny and Fatty. Here is a ChatGPT summary: The story follows Oyama (“Fatty”), a timid, wealthy transfer student struggling with shame and isolation, and Komatsu (“Skinny”), a lively, resilient boy from a poor \[…\] ## [Exploring Policy From the Ground Up: Illuminations from the Da Vinci Network](https://www.gettingsmart.com/2026/08/04/exploring-policy-from-the-ground-up-illuminations-from-the-da-vinci-network/) _2026-08-04 · Guest Author · Getting Smart_ What does it look like when a school is genuinely designed around the lives learners are living, not the regulations they must comply with? In this new piece from Sarah Bishop-Root and Lindsy Ogawa, the Da Vinci Schools network in California shows how policy can be a tool for possibility and a source of fragility at the same time. Through the story of Da Vinci RISE and its students, this piece… ## [The Microschool Mindset: Why Small Thinking Is the Biggest Shift in Education](https://www.gettingsmart.com/2026/08/03/the-microschool-mindset-why-small-thinking-is-the-biggest-shift-in-education/) _2026-08-03 · Guest Author · Getting Smart_ What if the most transformative idea in education right now has nothing to do with how big your school is? In this piece, George Philhower, superintendent at Eastern Hancock Schools and co-founder of the Indiana Microschool Collaborative, makes the case that the microschool mindset is a philosophy any school can adopt. From grading practices to flexible pathways to joy as a design principle, this… ## [Steward Stories: How the PAST Foundation Turned Real-World Problems Into a Learning Ecosystem](https://www.gettingsmart.com/2026/07/30/how-the-past-foundation-turned-real-world-problems-into-a-learning-ecosystem/) _2026-07-30 · Guest Author · Getting Smart_ What does it look like when a foundation built by a field scientist becomes the connective tissue of an entire regional learning ecosystem? The PAST Foundation's story, told through 25 years of timeline milestones and student voices, offers education leaders a concrete model for weaving together schools, industry, community, and out-of-school time into something greater than any single program.… ## [Beyond the Classroom Walls: What Research Says About Virtual Field Trips](https://www.gettingsmart.com/2026/07/28/beyond-the-classroom-walls-what-research-says-about-virtual-field-trips/) _2026-07-28 · Guest Author · Getting Smart_ Field trips have always been more than a day away from desks. They are the moments students remember, the experiences that build empathy and ignite curiosity. A new Getting Smart post examines what the research says about virtual field trips and offers a classroom-ready framework that helps educators design experiences worthy of that same legacy. For leaders looking to expand access and deepen… ## [How Student Feedback Shaped New Features for English Language Learners in Math](https://www.gettingsmart.com/2026/07/27/how-student-feedback-shaped-new-features-for-english-language-learners-in-math/) _2026-07-27 · Guest Author · Getting Smart_ What happens when you build EdTech features by actually listening to students? Kyron Learning partnered with the AIMS Collaboratory and the Gates Foundation to study motivation and engagement among English language learners in middle school math, and the findings drove real product changes. This piece traces how closed captioning, highlighted transcripts, and clickable definitions emerged from… ## [Meet Claude, the AI assistant (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/34YnPFRIwiAo) _2026-07-27 · **Sponsored**_ Conversational AI to answer questions, brainstorm ideas, and help with tasks. ## [Schools Are Testing the Past: How Assessment Must Evolve for Writing, Speaking, and Listening in the AI Age](https://www.gettingsmart.com/2026/07/24/schools-are-testing-the-past-how-assessment-must-evolve-for-writing-speaking-and-listening-in-the-ai-age/) _2026-07-24 · Eric Tucker · Getting Smart_ When a student completes a writing test in a locked browser, we learn what they can do alone. But the world asks something harder: can they use AI without being used by it? In this sharp and timely essay, Eric Tucker argues that assessment for writing, speaking, and listening has not kept pace with how communication actually works, and maps a practical path forward. Education leaders navigating AI… ## [Technology-Enhanced “About Me” Activities](https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2026/05/28/technology-enhanced-about-me-activities/) _2026-05-28 · Jackie Gerstein, Ed.D. · User Generated Education_ I like using technology in authentic ways . . . to connect students as opposed to separating them by having them work on individual on their own devices. Here are a few a plan to use/have used with my college students (they would also work with high schoolers). Why it connects them is that they \[…\] ## [What was THE BOOK for you?](https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2025/11/09/what-was-the-book-for-you/) _2025-11-09 · Jackie Gerstein, Ed.D. · User Generated Education_ That book for me was Kurt Vonnegut’s Cat’s Cradle. I picked it up as a high school freshman . . . don’t remember how, where, why I found it but I sure am thrilled I did. This was THE BOOK that was the first and major stepping stone towards my journey to become a READER \[…\] ## [Podcasting with Upper Elementary, High Ability Students](https://usergeneratededucation.wordpress.com/2025/10/29/podcasting-with-upper-elementary-high-ability-students/) _2025-10-29 · Jackie Gerstein, Ed.D. · User Generated Education_ By creating podcasts, students practice receptive and productive skills. They must listen to their work while editing, write and read their scripts to prepare for their production, and of course, speak to create their podcast. All four domains (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) are present. Students have the opportunity and freedom to express themselves, and \[…\] ## [Before Students Can Thrive, Adults Must Survive: Why SEL Must Start with Educators](https://teachergoals.com/before-students-can-thrive-adults-must-survive/) _2025-10-18 · Lana Penley · teachergoals.com_ Discover why adult wellness is the missing piece in schoolwide SEL efforts. This article explores how teacher well-being sets the emotional tone, shapes systemic change, and ensures social-emotional learning isn’t just “one more thing”—but the thing that makes thriving possible. The post Before Students Can Thrive, Adults Must Survive: Why SEL Must Start with Educators appeared first on… ## [Building School Culture from Day One](https://teachergoals.com/building-school-culture/) _2025-09-10 · Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket · teachergoals.com_ The first day of school sets the tone for your entire year. Learn how to build a strong, inclusive school culture from the start with tips from Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket. Empower your staff, build trust, and create a thriving school community. The post Building School Culture from Day One appeared first on teachergoals.com . ## [A Leader’s Guide to Setting Boundaries](https://teachergoals.com/a-leaders-guide-to-setting-boundaries/) _2025-09-10 · Dr. Rachel Edoho-Eket · teachergoals.com_ Discover how school leaders can establish healthy work-life boundaries, prevent burnout, and lead with clarity and presence. This guide offers practical strategies for setting limits and creating a culture of balance and well-being. The post A Leader’s Guide to Setting Boundaries appeared first on teachergoals.com . ## [TravelGoals: Indiana’s Eighth Wonder — West Baden Springs Hotel Revealed](https://teachergoals.com/travelgoals-west-baden-springs-hotel-indiana/) _2025-08-17 · Alaina Clark · teachergoals.com_ Discover West Baden Springs Hotel, Indiana’s “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Family-friendly history, luxury, and adventures await. The post TravelGoals: Indiana’s Eighth Wonder — West Baden Springs Hotel Revealed appeared first on teachergoals.com . ## [TravelGoals: Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari](https://teachergoals.com/travelgoals-holiday-world-santa-claus-indiana/) _2025-08-05 · Alaina Clark · teachergoals.com_ Plan the perfect family day at Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari! Rides, water slides, snack tips, and travel hacks from our Indiana Summer Explorers trip. The post TravelGoals: Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari appeared first on teachergoals.com . ## [TravelGoals: Blue Heron Family Cabins – Indiana’s Cozy Family Escape Near Holiday World](https://teachergoals.com/travelgoals-blue-heron-family-cabins/) _2025-07-20 · Alaina Clark · teachergoals.com_ Explore Indiana with the Summer Explorers Program. Blue Heron Family Cabins at Lincoln State Park is a cozy, family-friendly getaway just 5 minutes from Holiday World. Discover tips, tricks, and must-know details for your next Hoosier adventure. The post TravelGoals: Blue Heron Family Cabins – Indiana’s Cozy Family Escape Near Holiday World appeared first on teachergoals.com . ## [Home Internet From Space (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/tnMUJ9J6QRFq) _2025-07-20 · **Sponsored**_ Residential satellite internet that brings connectivity to homes beyond conventional networks ## [General Education First: Rethinking How We See Students with IEPs](https://teachergoals.com/general-education-first-rethinking-how-we-see-students-with-ieps/) _2025-05-29 · Rebekah Poe · teachergoals.com_ See the IEP as a blueprint for success, not a boundary. Discover three actions for gen-ed teachers. The post General Education First: Rethinking How We See Students with IEPs appeared first on teachergoals.com . ## [The Power of Peer Role Models – Inclusion Benefits Everyone](https://teachergoals.com/the-power-of-peer-role-models/) _2025-05-29 · Rebekah Poe · teachergoals.com_ Learn how peer role models enhance empathy, leadership, and academic achievement in inclusive classrooms. The post The Power of Peer Role Models – Inclusion Benefits Everyone appeared first on teachergoals.com . ## [“Special Education Isn’t About Lowering the Bar — It’s About Building a Ladder”](https://teachergoals.com/special-education-isnt-about-lowering-the-bar-its-about-building-a-ladder/) _2025-05-29 · Rebekah Poe · teachergoals.com_ Discover how “building a ladder” in special education boosts access and success with three practical classroom strategies. The post “Special Education Isn’t About Lowering the Bar — It’s About Building a Ladder” appeared first on teachergoals.com . ## [Choosing Inclusion: How the Words We Use Can Build (or Break) Belonging](https://teachergoals.com/choosing-inclusion/) _2025-04-28 · Rebekah Poe · teachergoals.com_ Build inclusive classrooms where every student feels valued and seen. Unlock the power of words to create a sense of belonging. The post Choosing Inclusion: How the Words We Use Can Build (or Break) Belonging appeared first on teachergoals.com .