Integrating Social and Emotional Learning across a School District

Brian Gatens, EdD, superintendent of the Emerson Schools District and serving on the Emerson Board of Education since 2013. He has also served in school leadership (superintendent or principal) in the Norwood, Harrington Park, and Hawthorne Public Schools Systems.

A complete education must address the whole child, including the ethical, social-emotional, imaginative, and intellectual capacities of children. With chapters from experienced teachers and school and district leaders, this text provides a wealth of practical strategies and inspirational guidance on incorporating social-emotional and ethical learning across a district and educational community.

• Series Preface: Dominic P. ScibiliaForeword: Raymond KiemIntroduction: Brian Gatens and Dominic ScibiliaSection I: The District Vision and Administrative PraxisChapter 1: The social emotional life of a school systemThe district superintendent as mentorBrian P. Gatens, EdDChapter 2: Social-Emotional JourneyThe Life and Practice of the TeacherAlice OppermanSection II: The Memorial School (K-3)Chapter 3: Journey to Support the Whole Individual ChildKristin Gagliano, PrincipalChapter 4: Learning to Write Realistic FictionSelf-Awareness and the Beginning of Moral MindfulnessNicole Masucci, Teacher - First GradeSection III: The Villano School (Grades 4-6)Chapter 5: Making SEL a Way of BeingJessica Espinoza, PrincipalChapter 6: The Three Dimensions of Social Emotional Learning in Schoolfrom the Lens of the School Social WorkerDevan ChiusanoSection IV: The Junior - Senior High (Grades 7-12)Chapter 7: Using Socratic Seminar to Engage Students in Social-Emotional Learning Jennifer Norato and Jessica Polizzi, Social Studies TeachersEpilogue: Dominic P. ScibiliaAbout the Authors