The concern is less about how this teacher shortage will be met and how we want to deal with it and more about- does it even exist, or is it an inflated matter?

There are two stories. On the one hand, teacher shortage is seeing soaring attention, and on the other hand, there are talks about throwing off these claims. Whom do we believe? The data or the teachers?

Long story short, the teachers feel dejected, drained, and disrespected.

Data tells that pandemic has given them a hard time to teachers and they feel burned out. This feeling is exacerbated by lesser salaries. And to top it all, these came with the politicization of the profession. Teachers feel powerless over what and how they can teach. They cannot exercise self-discretion on teaching topics around sex education or SEL.

What is Happening?

A survey tells us that the job satisfaction of teachers in 2022 is 16 percentage points less than what it was in 2021. It also speaks about how more than 70 percent of educators are unhappy with their current working conditions.

Source:2022, Educator Shortage Research, by Emma White Research for MEA

Many educators are not willing to continue to work in the same job since schools have reopened. The pandemic has given big jolts to many of them, such as having to work harder through online classes, lesser pay, sickness, mental health concerns, and so on.

Governments in different states are taking measures to manage this shortage. For example, in Florida, the Education Department allowed military veterans and their spouses to teach in schools even if they lack a degree.

The Arizona Government has asked college students to fill in as teachers in schools in response to dealing with teacher shortages in their schools.

Is There a Real Shortage?

Although there is a large hue and cry about teacher shortage, there is no definite national data that says so. There are reports by independent research organizations or state data but nothing in national entirety.

RAND Corporation’s report tells a different story. They say that there is no shortage. In fact, more than half of the districts have expanded their teaching and non-teaching positions to numbers that are higher than the pre-pandemic ones. The demand for substitute teachers is high, and on average, districts have increased the daily pay of a substitute teacher by 6 percent. All this comes in light of the federal stimulus to the schools.

Source: 2022, Educator Shortage Research, by Emma White Research for MEA

The US Education Department discovered national data from 800 schools and concluded that on average, one school had 3 unfilled teachers’ positions. They believe that the shortage is not because of teachers leaving or planning to leave. It seems exacerbated because hiring is a little slow. Some researchers say that the word ‘shortage’ is also a misnomer as the quitting rate is not higher than what it was in previous years.

Addressing Teachers’ Issues

The shortage is not uniform in its sense. There is a shortage but it is in specific areas, such as teachers of special education. Teachers are burned-out and it is real. It is true that doctors were encouraged and applauded during the pandemic for their long hours and dog-tiring service at the hospitals, but we certainly cannot say that our teachers haven’t done enough.

The research results by Gallup Panel Workforce Study, 2022 tell that workers in K-12 feel more burned-out compared to workers in other professions. In the K-12 workforce, the teachers were found to be the most fatigued.

Tell that workers in K-12 feel more burned-out compared to workers in other professions

There are mental health challenges for teachers in schools as well. They have to finish the curriculum in time, cannot teach certain subjects, and lack the power to introduce changes to curriculums.

The above illustration shows that 44% of K-12 workers feel burned out, in far contrast to 30% of workers in other jobs.

All this burnout and then the profession is also low paid. It is affecting their lifestyles. Educators who teach for the love of education and because they have a passion for teaching are leaving or at least planning to leave because of the disrespectful conditions around their work environment and less pay which does not correspond to their hard work and living expenses.

Parents are taking their kids out of school and planning to homeschool them. This came into the picture due to the concerns raised over the school curriculum. Parents see the curriculum as political and going against their cultural basics and history.

The White House

Recently, the US government held a meeting to discuss the challenges faced by the K-12 workers. The first lady is an educator and was a part of the panel that was discussing the issues around teachers. Well, it is a good start.

The Biden administration has encouraged schools to use funds from the American Rescue Plan to give higher compensation to the teachers and welcomed platforms that can help in hiring school staff, including nurses and social workers. The government has given more stimulus to hiring and increasing the pay of the teachers.

The government is seeking support from private recruiting platforms like Handshake and Indeed to fill these positions for the schools’ staff.

We hope this works and brings some positivity to the school education system and the teachers. The education system is still dealing with the challenges thrown by the pandemic, and just like all times, this too shall pass. The government, the schools, and district leaders can work in tandem to mend what is broken in the best interests of the children and society as a whole.

The post Things That We Should Know About the Teacher Shortage in America appeared first on Test.Evelyn.

Children spend most of their time in school, where they expect to learn everything. Therefore, schools hold the responsibility for a child’s holistic development.

Frederick Douglas enlightened us with the thought that it was easier to build strong children than it was to repair broken men. Well, the time is now!

The rising mental health issues of children and violence in schools testify that we should wait no more and go full force in taking steps to nurture a child’s social and emotional well-being.

So, can a proper SEL curriculum be the answer?

What is SEL?

Social Emotional Learning is a soft-skill development. It is based on the idea that students’ EQ is as important as their IQ.

In other words, SEL helps students to manage their emotions and make calculated decisions. It is a session-based or activity-based learning where students learn how to become better social beings and handle emotions.

How does SEL work?

Interactive CASEL Wheel

SEL aims to impart critical skills to students to make them better managers of their emotions and better social beings. According to CASEL, these skills include:

• Awareness about the self includes understanding one’s own emotions, strengths, and weaknesses.
• Social awareness encapsulates the thought of understanding others.
• Self-management includes how to tackle emotions and not let them take control of you.
• Relationship management includes developing relationships with others with better communication and cooperation skills.
• Responsible decision-making helps us learn what consequences can arise from our actions.

Why are we talking about SEL?

Many educationists feel that schools should make it a priority to impart SEL. This comes in the wake of increased incidences of gun violence in schools. Also, these incidences are backed by the theories that the children involved in the violence bear unhealthy mental states.

And it is not only that. The unprecedented pandemic left students to the boundaries of their homes, affecting their routine activities and studying patterns. This eventually caused an increase in anxiety issues, feelings of loneliness, loss of self-confidence, etc.

A research study by Rand Corporation revealed that the use of SEL programs became more widely in school organizations after the reopening of schools post Covid closures.

A 2021 study by McGraw Hill revealed that educators (84%) and parents (62%) hold a common view that students’ SEL can help them deal with the emotional distress exacerbated by Covid-19.

The inability of students to handle their overwhelming emotions and subsequently making inappropriate decisions at that time, call for the urgent need of SEL programs.

McGraw Hill Study, 2021

Is a good SEL curriculum the answer?

SEL, in essence, is not a panacea for all societal problems and we should not market it as one. It is like a technology that is much in hype today, but it should not fade like a fad. SEL is like a moral education that is as good as teaching good manners in schools, such as sharing with others or helping others.

Additionally, teachers who have taught SEL in classrooms have indicated positive changes in student development.

Observations explain that SEL lessons have significantly helped students to express themselves, feel good about their being, learn to accept others, and not indulge in bullying.

It is not just the educators. The students also think that a good SEL curriculum and a well-integrated SEL program can carve mentally and socially healthy children.

So far, one can say that a majority of schools have implemented SEL programs in the US.

93% of teachers believe SEL needs a significant focus in schools. Additionally, a few others feel that the government should mandate it too. This can help SEL to make a stronger impact and get the attention it deserves.

Benefits and Student Outcomes

But if most educators adopt SEL programs, then why are instances like that of gun violence, not nearing sunset?

Kevin Liou, an educational consultant, tutor, and owner at DiOrcus Designs LLC, explains why he believes SEL is not the answer.

“Emotional outbursts are far from the state of deprivation and mindset of a gun-shooter/violence perpetrator. They have gone “beyond”, to speak, the mere “emotional outburst” part of their expression. It is a denial of self, a rejection of the ability to express themselves, a denial of the ability even to feed themselves at times. Hence, it is a systemic issue with sociopolitical and heavy economic ties.”

“I don’t think it (SEL) holds priority in the US.”, one educator mentions.

“I don’t believe we (teachers) have enough time to teach SEL effectively and still teach our regular curriculum. There needs to be allotted time in the day; just like there is time in the schedule for math and reading.”.

Curriculum developer Catherine H further notes,

“Most schools have guidance counselors who are responsible for the majority of the SEL but they are also overwhelmed. In elementary school, we have one counselor for 500 students, so it’s impossible for them to get into every classroom.”

Why is there a case against SEL curriculum?

CASEL has been a lead organization that has promoted SEL in American society. No wonder SEL has its own critics parade where they drop the concept and the SEL intentions into a box of doubts.

A school of thought believes that SEL intends to take education away from the American culture and tries to connect it with spirituality, which is not what schools are for.

They believe that the idea of instilling SEL in schools can be dangerous. Afterall, a conservative mindset would not be comfortable when a teacher would tell their children that it is okay to come out of the closet and accept their sexuality as other than what it looks like from the outside, especially in a school.

Some parents are worried that under the veil of SEL, their children are being taught sex education and critical race theory.

Some SEL critics point out that SEL encourages an ‘activist’ mindset, and the curricula are far from managing the child’s emotions.

It would not be a misstatement that SEL has its critics, given the space for ambiguity in this concept. Those who do not understand the idea will doubt it as it is their child’s learning in question.

The confusion persists, and although SEL has a widespread adaption, there are still concerns about its curriculum design.

Trying to Make Things Work

Going by the definition and understanding of what SEL is and what it aims to achieve, it is a saint but not a magic pill. SEL curriculum is not uniform or verified, there is effective plan to teach it.

Parents are not entirely informed about what their children are learning and why they are learning it, which is why the scope of ambiguity increases and there are parental concerns about SEL teaching.

With the help of philanthropist organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Harvard Education is trying to develop an SEL platform. The platform can help identify a framework that can enable defining and practicing SEL.

To make SEL a success, the complete participation of parents, teachers, and students is needed. Teachers should not only be educated but also trained about SEL and how it can be instilled in a child.

The curriculum should be uniform, government-verified, and promoted. As students spend most of their time in schools, making SEL a part of the curriculum can help them raise their emotional quotient, garner empathy training, and become kinder citizens.

The post If SEL in Schools is a Product, Then it Needs a Technology and Marketing Upgrade. appeared first on Test.Evelyn.

Social emotional learning provides a foundation for good, long-term benefits on kids, adults, and communities by teaching effective problem-solving, self-discipline, impulse control, emotion regulation, and more. This is significant since people do not come into this world knowing how to regulate their emotions, solve problems, or interact with others. Pupils must acquire these talents, and schools can assist them in doing so. It is also worth noting that some pupils may require individualized support in order to properly benefit from social emotional learning.

What is Social Emotional Learning? 

Social emotional learning (SEL) is a teaching strategy that teaches students of all ages how to better understand their emotions, feel them fully, and show empathy for others. These taught behaviors are then used to assist students in making positive, responsible decisions, establishing frameworks for achieving their objectives, and forming positive relationships with others.

Creating learning environments that create healthy interactions between students and teachers leads to enhanced communication skills, motivation, and exam results. SEL, on the other hand, is not just vital in the classroom. It is a lifelong practice that extends into adulthood. Effective collaboration and communication need the development of SEL skills and abilities.

Components of Social Emotional Learning

Social emotional learning involves five core components that can be applied in the classroom, at home, and in students’ communities, according to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL). It is an organization dedicated to students and educators to help achieve positive outcomes for PreK-12 students. These are the five core competencies:

1. Self-Awareness
   Students learn to recognize their own strengths and limitations, as well as the impact of their actions on others. Coaching and simulation sessions are an example of this in practice, where students notice how various acts influence others so that they can learn how to perceive their own feelings as well as what other people are feeling.
2. Self-Management
   Students learn to control their emotions and actions, which includes stress and time management, motivation, and academic/personal goal setting, all of which are critical skills for youngsters as they grow and need to manage their own schedules and businesses. Older, more experienced students can teach kids about these types of actions.By pairing students in a mentor-mentee relationship, the mentee will learn about vital academic skills as well as how to improve self-esteem and confidence, while the mentor will offer skills learned from experience. This will help the mentee navigate common challenges like imposter syndrome and insecurity.
3. Social Awareness
   Students learn to detect other people’s emotions, grasp social behavioral norms, and empathize with people from various origins and cultures. Introduction and inclusion exercises, in which participants share their favorite interests, fascinating facts about themselves, and so on, are an example of an activity that strengthens this skill.
4. Relationship Skills
   Students learn how to build healthy relationships and communicate clearly with one another and in groups. Participating in a range of activities, such as team sports, games, and group projects, can help them practice this. Active listening, team building, and conflict resolution are all abilities that are useful both inside and beyond the classroom.
5. Responsible Decision-Making
   When it comes to behavior and speech, students learn how to make their own autonomous decisions, whether personal or academic. Students will be able to make polite and well-thought-out judgments by considering societal norms and differences, potential consequences, and safety issues. Students can solve qualitative problems in a number of ways to learn diverse strategies and ways of thinking. This is one way to actively practice responsible decision-making.

Social Emotional Learning Activities

Many schools have begun to teach students how to deal with emotions, make objectives, and get along with others. Parents can also assist their youngster practice these abilities at home. 

Here are a few socio-emotional learning activities to assist children regulate emotions and improve social skills while also having fun. These low-tech social-emotional learning activities are really effective. And they are all made to fit into one’s regular routine.

1. Starfish and Tornadoes
   

   The idea is to teach kids how to recognize how much energy they have inside. When they realize they have too much energy, they can either apply self-calming techniques or seek help from a trustworthy adult.
   
   Playing Instructions: Draw a thermometer on a piece of paper. At the bottom, draw a starfish, and at the top, draw a tornado. Inquire whether the youngster is quiet and tranquil, like a starfish, or frantic and agitated, like a tornado. When a youngster is very energetic, mentors can discuss with him or her ways to make him or her feel more like a starfish. For instance, bouncing a ball can assist in the release of some of that energy.

   Mentors can help the mentee define their energy levels by playing this game at different times of the day.

   Points to remember: Self-awareness can aid in the development of a skill called self-regulation in children. It is all about managing one’s own energy when it comes to self-regulation. It aids children in controlling their emotions and body movements in stressful situations. Moreover, it aids their ability to pay attention and learn.

2. Turtle Time
   

   The idea is to assist children in developing their ability to see what is happening around them. Picking up on social signs allows children to get their needs satisfied while also understanding the viewpoints of others.

   Playing Instructions: When the mentor and mentee arrive at the playground or other location, they must look around slowly and exaggeratedly like a turtle. They should take turns describing what they see: “All the swings have been taken.” “For the slide, there is a short line.”
   The mentor must assist the child in making the connection between his or her observations and the behavior choices he or she makes.

   Points to remember: Mentors are not required to dress up as turtles. To aid their vision, they may use their pretend binoculars or a special pair of spectacles. A mentor could also participate in a game of “I spy with my little eye.” The mentor and the youngster can take turns observing and reporting social encounters until the other participant finds what they are looking for.

3. “Who am I right now?”
   

   The idea is to help the child develop self-awareness and identify his or her strengths. These abilities can also aid in decision-making and understanding others’ viewpoints.

   Playing instructions: The mentor can get some index cards and start playing. Draw drawings of the child doing something positive, such as being a good helper or a good teacher, with them. Consider what additional cards the youngster could create.

   Mentors can comment on their child’s positive behaviors to encourage them to come up with ideas: “You just offered to teach your sister a nursery rhyme.” Let us talk about what kind of person you are right now for a second.”

   Points to remember: Mentors must remember that many families attempt to teach social-emotional skills by criticizing undesirable behavior. But they must not forget to praise the youngster when he or she does something good. Praise for good behavior frequently leads to more of the same.

   Mentors can also purchase these cards or they can find templates online. Children, on the other hand, could enjoy crafting their own cards.

4. Let us Make a Deal
   

   The idea is to assist children in learning to compromise. Practicing how to perceive things from someone else’s point of view will assist the youngster consider the needs of others.

   Playing instructions: When the mentor and the youngster cannot agree, the mentor can sing these words to the tune of ‘This Old Man.’ “You want this. That is something I would want. How can we both get what we want?” Then come up with a few ideas and pick the best one for now.

   Points to remember: The child may have problems letting go of a notion. Mentors can combine their efforts to select the best of the runner-up ideas and place them in a unique container.

5. Take turns Taking Charge
   

   The idea is to aid in the development of self-awareness, decision-making, and seeing things from other people’s perspectives.

   Playing instructions: Mentors can start a custom where they and the child take turns preparing a fun night once a week. They might choose a topic, such as what meal to eat, what movie to watch, or what game to play. Alternatively, they can leave everything open and let the person in control choose.

   Points to remember: Making a chart with categories like “Waiting my turn” and “Staying cool when doing something I do not like” might be helpful. The mentor can have everyone rate themselves after the exercise. Then they discuss what has been working well and what they would like to improve.

The Importance of SEL

In today’s ever-diversifying world, the classroom is frequently the first location where children are exposed to people from a variety of backgrounds, hold differing ideas, and possess unique abilities. 

Social emotional learning aims to help students — both children and adults — better understand their thoughts and emotions, become more self-aware, and develop more empathy for others in their community and the world around them. Mentors must do this in order to account for these differences and help put all students on an equal footing to succeed.

Students can become better, more productive, self-conscious, and socially aware citizens outside the classroom if these attributes are developed in the classroom.

Image Sources: Daycare vector created by vectorjuice at Freepik

For more information on social emotional learning, visit our blog. 

Create. Engage. Inspire. 

The post What is SEL (Social Emotional Learning) and How Does it Help Students? appeared first on Test.Evelyn.