SEL in EDU

What does it mean to truly prepare students for life?In episode 98 of SELinEDU, I sit down with Dr. De'Shawn Washington, 2024 Massachusetts Teacher of the Year and founder of Cultivating Changemakers, for a conversation that weaves together three things every student deserves: the ability to read, the knowledge to manage money, and the freedom to learn with joy.We dig into why over 60% of Massachusetts third graders are reading below grade level, why less than 10% of students are getting financial literacy education, and why neither of those things can be fixed without joy at the center of how we teach.Dr. Washington reminds us that joy is not a reward for academic success. It lives within us, and it is our job as educators to help students find it, name it, and keep it.This one is worth your full attention.Connect with Dr. Washington via his website and LinkedIn!

Leading a school shouldn’t feel like juggling flaming clipboards. Tammy Musiowsky and Christine Arnold join us to share how minimalist leadership turns a noisy school ecosystem into a coherent one by aligning purpose, editing systems, and removing friction that wastes energy and time. They unpack the Triple P (purpose, priorities, pare down) and the Five Rs (reimagine, remove, repurpose, reinvest, refine) to show how small, smart edits in communication, operations, and culture create outsized gains for teachers and students. We explore why interdependence matters: when leaders are stretched or unclear, stress cascades through the whole community. Tammy and Christine walk through concrete ways to “buy back” time by blocking deep work, backmapping deadlines, simplifying meetings, and building buffer zones so people can think. They make a powerful case that simplifying raises the level of thinking by freeing attention for strategy, feedback, and relationships. Along the way, we get candid about tradeoffs, boundaries, and the signals leaders send without realizing it. A head-up greeting, a cleaner email, and a tighter agenda can shift the emotional climate of a hallway, a team, and a school day. If you’re craving fewer initiatives and more impact, this conversation delivers practical edits you can make next week, plus a mindset that keeps them sticking. We share favorite chapters on time and well-being, talk through tool choices and timelines, and highlight how to reduce friction in your own role, even without a formal title. EPISODE RESOURCES:​Connect with Tammy and Christine via the Plan Z website, Tammy's Instagram, LinkedIn (Tammy), LinkedIn (Christine).Read their books:​The Minimalist Teacher​Your School Leadership Edit: A Minimalist Approach to Rethinking Your School Ecosystem

The first breath of the conversation is gratitude, and from there it builds into a grounded, courageous blueprint for how belonging becomes real. We sit down with Craig Aarons-Martin, CEO of CCM Education Group, to unpack the craft of creating brave spaces in schools and communities, not as a slogan, but as a daily practice shaped by rituals, reciprocal relationships, and stories that center joy without denying the weight of the moment.Craig shares how his morning rhythm shapes the way he leads culture, equity, and SEL work across classrooms and organizations. He names the mountain and the valley: the mountaintop for its vantage point, the valley for its lessons. That frame powers his new book on brave spaces for LGBTQ+ youth, including the breakthrough chapter on advocacy that documents resilience, tactics, and light. We explore what it means to give “a cup of courage,” how to tell stories that invite action, and why the most effective change starts with regulating our nervous systems so we can co-regulate with students.If you’re building cultures of belonging, leading SEL initiatives, or searching for practical ways to champion LGBTQ+ and Black boys’ brilliance, this conversation is your map and your spark. EPISODE RESOURCES:Connect with Craig via his LinkTree, Instagram, LinkedIn, and his website. Check out Craig's book and podcast:Black Boy Joy Blueprint Journal: A Guide to Identity, Dreams & LeadershipBrave Voices podcast

What if teacher mentoring focused less on checklists and more on students? Dr. Amanda Brueggeman revolutionizes the traditional approach to supporting new educators with her student-centered mentoring framework.Drawing from over 20 years of educational experience, Amanda reveals how transforming mentoring relationships from one-directional knowledge transfers into collaborative partnerships creates profound ripple effects throughout school communities. Her approach places student success at the core of professional learning conversations, building collective teacher efficacy, which research shows has one of the highest impacts on student achievement.The conversation challenges long-held assumptions about teacher development. Rather than positioning experienced teachers as perfect experts with nothing to learn, Amanda advocates for vulnerability and a growth mindset from both parties. This reciprocity not only honors the fresh perspectives new teachers bring but models the exact qualities we hope to develop in students.By structuring mentoring conversations around evidence of student learning rather than procedural compliance, teachers develop richer pedagogical understanding while naturally incorporating student voice into instructional decisions. Ready to reimagine how you support teachers in your school?EPISODE RESOURCES:Connect with Dr. Amanda Brueggeman via LinkedIn and her website.Read her articles:Student-Centered Mentoring: Keeping Students at the Heart of New Teachers’ Learning (Corwin, 2022).3 Key Areas to Monitor in Your New Teacher Induction Program Using Collaborative Strategies to Retain New Teachers AND Their Mentors Are We Asking the Right Questions? Reflecting with New Teachers

Join us for an enlightening conversation where Krista and Craig set the stage with heartfelt reflections on their lives before introducing their remarkable guest, Kevin Hopkins. Kevin, a family engagement professional dedicated to at-risk communities, shares his inspiring journey from East St. Louis. His upbringing, steeped in strong family bonds and community support, has deeply influenced his mission to connect educators, students, and their families. By emphasizing the pivotal role of home life in shaping a student's educational experience, Kevin's story reminds us that true Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) transcends classroom boundaries.Discover the power of parental involvement as we discuss Kevin's efforts to engage caregivers from preschool to 12th grade. Kevin walks us through creating and implementing programs to equip parents with the tools to support their children's learning and well-being. From workshops on financial planning and healthy living to the use of data for measuring the effectiveness of these initiatives, we explore strategies that make parent engagement more impactful. Kevin underscores the significance of a unified strategy in fostering educational success by shifting from localized preschool efforts to a district-wide approach.The episode explores practical methods for effective family-school communication and the distinction between mere attendance and genuine engagement. We highlight the importance of proactive relationship-building to foster trust and avoid re-traumatizing parents with past negative school experiences. Weekly virtual meetings and community workshops create a supportive environment for parents, teachers, and students. Tune in to hear about Kevin's efforts in promoting early childhood education, the value of virtual resources, and the joy of community engagement. It's a joy that we can all share in. EPISODE RESOURCES:Purchase Kevin's Book: Dakota Doesn't Have to Worry: A fully illustrated children's book

What happens when a chaotic mix-up with car keys leads to an unexpectedly hilarious adventure? Krista shares her comedic and stressful encounter with rental companies in our latest SEL in EDU episode. Meanwhile, Craig opens up about his emotional ups and downs, and his desperate need for a peaceful retreat. These personal moments set the scene for an insightful conversation with our guests, Stephanie Brown and Don Sturm, who enlighten us on the balance of emotional resilience in our roles as educators and caregivers.We delve into how technology shapes modern parenting, exploring how it can challenge and enrich family dynamics. Reflecting on our experiences, we touch on creating and maintaining boundaries, inspired by Jennifer Wallace's thought-provoking book Never Enough. The conversation extends to the inclusive nature of the term "caregivers," highlighting its importance in fostering a supportive environment for all children. Stephanie and Don add depth with their invaluable insights into fostering healthy relationships at home and in educational settings.From the joyful chaos of family bonding over cooking to the light-hearted musings about everyday choices like whether or not to wear stockings, we cover it all! Our discussion emphasizes the critical role of empathy, the value of laughter, and embracing imperfections. Join us for a heartfelt wrap-up as we encourage you to cherish your loved ones, model emotional resilience, and confidently continue your social-emotional learning journey. Whether you're a parent, educator, or caregiver, this episode offers something meaningful to take away.EPISODE RESOURCES:Connect with Stephanie and Don on Instagram.Listen to their CareU Podcast

Imagine the profound impact a single educator can have, not just on a classroom but on an entire community. De'Shawn Washington, fourth-grade inclusion teacher and Massachusetts Teacher of the Year for 2024, joins us to share his transformative educational philosophy integrating social and emotional learning with academic success. His approach has shaped students into compassionate change-makers, fostering a classroom environment where trust and accountability are as fundamental as the ABCs. De'Shawn's passion for empowering students resonates throughout our conversation as he reflects on the significance of his achievements and the inspiration he provides as the first black male to receive this prestigious honor in Massachusetts.Our discussion takes an inspiring turn, highlighting the indispensable role of black male educators in the Massachusetts educational system, representing less than 2% of the teacher population. De'Shawn sheds light on the notable increase in student performance when children are taught by black men, emphasizing their presence as essential at every level of education. De'Shawn illustrates how educators can cultivate culturally inclusive classrooms through heartfelt anecdotes about mentorship and community building. We also delve into his innovative classroom strategies, ranging from restorative practices to adopting an alligator as a class mascot, all aimed at enhancing the joy and connectedness among his students.To our listeners, we issue a rallying cry to champion educators like De'Shawn, who are at the vanguard of nurturing social and emotional growth. We remind you to kindle your commitment to education, and we eagerly anticipate the following conversation that promises to enlighten and inspire.EPISODE RESOURCES:Connect with De’Shawn via his website, LinkedIn, and YouTube.Check out these resources shared by De’Shawn:How Empowered Black Educators Feel Seen, Heard, and Valued in the Teacher Evaluation ProcessThe Inclusion of Race - A Holistic Examination: How an Absence of Race is an Absence of CultureDivision for Emotional and Behavioral Health newsletter