Edutopia - April/May 2008 - (Page 46)

IN DEPTH Watch an interview with Roger Weissberg at www.edutopia.org/roger-weissberg-casel-video oRoger Weissberg Teaching from the heart and for the heart R oger Weissberg, a professor of psychology and education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, has been one of the country’s leading advocates of social and emotional learning (SEL) in childhood education for more than a decade. Now, as president of the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), he has seen educators embrace his ideas nationally and internationally. Weissberg’s books on the subject are widely acclaimed, and his organization leads a tremendously successful movement to give social and emotional learning an of⇒cial place in every classroom. “We talk about ⇒ve core competencies in social and emotional learning,” says Weissberg, “self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision making.” And these days, when he talks about those core competencies, the world of education is listening. When SEL is not emphasized, warns Weissberg, the price children, their parents, teachers, and society pay can be exorbitantly high. Indeed, when it is ignored, he explains, “at the most basic level, you have kids who don’t know how to express their emotions, recognize feelings in others, and interact effectively with others.” Possessing those competencies lays the foundation for success in kids’ interactions in school and throughout their lives. The positive effects of SEL, Weissberg says, have a huge impact on behavior in the classroom, feelings of connection and commitment to school, reduced misbehavior, reduced violent behavior, reduced drug use, and improved academic performance. By meeting the social and emotional needs of children, the adults in their universe also bene⇒t. “I think it heartens teachers who come to school each day,” Weissberg says. Now that the validity of SEL is being embraced, he adds, “parents recognize the importance of this work,” and principals and superintendents are more likely to champion it. Weissberg believes his mission also includes, as he puts it, “in⇓uencing public policy that gives a greater emphasis to educating the whole child,” and real progress is already being seen in that sphere. In Illinois, the state legislature approved a measure to make SEL competencies part of the state’s learning standards. In New York, which recently passed similar legislation, setting SEL guidelines will be the next step. “There are probably ten other states with an interest in learning more about the standards,” Weissberg says. And interest in SEL, he adds, is now international: “Singapore has established SEL standards, and a colleague just did a collaborative presentation with UNICEF to nine Asian countries and their ministries of education.” The business world also is paying increased attention to SEL, even if it’s given it a slightly different name. “Emotional intelligence caught on,” Weissberg explains, when Daniel Goleman wrote his book in 1995.” That book, Emotional Intelligence, generated worldwide interest in the subject and caught the attention of savvy business leaders who quickly saw the impact it could have on running a company. But his work, Weissberg underscores, is focused on children, schools, and families. “We’re interested in promoting improved day-to-day practice between kids and teachers, and teachers and parents,” he says. To do so, Weissberg adds, requires emphasizing “the research base for the work” and creating a policy and leadership environment that encourages it. “And those things are happening more and more.” 46 EDUTOPIA APRIL/MAY 2008 http://www.edutopia.org/roger-weissberg-casel-video

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Edutopia - April 2008

Edutopia - April 2008 Contents Up Front Feedback Dispatches Sage Advice Ask Ellen Head of the Class Cool Schools Design Reinventing the Big test The Daring Dozen Heart & Soul Pop Quiz: Jack Prelutsky

Edutopia - April 2008

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