Research-based professional development program strengthens educator soft skills and resilience to create a positive, supportive, and more equitable school climate for every child
SEATTLE – June 2, 2021, at 5:00 a.m. PT – Before the pandemic, teachers reported record stress levels and rates of leaving the profession were at an all-time high. After a tumultuous year of navigating remote learning and uncertainty, stress and burnout have spiked, pushing morale down even further and leading to a teacher shortage with real consequences.
However, research shows that when teachers are supported with social-emotional professional learning that addresses stress management and strengthens trust and relationships, they can create a foundation for resilience, are less likely to burn out, and are better able to reinforce social-emotional skills in their interactions with students throughout the year.
Committee for Children, a global nonprofit and market leader in research-based social-emotional learning (SEL) programs, today announced the release of Second Step® SEL for Adults, a new K–12 professional development program that supports educator well-being by providing school staff with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to thrive in the workplace.
“Educators are responsible for helping their students discover and grow their social-emotional competencies, yet few are offered professional learning to nurture their own social-emotional development and well-being,” says Committee for Children CEO Andrea Lovanhill. “That’s why we’re incredibly excited to offer our first SEL program designed specifically for adults. This digital program is based on the latest research in effective adult learning, and has been designed collaboratively by SEL experts and educators to be used by the entire staff to develop a socially and emotionally healthy school community.”
Second Step SEL for Adults is a web-based professional learning program designed by educators for educators. Unlike other professional development limited to one-off workshops or seminars, Second Step SEL for Adults is a highly focused, ongoing learning experience that includes all school staff and supports staff individually and collectively.
“Educator well-being is a critical issue, not just for education, but for our society,” says Dr. Tia Kim, VP of Education, Research, and Impact at Committee for Children. “I’m so proud of how we’ve been able to leverage the research evidence and honor the expertise of our educator partners to bring this program to life. I can’t think of anything more worthwhile to spend our time on, especially at this moment in history, than supporting the well-being of our educators.”
Visit secondstep.org/sel-for-adults to learn more about Second Step SEL for Adults and what’s included in the program.
About Committee for Children
Committee for Children is on a mission to ensure children everywhere can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. Best known for our innovative Second Step® social-emotional learning programs that blend research and rigor with intuitive design, we empower children and adults with skills that help them realize their goals in the classroom and throughout their lives. Since 1979, we’ve been connecting experts in the field to share experiences and advance the cause of educating the whole child. We also help pass policies and legislation that place importance on creating safe and supportive learning environments. By lifting up children today, we’re helping them create a safe and positive society for the future. Visit cfchildren.org to learn more.
About Second Step® Programs
Second Step programs are research-based, teacher-informed, and classroom-tested, and promote the social-emotional development, safety, and well-being of children from Early Learning through Grade 8. Our newest program, Second Step® SEL for Adults, addresses the social-emotional well-being of educators. The Second Step programs’ holistic approach supports creating a positive school climate, which can help build stronger, more resilient schools and communities. Second Step programs have earned accolades from the White House, the U.S. Department of Education, the Journal of the American Medical Association, the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), and other institutions. Today our programs reach more than 20.5 million children annually and are used in 34 percent of U.S. elementary schools. Visit SecondStep.org to learn more.
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