A Celebration of Craft

“Can we K.I.S.S.? Why are there so many separate missions and terms when it comes to behavior and soft skills?”

“Since the pandemic started, why has the national conversation been about what schools 'lack' and need to suddenly 'start' doing vs. seeing all that we already do and just building on it in ways that matter?”

Those are some of the questions that amazing teachers, instructional coaches, and other educators brought to school-wide conversations with their colleagues in many of the schools in our member districts this August.

When Harry Met Sally

My mom was teaching before Harry met Sally. When I tell her that my job is to help students be active listeners, persistent problem solvers, flexible and creative thinkers, people with goals and organizational skills, people who are able to put themselves in others’ shoes and be compassionate friends, people who know how to take care of themselves and when to ask for help — this is all familiar territory to her. It’s not new. She did it too, before Harry met Sally.

She fostered these qualities, these competencies, these skills, by being an excellent role model of warm, respectful, and assertive behavior. By setting ground rules in her classroom and having a solid game plan for holding students accountable. By reading stories and texts and using these as opportunities to open students’ eyes and have authentic conversations about values, decisions, etc. By coaching students and helping them to bring their best selves to every moment. She did all these wonderful things, and more, that we would now call “Social Emotional Learning (SEL).”

Craft, Not Lack

I’m almost certain that SEL is more than you think it is. SEL is every single thing we do, big and small, that supports Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision Making — for kiddos and for adults. We’ve always had clear goal posts and common language for academic learning — fluency, comprehension, etc. — and really what SEL gives us is that same common language and understanding of what the goal posts are for behavior and soft skills.

It points us in the same consistent direction, and from there it’s easier to break down the artificial, fuzzy lines that separate things like “PBIS,” “restorative practices,” school culture and climate, classroom management, etc. It’s easier to see the brilliance of the collective craft that’s already there. The brilliance of all the small moments and rituals in schools that we know are so valuable. The Turkey Bingos, the thank you cards, the intentional reflection questions, the warm greetings, the brain breaks, the choices built into lessons, the projects, the group work, the chats about the latest Marvel movie, the PLC norms, the stopping by your teacher bestie's room to ask, "How are you, really?" — and so much more. 

We don’t lack, we don’t let anyone down, and we don't need to reinvent the wheel. We have a beautiful craft that we’re refining — together, thoughtfully, with intention.

It all matters. It has value. It is seen. It's what we build on. It’s SEL.


With gratitude,

Nic van Oss (SEL Services Coordinator, supporting Tier 1 & Tier 2)
on behalf of our SEL team, including Angela Christenson and Kevin Krzenski (Social Behavior Services Coordinators, supporting Tier 3 & Special Education)

P.S. If you’d like a small “SEL is more” poster, follow the link to check it out!

 

28th Annual Legislative Forum

Thank you to the legislators, principals, superintendents, school board members, and all of the educators and community members who attended our 28th Annual Legislative Forum on December 14th! We celebrated the amazing work of our districts and also discussed the challenges they are facing, including staffing shortages and community broadband access.

We also presented awards to incredible ambassadors, advocates, and innovators in our communities!:

• Colton Anderson, Chisago County Public Health
• Samantha Lo, Pine County Public Health
• Mary Ellen Von Rueden, Hinckley-Finlayson & SCRED Board Member
• Jeannette Kester, East Central Board Member
• Congressman Pete Stauber
• North Branch City Council
• Marc Johnson, ECMECC
• Senator Mark Koran

A special thank you to those legislators who participated in the event: Representative Brian Johnson, Representative Nathan Nelson, Representative Jim Davnie, Senator Mark Koran, Senator Roger Chamberlain, Jack Friebe on behalf of U.S. Congressman Pete Stauber, and Josh Ortiz on behalf of U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar. Thank you to Brad Lundell, Executive Director of Schools for Equity in Education (SEE), for speaking and for moderating our panel! Thank you to The Spare Room at Chucker's Bowl & Lounge in Rush City for hosting this event!

What is a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)?

The principles of data-based decision making, problem-solving, and response to intervention/instruction have evolved over the past two decades into what is now commonly referred to as a multi-tiered system of supports, or MTSS.

At the most basic level and simply stated, MTSS is, "a systemic, continuous improvement framework in which data-based problem solving and decision-making is practiced across all levels of the educational system for supporting all students" (Colorado Department of Education). Although this definition appears simple and straightforward, the words contained within it were carefully chosen to convey important messages and distinctions.

• A data-based decision-making process is practiced across all levels of the educational system. This means that within an MTSS framework, data is used to make decisions at the district, building, grade, classroom, and individual student levels. Each level has a unique and important lens that is needed to engage in continuous improvement.
• The word system is intentionally singular, and meant to convey the design of one system that is inclusive of all students.
• The word supports is intentionally plural, and meant to convey that multiple supports will be needed for the adults within the system as well as the students within the system.

Celebrating Inclusive Schools Week!!!

This month's Spotlight on Assistive Technology continues to try and break down instructional and accessibility barriers for students and teachers and looks at celebrating Inclusive Schools Week!

Inclusive Schools Week is celebrated annually the first week in December by families, schools, and organizations in the U.S. and abroad. The Week highlights and celebrates the progress that schools have made in implementing inclusive practices to ensure a quality education for an increasingly diverse student population. Learn more at inclusiveschools.org.

The Week provides an important opportunity for educators, students, and parents to discuss what else needs to be done in order to ensure that their schools continue to improve their ability to successfully educate all children. It is an occasion to acknowledge the hard work and commitment of teachers, administrators, students, and parents in making their schools more inclusive, and, thereby, significantly contributing to the development of a more inclusive society.

Inclusive Schools Week is celebrated by thousands of school districts in every state in the U.S. and internationally. In addition, more than 50 educational and cultural associations and media outlets support the Week. Inclusive Schools Week is organized by the Inclusive Schools Network at Stetson & Associates, Inc. 

Your SCRED Assistive Technology Committee:
We are committed to helping you consider appropriate assistive technology for your students. If you want to problem-solve ideas or need AT resources, reach out to a member of the AT Committee:

• Connie Sim: Low Incidence Services Coordinator - csim@scred.k12.mn.us
• Jennifer Lake: Secondary Literacy Services Coordinator - jlake@scred.k12.mn.us
• Robert Benner: Early Childhood Services Coordinator - rbenner@scred.k12.mn.us
• Angela Christenson: Social Behavior Services Coordinator - achristenson@scred.k12.mn.us
• Sheila Chinn: Occupational Therapist - smchinn@scred.k12.mn.us
• Jessica Szymanski: Teacher of the Blind and Visually Impaired - jszymanski@scred.k12.mn.us
• Adrianne Blazevic: Special Services Supervisor for Rush City Schools and Pine City Schools - ablazevic@scred.k12.mn.us

AT Networking Nights

Register on the SCRED website for our Assistive Technology Networking Nights in the school year course catalog! A great opportunity to research, examine or implement potential AT supports and prepare accessible materials for your students. This is a virtual asynchronous professional learning opportunity again this year. The Google Classroom link will be emailed to participants the morning of the session dates. You will have approximately one month to complete the activities you choose. A maximum of 4 hours will be compensated for each session.

Session dates are February 2, 2022 and April 7, 2022. Space is limited, so register soon! Link to SCRED Professional Learning Catalog.