5 Days of Powerful Talks

The theme for this year’s Instruction and Professional Development (IPD) Summer Institute strand is: Beyond Test Scores: Why Social Emotional Learning and Continuous Improvement Matter. The strand will offer a keynote speaker and teacher-led elective sessions for grades preK-12, highlighting the importance of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for students and educators.

Social Emotional Learning and continuous improvement are essential for our current educational context in California. In developing and implementing a new accountability system, we want to ensure that schools and districts are going beyond reviewing assessment scores and suspension rates. To authentically improve student success, we must also address the needs of the whole student and school climate. This includes SEL skillsets of students and teachers, along with conditions of learning. We are very excited about this year’s strand as we feel it is essential address the academic and social wellbeing of our students and classrooms.

Participants will experience meaningful and authentic sessions while obtaining practical examples for developing curriculum, instructional practices, and school and classroom environments that allow students to thrive and engage in their learning.  Sessions will also make connections to the LCFF Dashboard and LCAP in advocating for more holistic elements beyond test scores.

Our strand is multi-faceted and designed for classroom teachers, school site administrators, curriculum coordinators, district administrators and other educators. District level or school site teams are encouraged to attend. All participants will delve deeper into:

• Providing a social-emotional lens of classroom practice by integrating SEL into content areas (such as math, science, social studies, and literacy), Universal Design Learning practices, and classroom management strategies.

• Sharing Educator SEL skills for implementing the Common Core and NGSS State Standards.

• Encouraging the practice of educators intentionally, purposefully, and systematically listening and eliciting student viewpoints for improvement purposes.

• Addressing continuous improvement and policy considerations for teaching to the whole student.

All workshop electives are designed to be hands-on with ample opportunities for practicing what is learned while sharing experiences, insights, and resources. Sessions topics include:

mindfulness, growth mindset, visual literacy, Universal Design, restorative justice, culturally relevant pedagogy, trauma informed practices and much more.

Join us as we offer up-to-date information on social emotional teaching and learning. You can use LCFF funds or Title I, II and III categorical funds through School Site Council to register for this invaluable professional development opportunity.