SEL Professional Learning Network

LEA SEL Point of Contact

Please use the SEL Professional Learning Network POC update form to update your LEA Point of Contact.

Contact Information

Social Emotional Learning

Debra Parker
SEL Program Supervisor
360-972-4074

Emme Williamson
Administrative Assistant
360-725-6078

The Washington Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Professional Learning Network provides Washington state education professionals with SEL-related learning opportunities including webinars, peer-to-peer exchange series, individualized support, and more. We know that districts and ESDs around the state are focused on building the conditions, supports, and community partnerships that allow students to develop and apply social-emotional skills. The Network is geared towards district and ESD teams, however, it is open to all Washington practitioners.

Network members will:

  • Learn about new research, resources, and strategies that align with the guiding principles from the Washington SEL Implementation Guide;
  • Develop and refine SEL implementation plans;
  • Engage with content experts and peers to work through implementation challenges; and
  • Access individualized support including coaching.

Professional Learning Events

Peer-to-Peer Exchange

Virtual Exchange 3

Exploring the Roles of Belonging and SEL in Creating Inclusive Learning Environments for Students with Disabilities

During this session, local education agency (LEA) teams worked together to identify strategies for creating inclusive learning environments for students with disabilities. After exploring the ten dimensions of belonging together, teams openly discussed how building social emotional competencies and embedding SEL practices can support each dimension. Then, LEA teams collaboratively brainstormed strategies for how they can better support the dimensions of belonging and improve inclusivity for students with disabilities. Subject matter experts were present and helped guide discussions and support LEA teams in creating an action plan that focuses on strengthening an identified dimension of belonging for students with disabilities.

Virtual Exchange 2

Beyond SEL Time: Exploring Challenges and Successes with Integrating and Embedding SEL in the Learning Environment

During this event, LEA teams came together to explore practices for integrating and embedding SEL in the learning environment. By sharing challenges and brainstorming strategies to address those challenges, LEA teams will develop solutions that align with best practices while also strengthening professional relationships. This facilitated, 90-minute session included a subject matter expert who supported teams in creating an action plan.

Virtual Exchange 1

Exploring Challenges with Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Implementation: A Guided Peer Exchange Experience

LEA teams came together to share the challenges they face in implementing social emotional learning in their district. LEA teams had the opportunity to collaboratively brainstorm strategies and solutions as well as identify the next steps of implementation using the Washington State Social Emotional Learning Implementation Guide. This facilitated, 90-minute session included a subject matter expert who supported LEA teams in creating an action plan.

Webinars

Webinars on key priorities will be available not only to network members but any educational staff across the State of Washington.

Webinar 3 &4: Practical Strategies for Implementing SEL Standards, Benchmarks, and Indicators

The SEL Professional Learning Network hosted two webinars on practical teaching strategies for implementing SEL standards, benchmarks, and indicators. The webinars were similar in structure, with one geared toward the elementary level and the other focused on the secondary. During the sessions, participants reviewed the Washington SEL standards, benchmarks, and indicators. Then, they explored current, practical teaching strategies and practices to apply the SEL standards and support SEL implementation. Elementary and Secondary educators from Lake Washington School District, North Thurston Public Schools, and White Salmon School District shared content-specific SEL strategies that create and model student-centered learning. Throughout the webinar, participants were encouraged to share strategies they have found successful in integrating the SEL standards, benchmarks, and indicators in their classroom practices as well as how to support this work as teachers, school leaders, and district leaders. Participants left with actionable steps to solve challenges that educators and educational leaders face in integrating SEL into a learning environment and how to simultaneously teach SEL within academic instruction.

Webinar 2: Engaging Students, Families, & Communities in SEL

Attendees learned how to authentically engage students, families, and community partners in SEL. Participants explored best practices for authentic engagement in supporting SEL efforts and heard from a panel of experts. The panel discussion was followed by a Q&A segment where panelists answered questions from participants. Throughout the session, participants were encouraged to reflect on their own role in building a system of support for SEL engagement and consider the specific needs of their students, families, and community partners. Participants left with concrete strategies to meaningfully engage students, families, and community partners in supporting SEL efforts.

Event Panelists:

  • Trise Moore, President and Senior Consultant, The Family Outreach & Engagement Network
  • Erin Okuno, Director, Washington State Office of Education Ombuds
  • Sarah Pierce, Leader, Equitable Learning Environments, Education Northwest

Webinar 1: Exploring the Relationship Between Mental Health and SEL

This learning opportunity provided educators with information about the connection between mental health, behavioral health, and SEL. Participants identified how these differ as well as ways SEL can support mental and behavioral health. Participants reflected on their own stress and burnout and explored new resources. They also learned about strategies and resources available to support students facing mental health issues and how SEL can be leveraged to create supportive classroom environments that support student well-being. Participants left with clear action steps to support adult and student well-being.

Webinar Kick-Off: SEL Professional Learning Network Kick-Off Conference

Healing-Centered Equity Coach, Dr. Bre Haizlip shared how centering individual staff wellness can catalyze positive social change in education. The varying degrees of trauma, anxiety, stress, and social uncertainty have impacted educator wellness. Educators and leaders had the opportunity to process, reflect and reimagine individual identity, collective culture, and educational strategy. Participants learned the key concepts of SACRED education and the five dimensions of wellness education (i.e., adult SEL). They learned how to apply the principles of ongoing support for the social emotional development of students and themselves by using these restorative interpersonal practices. Dr. Bre shared key concepts of self-actualization, holistic humanization, spiritual citizenship of ethnic studies, and wellness education.

Peer-to-Peer Learning Series

Learning Series 2: SEL and Equitable, Trauma-Informed, Culturally Sustaining Practices

The second Peer-to-Peer Learning Series provided two 90-minute, group sessions for LEA teams to examine SEL within equitable, trauma-informed, culturally sustaining teaching practices. Native American content expert, Arlie Neskahi engaged participants in thoughtful vulnerabilities of historical traumas that Native Americans continue to endure today. Examples of indigenous ways of being were shared to provide educators a lens of how to better engage with Native communities, families, and students. Participants explored equitable practices to gain trust, build allyships, and recognize intergenerational trauma that many Native youth experience. LEA shared ideas on building connections and system improvements to meet the multicultural social emotional development needs of students they serve.

  1. In session one, LEA teams learned about and reflected on how their current SEL practices connect with culturally sustaining teaching approaches that are equitable and trauma-informed.

  2. In session two, LEA teams identified an area for improvement, collaboratively brainstormed strategies and solutions with their peers, and began to build an action plan to address their areas for improvement.

SEL and Equitable, Trauma-Informed & Culturally Sustaining Practices Learning Series 2 Part 1

SEL and Equitable, Trauma-Informed & Culturally Sustaining Practices Learning Series 2 Part 2

Learning Series 2 PowerPoint

Learning Series 2 Summary

Learning Series 1: Implementing SEL within a Multi-Tiered System of Support

This Peer-to-Peer Learning Series provided one-on-one coaching and group sessions for LEA teams to explore best practices for the integration of SEL and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS). Participants began the series with a one-on-one coaching sessions to discuss the LEA team’s unique needs. Following this session, LEA teams convened for two whole group sessions where they learned about and reflected on their current SEL and MTSS integration practices, identified areas for improvement, and collaboratively built an action plan. The series concluded with a final one-on-one coaching session where LEA teams refined their action plans for integrating SEL and MTSS.

Summary: Integrating SEL with MTSS

Integrating SEL and MTSS 508

  • One-on-one coaching
  • Integrating Social Emotional Learning with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Part I
  • Integrating Social Emotional Learning with Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Part II
  • One-on-one coaching
Demonstration Sites

In response to the need for practical examples of SEL Implementation, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) partnered with Education Northwest to recruit districts to act as demonstration sites to inform other districts of best practices, strategies and barriers of SEL Implementation using the Washington SEL Standards, Framework, and Guiding Principles. Over the course of nine months, collaborative efforts to include multiple perspectives, voices, and expertise, OSPI planned this work in three phases.

Phase 1: LEA Recruitment

Phase 2: Technical Assistance and Documentation

Phase 3: Product Dissemination

Through a vigorous process to ensure cultural integrity, respect, and trust, Education Northwest met with students, families, community members and educators to listen and learn how they are incorporating SEL in their districts. A series of four briefs based on the implementation efforts at five demonstration site districts. In addition to the introductory brief, there is one brief devoted to each of three guiding questions related to SEL Implementation at the district (local education agency) level:

How are local education agencies encouraging school leaders to prioritize SEL?

How are local education agencies supporting school leaders and staff members to implement SEL?

How are local education agencies engaging students, families, and community partners in SEL?

Thank you to the Cape Flattery School District, Franklin Pierce School District, Richland School District, Renton School District, and Steilacoom Historical School District students, families, community members, and educators for the time you invested in sharing your SEL Implementation stories.

Washington SEL Network Exchange

The SEL Network Exchange brought together educators from across Washington state to share valuable insights, exchange resources, and discuss future directions and sustainability of SEL implementation. The in-person event held at Highline Community College included activities and presentations by the American Institutes for Research (AIR), Education Northwest, SEL Advisory Committee members, Demonstration Site participants, Community partners, and OSPI staff. Participants engaged in numerous activities including a Peer Exchange session where they engaged in collaborative discussions with experts about SEL Implementation practices and challenges. The summary report includes additional information and the collection of resources shared during this successful event.

Needs Assessment

On June 14, 2022, OSPI conducted a data workshop to bring together community partners representing a variety of perspectives and roles to analyze the different data sources. As a collective, the workshop participants refined the data into key findings. Workshop participants also prioritized which key findings they feel are most important to consider when developing professional learning opportunities to support SEL implementation. These key findings will inform the Network activities.