Beginning the school year

Social Emotional Learning prioritizes the needs of the whole child, both curriculum and connection. The human being needs relationships to survive and thrive. How can the needs of safety, value, respect, and support be debated?

Our work in SEL values the neuroscience which teaches us that integrity, empathy, responsibility, and compassion are essential to be a healthy human being and community. 

The teacher student relationship has emphasized the dual task of teaching content and cultivating character since the beginning of human development. 

Social Emotional Learning embraces academic achievement as a component of social and emotional development. In integrating Social Emotional Learning with academic achievement we focus on building knowledgeable and responsible citizens. 

Families join with educators in knowing our children need to feel safe, values, and connected. Families want their children to be interested and engaged in their education. Social Emotional Learning is an integral part of building a classroom and school wide community. We establish norms of physical and emotional safety. We learn how to give and receive specific, descriptive, and observable feedback and we learn how to resolve conflict and forgive. 

It is essential that social emotional learning strive for trusting relationships between students, teachers, staff, administrators, and families. Social Emotional Learning is not only what we do, it is who we are. 

We are all in the hands of unconditional love

The past three years have tested our strength and our ability to bounce back. Our experiences of uncertainty, grief, and loss have taught us much.

Our lives have been shaken to the foundation. 

From these heartbreaking experiences comes, if we are fortunate, the experience of empathy and compassion. From our suffering, we feel a new wonder at the beauty of the world. 

We are all a part of this beautiful world and nothing is in our control. We can only respond with love and understanding. Knowing we are in the hands of unconditional love. 

Pure Love

Everything is different now that Ashley is gone. I look in her room every day, multiple times a day. I see the angels, I see the pinks and pastels, I see her pictures and find some comfort. I have lost unconditional love. 

I still talk to her as I visit all the places she loved. The gardens, the beach, the swamp, the museum. In each of these environments, there is something missing. Or is it? Just because I can’t see her doesn’t mean that she’s not here. I know she hears me. I often get subtle messages from her spirit.

She is part of the never ending universe. She is moonbeams, she is starlight, she is the gentle us, breeze, and she is even the downpour.

She is all life.

She is pure love.

Your gifts

71 years and the passing of unconditional love have taught me...the car doesn't matter, the degrees don't matter, the bank account doesn't matter, the applause doesn't matter.

What matters is faith, love, kindness, authenticity, vulnerability, empathy, compassion, and sharing your gifts.

Your gifts will not be found on your phone, your computer, your text messages, and never in your "likes." Your gifts are deep within you, in the very cells of your body, actually in your DNA.

You are a miracle. Cherish yourself and only surround yourself with people who really know who you are and cherish you as well.