In our world today, we understand the needs of the whole child include social-emotional learning, and we also know that technology is a ubiquitous, essential, and powerful part of education. So, we must ask ourselves this necessary question: How can SEL and edTech work together to benefit students?

In early October, I attended the inaugural CASEL SEL Exchange in Chicago. The conference included 1500 professionals from research, education, non-profit, publishing, policy, and funding backgrounds, all committed to the well-being of children. Given the fact that each participant has a different “why” for doing this work, each person brings a unique lens to our common experience. 

As I look at the landscape of education, particularly social-emotional learning, I agree with my colleagues David Griffith and Sean Slade from ASCD. We have made good progress with whole child education.  As Roger Weissberg of CASEL said, “In our country right now in education, we need to do a lot more ‘lumping’ and looking for the synergies.” So what’s next?

As educators and community leaders, our job is to make our schools safe places where everyone is seen, known, valued, and loved. We want our students and families to know they belong.

As leaders in our schools and communities, we must commit ourselves to speaking life to our students and our colleagues.

We must ask ourselves, “What story is the data telling us – about the student, the teacher, the school, the leadership?” We need a holistic approach that uses data to strengthen and support people.

When I first started college, I attended a small Catholic university downtown. One of my favorite classes was Multiculturalism. The professor introduced me to a new way of thinking: She encouraged the class to question what we saw on television, read in magazines, and heard on the news.

Play is a beautiful way to connect with others and practice social and emotional skills, behaviors, and competencies. Play provides a safe space — a microcosm of society — in which children learn to cooperate and compromise with one another. It’s also a whole lot of fun!