Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions (CASEL, 2020).

The SEL mission statement states "through the systemic framework of SEL, we will provide equitable and inclusive supports to stakeholders, that empowers them and influences their approaches in educational settings to create holistic outcomes and maintain healthy relationships".

The SEL vision statement reads "through the implementation of SEL's framework, we nurture safe, supportive, and equitable learning communities where staff are empowered to co-create thriving schools where identity, agency, and belonging are central to culture and climate".  

Social and Emotional Learning competencies help students and adults build community, relationships, and a sense of belonging.  Students explicitly learn the skills needed to help them thrive in school and life. These skills include understanding and managing oneself, developing problem-solving skills, and to effectively work with others.  This creates a positive culture and climate in the classroom and school.  Such environments have the potential to mitigate bullying and discipline concerns.  Creating a sense of belonging and an appreciation for collective well-being can support equity, advocacy and service-learning.   By working together, educators, students, families, and communities can build healthy learning environments and the productive future we all want for our children.