“Being intentional with this work (SEL) really means that we’re finding ways to weave it throughout our day. It shouldn’t be a set-aside, it shouldn’t be something we do once a week or that counselors or social workers come in and do, but really ‘How can I as an educator weave this into my academics?”

— Dr. Christy Berger, Director of Social Emotional and Behavioral Wellness, Indiana Department of Education

Welcome to the PBL Playbook, brought to you by Magnify Learning – where we put teachers back in their sweet spot. Make sure you follow us on Twitter: @magnifylearning, @askgiebs, @MissB103, #PBLPlaybook.

On this episode of the PBL Playbook, Josh and Andrea sit down with a few guests to discuss Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and what this looks like in building relationships and encouraging engagement in PBL. In the first interview, the hosts chat with Christy Berger, the Director of Social Emotional and Behavioral Wellness for the Indiana Department of Education. Christy discusses what exactly SEL is and why it is so essential in every classroom. Christy offers several strategies for teachers of all levels to intentionally incorporate SEL into their classrooms, and more of those strategies and tools can be found on the Indiana DOE website. That resource can be found on this episode’s webpage at MagnifyLearningIN.org.

The hosts next talk to Aimee Scott (@aimeemscott), the Youth Services Manager at the John Boner Neighborhood Center and Sara Payne, Director of Branding & PBL Facilitator at Magnify Learning. Aimee joins the PBL Playbook for a second time to dive back into the world of Afterschool programs, and the role that SEL plays in the Afterschool world. Sara adds some insight to incorporating SEL into the PBL classroom, and the ways in which SEL helps support students and also to build engagement within PBL.