The Intersection Between SEL, Mental Health, and Restorative Practices
Presenters:
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Angela Pastizzo, Director of Pupil Personnel Services, Berlin Central School District
- Amy Nikles (Donohue), Berlin Central School District MTSS Coordinator
Track:
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It’s All Connected: Academics, SEL, PBIS, and Mental Health
Tag/format:
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MTSS Fundamentals presentation, webinar format (50 mins)
Overview:
This session will focus on the intersection between SEL, Mental Health and Restorative Practices and, specifically, the intersection of Tier 1 strategies within these categories. This session will also explore how Tier 1 strategies can support academics, allowing students to be more present and increasing their ability to access the curriculum, by addressing the needs of the whole student (including their family and potential needs outside of the school environment). This session will help teachers and administrators see the value in building relationships with students first and foremost, and then determine how best to support them socially, emotionally, and academically across all settings. Finally, the session will also discuss the importance of considering a universal mental health screening tool for all students, as well as the implementation of a universal SEL curriculum (at all grades levels). Trauma-informed education is a huge piece of this as well, and there are many things schools can do (tier I – school wide, and even at Tiers II and III) to reduce behaviors and increase academic success, without needing to refer students to the CSE or 504 process.
Takeaways/Learning objectives:
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The importance of understanding how trauma affects the way that students learn and behave
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The value of a collaborative team approach in planning for the WHOLE student’s academic success and social, emotional and mental health
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The intersection of Tier I (school-wide) strategies within SEL, Restorative Practices and Mental Health used to support student success (increasing a sense of community and belonging – building a positive school culture with the hopes of increasing accountability and decreasing inappropriate behaviors).