LM Feb.2019

Supporting theWholeChildby FocusingonPositivePsychology

By Andy DuRoss Superintendent, Schaumburg CCSD #54

Recently, Schaumburg CCSD #54 has built upon its SEL work and modified its long-standing focus on student well-being by utilizing the relatively new field of positive psychology to enhance its supports for all district stakeholders. Our goals were to: • Improve staff and student well-being. • Create an optimistic, mentally fit and healthy learning community. • Deepen student, family and school community connections. We have observed for many years that highly positive teachers and school cultures significantly support student success, but we lacked a consistent framework or practical methodology to accomplish our goals until we pursued a deep understanding of the field of positive psychology— defined as the scientific study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive.

As a society we must focus our efforts around supporting the whole child and ensuring consistent supports are in place for ALL children. In the educational field we work to recognize the challenges our students encounter so we can best support them. In fact, our greatest charge as educators is to know each child by name and need. We then work tirelessly to help them learn at high levels and to develop supports that ensure our students have the social-emotional skills they will need to be successful in life. Social Emotional Learning (SEL), which has received increased attention in recent years, helps students manage their emotions, create and maintain more positive relationships with others, make more responsible decisions and become more productive citizens in an extremely complex world. Arguably, SEL work has never been more important for students.

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