So often we focus on equipping students with knowledge and skills in subjects like math and language arts. Yet a critical part of educating students is the development of social emotional skills. As #SELday approaches, with the theme “Today’s Students, Tomorrow’s Leaders,” it’s the perfect time to think about how nurturing SEL skills makes it easier for students to become compassionate and effective leaders.
John Quincy Adams once said, “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” This quote captures the essence of ideal leadership—one that goes beyond authority and commands, and instead, emphasizes inspiration, empowerment, and impact.
As educators, we are gifted with the opportunity to create future leaders. Our classrooms are the grounds where seeds of leadership are planted, nurtured, and encouraged to flourish. But how do we grow this leadership potential? The answer is integrating Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into our educational framework.
SEL covers a range of skills essential for navigating life’s complexities with resilience and empathy. These skills include relationship building, responsible decision-making, social awareness, self-awareness, and self-management. When students have these competencies in place, they’re not just successful academically; they’re equipped to lead with understanding and purpose.
Here’s how we, as educators, can empower our students to become the leaders of tomorrow:
MODELing Social Emotional Skills: As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words. We must MODEL the SEL skills we want to instill in our students. Whether it’s demonstrating empathy in our interactions, practicing responsible decision-making, or showing resilience in the face of challenges, our behavior sets the standard for our students’ growth.
Providing Opportunities for Practice: We know that learning is a journey best experienced through hands-on exploration. By creating environments that foster collaboration, communication, and critical thinking, we offer students many opportunities to hone their SEL skills. Whether through group projects or role-playing scenarios, every learning activity becomes an opportunity to practice leadership skills.
Offering Feedback and Encouragement: Students experience significant growth when they are in an environment of feedback and encouragement. As educators, we must not only impart knowledge, but also see and nurture the potential within each student. Through our constructive feedback and celebrating growth, we show students that each and every one of them can be a leader and guide them in developing the skills needed.
In the heart of every educator is the belief that every student has the capacity to lead. By embracing the principles of SEL, we empower students to become visionary leaders that are compassionate and have the skills to circumvent challenges and adversity.
As #SELday approaches, let’s recommit to nurturing tomorrow’s leaders. Together, we can teach students the skills of true leadership and know that with this next generation of leaders, there is the promise of a better and brighter future for us all.
In the words of John Quincy Adams, let us be the leaders who inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.
Written by Sarah Fillion 2024
