In episode 1 we talked about the Social Emotional Crisis that was building pre-CoVid, and was amplified during CoVid. This crisis is impacting academics, but looking deeper, it is causing many teachers to feel defeated. If teachers are feeling hopeless, their students will feel hopeless. How can we learn or take in academic knowledge if we are in a state of trauma or hopelessness? SEL (social emotional learning) has been identified as a crucial component for repairing public education. There are many SEL curriculums out there. But should SEL be a "curriculum?" Or a way of being that is seamlessly woven into education throughout the day? Episode 2 explores an SEL program called Breathe for Change, and its impact on teachers and students. Ultimately, this program is leading to academic gains that reinforce just how vital social emotional skills are in the learning process.

Courtney Ham, elementary special education teacher, and Dr. Ilana Nankin, founder and CEO of Breathe for Change, join us to share their experiences and insights!