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SEL Convergence
By Thom StecherEducation
SEL Convergence episodes
- 55: Self-Management - A Message from Thom
In this heartfelt message, Thom reflects on the journey from self-awareness to self-management—one of the five core social-emotional competencies. With wisdom and warmth, he shares personal stories of navigating fear, discipline, motivation, and goal setting. As a 74-year-old, Thom reminds us that growth never stops—and that managing our emotions, stress, and habits is a courageous, lifelong practice. This is a powerful reminder for educators and students alike that transformation starts with awareness, but continues through intentional, value-driven action.
11 min - 54: Leadership in These Turbulent Times
A timely and powerful reflection from Thom Stecher on leading with courage, compassion, and conviction in a divided world, reminding us that dignity is essential and unity is our path forward.
11 min - 53: Summer Reading for the Soul - Thom’s Top 5 Books
Thom shares five meaningful book recommendations to inspire self-reflection, healing, and human connection this summer – not just for teachers, but for everyone.
11 min - 52: Five Ways to Truly Reset This Summer
In this restorative episode, Thom Stecher offers five powerful reminders for educators to slow down, unplug, and embrace true self-care this summer.
6 min - 51: Staying Grounded in These Challenging Times
This episode is a gentle yet powerful invitation to reclaim your attention, show up with intention, and speak up for what matters most– even when it feels the most challenging.
8 min - 50: What is Essential in Education?
Thom Stecher reflects on what remains essential in education—building relationships, inspiring purpose, and serving the greater good—after more than 50 years of experience.
9 min - 49: Service is Healing
In this heartfelt episode, Thom Stecher shares a deeply personal story of injury, loss, and the unexpected healing power of service. Through reflection and lived experience, he reminds us that when our burdens feel heaviest, offering care to someone else may be the very thing that helps lighten our own.
10 min - 48: The Roots of SEL: Thom’s Version
Thom’s historical perspective on SEL. SEL has always been around; we’ve just called it something different.
24 min - 47: Diversity is Life
In this powerful episode, Thom Stecher draws on 51 years in education to unpack the growing discomfort around words like diversity, equity, and inclusion. With honesty and heart, he challenges the narrative and offers a grounding truth: diversity isn’t a debate—it’s a fact of life and an essential part of being human.
6 min - 46: Fostering Resilience and Building Assets in Our At-Risk Youth EDUC 532
Scott Heydt and Jessie McFarland join Thom to discuss their graduate course on resiliency and asset building for at-risk youth. EDUC 532 is a part of Neumann University's Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in Social Emotional Learning program.
More information can be found here.
This course is designed to move our students from risk to resiliency by identifying and fostering the developmental competencies needed for students to succeed. The course hinges on the belief that resilience is not something you do, but something you are and can become. To that end, the course is designed to guide educators through a paradigm shift, away from the Deficit Model and toward the Strengths/Asset Model. Drawing on research from Nan Henderson, Mike Milstein, Robert Brooks, and Bonnie Benard, the attributes seen in resilient students will be identified and specific strategies for fostering these traits in all students will be taught.18 min
About SEL Convergence
From the publisher's feed
Fireside chats about whole child (and adult) Social Emotional Learning.