Shaped Blog

Educating the Whole Child: Building Teacher-Student Relationships That Last

To build positive teacher-student relationships in the classroom, focus on being personable, setting high expectations, and making learning fun.

Venola Mason
Associate Partner, ICLE and Author, Instructional Excellence, Social and Emotional Learning

September 20, 2019

The Social-Emotional Learning Need: How a Small District Made It a Reality

An assistant principal shares how her district implemented a new model that works best for them to support social-emotional learning.

Kelly Boeing
Assistant Principal, Lucerne Valley Middle High School

September 10, 2019

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SEL in Schools: Why Education Leaders Should Express Their Vulnerabilities

When prioritizing social-emotional learning in schools, allowing those you lead to see you as authentically human with deficiencies as well as strengths can be enlightening.

Anthony Colannino
Senior Fellow, the Center for Model Schools; Leading & Teaching for Growth, LLC; Author of Leading with Head and Heart

September 9, 2019

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5 Social-Emotional Learning Activities for Elementary School

Use these five social-emotional learning activities for elementary school students to work toward building strong relationships. Explore SEL lesson plans for each competency.

Sara Buren
Shaped Contributor

August 19, 2019

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9 Strategies for Improving Home-School Communication

Discover 9 strategies for enhancing home-school communication to foster student success. Learn to build supportive relationships.

Monica Mccutchen
Shaped Contributor

August 6, 2019

Facebook Live: Dr. Stephanie Jones on Social-Emotional Learning in Schools

A social-emotional learning expert explores effective methods to improve SEL in schools and the challenges educators may face in the process.

Joanna Miral
Shaped Staff

July 15, 2019

A Summer Checklist for Teachers: Take Time to Unwind

Close out the school year with reflection and a personal summer to-do list that will help you unwind and take time for professional learning.

Noelle Morris
Senior Director Community Engagement, HMH; Host of HMH Learning Moments: Teachers in America Podcast

July 10, 2019

Classcraft Why You Should Use Role-Playing in the Classroom

Why You Should Incorporate Role-Play as a Teacher

Learn more about incorporating role-play as a teacher, and explore the different benefits of role-play in the classroom.

Melissa Williams
Shaped Contributor

May 30, 2019

Learning Is Emotional: Why We Need to Maximize SEL in Our Schools

When it comes to social-emotional learning in schools, every $1 invested has an $11 return in long-term benefits.

Dr. Linda Lucey
Associate Partner, The Center for Model Schools

May 22, 2019

Q&A: Simon Sinek on School Improvement, Growth Mindset, and More

We spoke to author Simon Sinek, a featured speaker at this year's Model Schools Conference, whose new book, The Infinite Game, will be released in June 2019.

Shaped Staff

May 13, 2019

Why and How One District Prioritized Social-Emotional Learning

When we focus on the whole child, teachers have more time to support learning, and academic achievement increases.

Dina Rocheleau
Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, Ferndale Public Schools, Michigan

March 28, 2019

Healthy Habits for a Growth Mindset in Math

Here's a helpful list of healthy habits to enable a growth mindset in math, plus a free downloadable poster for your classroom.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

March 22, 2019

The Power of a Letter: How a Grading Change Inspired Growth Mindset

One school replaced the "F" grade with the "I" grade, standing for "incomplete" or "insufficient amount of evidence," which inspired a growth mindset culture.

Robert Bowman
Principal, Harrison Middle School

March 20, 2019