Social Emotional Learning as a Lever for High School Student Mental Health and Academic Success

Abstract

The following case study demonstrates how one high school Social Studies teacher embedded social emotional learning (SEL) into content and classroom management practices for eight years at a large urban school in the American Southwest. The collected data (e.g., teacher reflections, student reflections) provide a variety of viewpoints around how SEL influenced the teacher and student experience. Through collective analysis, this study's qualitative data contributes to new understanding of the importance of social, emotional, and academic development practices in high schools for students and teachers, especially around supporting classroom safety, mental health, and wellness.