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Unboxing Social and Emotional Learning
We are a group of friends, educators, and scholars (but hopefully not the gate-keeping kind) who use podcasting to speak critically, honestly, and open-mindedly about the excitements and concerns we have about social and emotional learning (SEL). What happens when sociality and emotionality, two things that have always been a part of learning, become seen as measurable in a world of marketized and self-managed education? How can we bust SEL out of any boxed-in definitions, and how might we unpack its complexity? Join us in asking questions without easy answers and taking the time to peel back layers of education that are often left undisturbed.
Contact us at: unboxingselpodcast@gmail.com
Unboxing Social and Emotional Learning
Interconnected: Bringing an Ecological Perspective to SEL - With Drs. Shannon Wanless and Renee Owen
In this episode of Unboxing SEL, Dr. Shannon Wanless and Dr. Renee Owen share insights from their article Evolving Transformative SEL with an Ecological Perspective. They trace their unique paths into SEL and explain why moving beyond individualistic approaches is essential for tackling inequity and climate injustice. Emphasizing interconnectedness, collective action, and care for the natural world, they highlight ways educators can weave this perspective into everyday practice without adding to their workload. It’s a warm, thought-provoking conversation that invites listeners to reimagine SEL as a shared journey toward personal, community, and environmental well-being.
Participants:
Jinan El Sabbagh, PhD, Oklahoma State University
Emma McMain, PhD, University of Arkansas
Tonje Molyneux, PhD, University of British Columbia
Renee Owen, EdD, Southern Oregon University
Shannon Wanless, PhD, University of PIttsburgh
Facilitator: Tonje Molyneux
Editor: Adam Engelbrecht
References and Resources:
- “Evolving Transformative Social and Emotional Learning with an Ecological Perspective” (Renee Owen, Meena Srinivasan, and Shannon Wanless): https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2773233925000506
- Oregon Department of Education SEL site (dispositions): https://www.oregon.gov/ode/educator-resources/standards/sel/pages/default.aspx
- Transformative Educational Leadership: https://www.teleadership.org/
- Lisa Miller and The Spiritual Child: https://www.lisamillerphd.com/
- Rainbow Community School: https://rainbowcommunityschool.org/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21848063262&gbraid=0AAAAADRjSUXbLK8qKqepoA3EwtRXtbaTO&gclid=Cj0KCQjwndHEBhDVARIsAGh0g3Aa6JtWceMlTCe0UYSR0NPooEmXoLcgLziV_QnBScv9WxyyCe1DKIEaAjMfEALw_wcB
- SEE curriculum: https://seelearning.emory.edu/
- Sherri Mitchell and Sacred Instructions: https://www.sacredinstructions.life/
- Robin Wall Kimmerer and Indigenous Wisdom: https://www.robinwallkimmerer.com/
- David Sobel and The Holistic Educational Review: https://www.antioch.edu/faculty/david-sobel/
- Teach for Climate Justice: A Vision for Transforming Education (Tom Roderick): https://hep.gse.harvard.edu/9781682538074/teach-for-climate-justice/
- Restoring the Kinship Worldview (Wahinkpe Topa/Four Arrows and Darcia Narvaez): https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/690771/restoring-the-kinship-worldview-by-wahinkpe-topa-four-arrows/
- Richie Davidson and the Upaya Zen Center: https://www.upaya.org/about/
- The Center for Holistic Education: https://centerforholisticeducation.org/
