SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL LEARNING PRACTICUM COURSE

“Social emotional learning is the process through which we learn to recognize and manage emotions, care about others, make good decisions, behave ethically and responsibly, develop positive relationships and avoid negative behaviors.”
                                                                                             Zins, Bloodworth,Weissberg, and Waberg (2004)
Building Academic Success on Social Emotional Learning

This course offers graduate students unique opportunities and a working knowledge of the latest research and theory in child and adolescent social development, prevention science, risk and resiliency and best practices in teaching and learning and goes a long way to addressing a well-recognized gap in teacher-training – social-emotional learning (see Collaborative for Academic and Social-Emotional Learning or CASEL at www.casel.org )

The course is aimed at masters and doctoral level teachers and graduate students in counselling and developmental psychology, special education, school psychology, and related disciplines who wish to learn about the latest cutting-edge theory and practice in the area of social-emotional development and learning, prevention science, and risk and resiliency to enhance the lives of children and youth. Based on best practices in teaching and learning, practicum students consider social and emotional learning within the cultural contexts in which they occur, emphasizing developmental approaches that acknowledge cultural diversity.

2006 / 2007 Course Syllabus - 2006 / 2007 Course Description

This course is dedicated to the memory of a great Canadian Philanthropist, Mrs. Edith Lando, who devoted her life to helping people, especially children, develop to their full potential.

THE COURSE IS MADE POSSIBLE OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD (2005-2010)
THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF:

THE EDITH LANDO CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

THE EDWARD D. & ANNA MITCHELL FAMILY FOUNDATION and

THE ATTIAS FAMILY FOUNDATION

Using a “train-the-trainer” model, this year-long practicum (Mondays 9-4, September through April) is developed in collaboration with local schools and community agencies to teach graduate students in Education about a broad range of programs and strategies for fostering social-emotional growth. Students have opportunities to apply their skills in a variety of educational settings across the lower mainland, including schools within the Vancouver, West Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam school districts. 

In addition, participants learn about a range of school-based programs and activities addressing student anxiety, student bullying, teasing and put-downs, use of dialogue journals with students, etc.

The SEL course culminates in both student and faculty presentations at the annual “Encompass Conference” sponsored by the Coquitlam School District’s Teachers’ Association (see www.cta43.org, under PD (Professional Development) and PD Events). The conference, held April 20-22, 2006 at Terry Fox Secondary School in Coquitlam BC, attracted over 1000 participants interested in issues of social justice, social responsibility and social-emotional learning, was made possible in part through the contributions of the Edith Lando Charitable Foundation, the Edward D. and Anna Mitchell Family Foundation and the Attias Family Foundation.

STUDENTS PRESENTING AT ENCOMPASS CONFERENCE APRIL 20-22, 2006

• learn about the nature of childhood social-emotional development in education, mental health, and risk prevention;

• receive training in the some of the latest techniques and approaches for enhancing social-emotional growth in children and adolescents from trainers in the field as well as faculty members;

• understand the importance of evidence-based practice and gain knowledge and experience in evaluating the effectiveness of SEL programs; and

• work directly with children and youth in existing programs in the community, classrooms, and schools as part of their field placement under the supervision of faculty and our practicum facilitator/school liaison.

FIRST YEAR STUDENTS

The 13 Masters and Doctoral students who participated in the course in the first year brought with them a range of experiences and perspectives, with backgrounds in teaching, special education, educational counseling, music psychology, nursing, social work and international studies. Students came from programs in counseling psychology, school psychology, special education, nursing, as well as human development, learning and culture, the program in which the course is offered. They came from Israel, Lebanon, Germany, Mexico, Venezuela, Japan, and from provinces across Canada, lending a broad, international perspective to our learning.

Kimberly Schonert-Reichl is an Associate Professor of Education at UBC. She has worked as a middle school, secondary school teacher for “at risk” students, and as a child therapist at a residential treatment institution for children with severe behavioral disorders. In addition to working on a number of school-based projects in the area of social responsibility in collaboration with educators in Vancouver and Coquitlam, Kim is currently involved in several practice-based research projects examining the efficacy of social- emotional competence programs, including the “Roots of Empathy” and “Safe Spaces”, and the well-being of children during middle childhood.

Gail Gallander is the community/school liaison for the course, maintaining links between practicum placements in school and community agencies and the SEL students and instructors. Gail also observes our students in community/ school settings, supporting students in their practicum and evaluating how well students can translate what is learned in the course into educational practice. Gail has worked with children and youth for over 30 years as a preschool teacher, child care worker, youth worker, and special education assistant with children and youth with autism, Downs Syndrome, and physical/mental health difficulties. She was the Director of a community youth centre for several years and worked as a community school coordinator for over a decade. 

Graduate students taking the course in its initial year offer the following reviews

• “This course is unique, a first of its kind, for those who would like to receive graduate level training in how to professionally put social emotional learning and social responsibility into practice.”

•  “This is an invaluable course that really opens your eyes to the omnipresent issue of social and emotional learning and how to better teach others about it.”

•  “An incredible, positive, diverse learning environment with supportive, knowledgeable instructors who have a passion for the subject.”

•  “This course provided an incredibly unique opportunity to form special relationships with peers I would never otherwise have known.”

• “A time-consuming but extremely valuable course – worth every minute.”

• “This course is a necessity for anyone who works with children (whether in education, counseling, health or recreation fields).”

• “It is a wonderful opportunity to have the experience of belonging to a caring and safe community and transmit the same in our everyday life.”

• “My ‘toolbox’ of how to approach social-emotional learning is so loaded after these 24+ long Mondays to the point that I can only think of love when planning a social-emotional learning program.”

•  “Although this social-emotional learning course is very intensive, it is guaranteed that you will be satisfied with the contents of the course.”

• “An invaluable opportunity to challenge the heart and mind of education.”

• “A lasting learning experience.”

Partnerships:

UBC’s Department of Educational & Counselling Psychology & Special Education 
www.ecps.educ.ubc.ca/dlac/index.html

UBC’s Psychoeducational Research and
Training Centre
www.prtc.educ.ubc.ca

Vancouver School District and the Vancouver School Board’s Social Responsibility Steering Committee
www.vsb.bc.ca

Other School Placements
for students were
provided through:

West Vancouver
School District

Burnaby School District

&

Coquitlam School District

British Columbia’s
Crisis Centre
www.youthinBC.com

PROGRAMS FEATURED:

Safeteen

Roots of Empathy

• “Classroom parenting program that teaches human development, emotional literacy, and nurtures the growth of empathy” (Roots of Empathy, 2000).
• For more info, contact: Larry Haberlin (Vancouver School Board)
• Tel: (604) 713 56 81/ Email lhaberlin@vsb.bc.ca / www.rootsofempathy.org

Second Step

• Research based universal social competence program.
• Teaches social-emotional skills (empathy, emotion regulation, and problem solving) and an awareness of safety, fairness, and consideration for another’s feelings. Includes teacher, student and parent components.
• For more info, visit: www.cfchildren.org

UBC Ropes Course

• Program where cooperative games and problem solving skills are developed in an outdoor setting.
• For more info, visit: www.ubcropescourse.ca
• UBC Ropes Course, C/O Pacific Adventure Learning, 201-1139 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC V6H 1G1 / Tel: (604) 732-3588 / Email:
  melinda@pacificadventure.org