Whole School Climate Series

Course Series

1) Transformative Social Emotional Learning

Understand the CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) framework for Transformative SEL. Learn how T-SEL addresses structural inequities, privileges youth agency, fosters intersectional identity development, and utilizes collaborative problem-solving.

2) School Connectedness as a Protective Factor

Examine the longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health. Learn how school connectedness acts as a primary buffer against adolescent mental health crises, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation across marginalized demographics (LGBTQ+, youth with disabilities, racial minorities).

3) Demographic Representation Gaps in K-12 Education

Investigate the psychological and academic impacts of the "teacher-student demographic mismatch." Understand how having at least one educator of color affects the sense of belonging and academic self-efficacy for minority students.

4) Schoolwide Restorative Practices vs. Zero Tolerance Policies

Explore empirical case studies of districts that transitioned from punitive discipline models to restorative models. Investigate ways to reduce suspension/expulsion rates and narrow the racial discipline gap.

5) Institutional Racism and Workplace Discrimination in Education

Dig into the data documented in the CDC Action Guide regarding the specific mental health impacts of racial discrimination on teachers and administrators of color from internal colleagues and external community families.