AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

Featuring Jorge Valenzuela

Q: What inspired you to write Raising Equity Through SEL?

The current social-emotional learning (SEL) needs of teachers and students inspired me to write this book. Many of our colleagues and learners are hurting because of the pandemic of 2020, as well as other reasons. This book doesn’t claim to be a panacea for the problems educators face. Instead, it is an evergreen resource designed to help educators create a plan for navigating difficulties and helping their students do the same.

Q: What challenges will this book help educators overcome?

The book strives to help educators and their learners improve their emotional intelligence (EQ) skills over time. The framework I offer is designed to prepare adults for activating SEL by meeting kids where they are emotionally and academically. Moreover, it’s a versatile framework that logically addresses EQ skills and provides strategies for improving students’ academic and social experiences by honoring their diverse needs and points of view. Additionally, this book uplifts practices from other pedagogies, such as trauma-informed teaching, culturally responsive teaching, and restorative justice, to help educators update their SEL plans as needed.

Q: What are some strategies, tools, and templates you offer in the book?

The foundation for the concepts and practices found in the book is the five-step Equity and SEL Integration Framework.

1. Learn the basics of the CASEL 5 and emotional intelligence.

2. Assess your unconscious biases and beliefs about students.

3. Improve your knowledge of your students.

4. Help students develop emotional intelligence skills.

5. Activate SEL in your lessons (curriculum). Each step of the framework is strengthened with specific strategies, tools, and templates educators can use as they move through each step.

Q: What is the one thing you would like educators to take away from the book?

It’s always possible to improve our own SEL. Until we do, it won’t be possible to help others with theirs. Thriving schools and classrooms are a collaborative effort between adults and young people. I’m not saying this book outlines the only way to raise equity through SEL, but it’s a proven way to see change within ourselves and our kids by applying the advice found in the pages.