SEL: The Unseen Curriculum (or, How to Turn Every Teacher Into a Therapist)

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), that buzzword that’s been infiltrating every educational conference and policy document, is slowly but surely transforming our schools into giant, squishy group hug sessions. Or at least, that’s what it feels like sometimes.

Let’s be honest, when you picture a teacher, you probably don’t envision someone doling out life advice alongside long division. Yet, thanks to SEL, that’s becoming the new normal. We’re no longer just educators; we’re now also therapists, relationship counselors, and motivational speakers.

Remember those good old days when teaching was simply about imparting knowledge? You’d stand at the front of a class, armed with facts and figures, and students would dutifully absorb them. Now, we’re expected to create a safe space, foster empathy, and teach kids how to regulate their emotions – all before lunch. It’s like we’ve been handed a curriculum that’s more suited to a self-help retreat than a classroom.

Don’t get me wrong, I believe in the importance of SEL. Kids need to learn how to navigate the complexities of life, and schools should play a role in that. But let’s not pretend it’s a subject like math or science. It’s more like the air we breathe; it should permeate everything we do.

So, the next time you hear someone talk about SEL as a standalone subject, feel free to chuckle. It’s like saying you’re going to teach students how to be human in period four. SEL is not a one-off lesson; it’s a mindset, a philosophy. It’s about infusing every interaction with empathy, kindness, and understanding.

And while we’re at it, can we please get a raise?

Disclaimer: This article was written with tongue firmly planted in cheek. The author fully supports the importance of SEL in education, the author burns for SEL, because SEL is life skills and so much more.