The pandemic has impacted all social systems in some way, but the effects on PreK-12 schools provided a magnifying glass onto preexisting concerns. Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is a framework for schools and staff which helps guide students in their own development of skills essential for success in families, work, social groups, and communities. Resilience, empathy, ambition, curiosity, belonging, awareness, connection, and purpose—along with many other SEL components—can all be fostered while teaching more traditional academic content. This month’s Ales & Ideas free lecture series provides community members a chance to learn about this framework which acknowledges that all learning is social and emotional. Jenni Newton, PhD will share methods and strategies used to support students’ relationships at work, home, and with friends. The evening will include a slide presentation and opportunity for Q&A from the audience. All are welcome.
Ales and Ideas has returned to live, in-person audiences Thursday Night Talks. Come join us at the spacious Lovell Showroom, on 14th & Duane in Astoria. No more LIVE-Stream; no more Facebook. Of course, face coverings are still welcome. Doors open at 6pm, with food, ales, and other beverages available. No purchase is required; minors are welcome at this FREE event. The 1-hour event will begin promptly at 7pm.
Jenni Newton, PhD, (she/her) has worked with the Astoria School District for 23 years. Since earning her doctorate in Transformative Studies from the California Institute of Integral Studies, she has helped lead the district to embrace social emotional learning as an applicable lens to any interaction. Jenni loves learning and reflects on her own educational experiences to inform her work; her first college class was at Clatsop Community College when she was in fourth grade and took calligraphy with her mom. She values education as the great equalizer in our nation, recognizing that social and emotional skills are required to support optimum learning.
Heather Douglas is the Project Coordinator of The Alliance for Equity in Education at Clatsop Community College which is funded by a grant through The Meyer Memorial Trust with the purpose of developing a culturally responsive and inclusive strategy to improve transitions to college for priority high school youth in Clatsop County. As part of her role, Heather is a member of CCC’s DEI Council, which seeks to disrupt the impacts of power and privilege while working to dismantle oppressive systems in our institutions that hold students back from reaching their full potential. The DEI Council leads and advises the campus community about issues concerning equity and deliberately promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion at Clatsop Community College.
