Time Well Spent: Enhancing Classroom Climate with Social and Emotional Learning

As professors dedicated to improving our teaching, we often grapple with the challenge of limited time to influence our students’ learning experiences. As experts in our fields, we bear the responsibility of not only imparting knowledge and fostering critical thinking but also cultivating a supportive classroom community and addressing students’ “soft skills.” Recognizing the significance of these additional components, I delved into research to explore the benefits of integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) into my lessons. The profound impact I discovered convinced me to gradually incorporate SEL components into both online and in-person classes, resulting in a transformed classroom climate and enhanced student learning. In this article, I hope to share how effortless and valuable it can be for you to embark on a similar journey with your students.