Cocktail Reception & Kickoff Dinner

Educating Hearts, Inspiring Minds, Illuminating Futures

Join CASEL CEO Dr. Aaliyah A. Samuel and CASEL co-founder Dr. Timothy Shriver to kick off the SEL Exchange and commemorate CASEL’s 30th anniversary. Together with Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond and Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence executive director Karen Niemi, we’ll honor the remarkable journey of advancing SEL over the past three decades—both the successes and struggles—and ignite a shared vision for the future of the field. We’ll also celebrate the SEL Leaders of the Year and hear from Chicago leaders and students who have led the nation in SEL.

Opening Plenary

Accelerate! Academic Thriving
in Today’s Classrooms

Social and emotional learning is deeply intertwined with academic learning and success. So how can we effectively integrate SEL with core content areas to accelerate learning so that students don’t just recover, but thrive? Dr. Michael Strambler (Yale University), Dr. Sara Rimm-Kaufman (University of Virginia), Dr. Gholdy Muhammad (University of Illinois Chicago), Kevin Dykema (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics), and Dr. Ralph Smith (Campaign for Grade-Level Reading) will delve into what the true integration of SEL and academics looks like, sounds like, and feels like – with practical insights, leadership strategies, and research innovations to invigorate your work.

Closing Plenary

Accelerate! Lifelong Learning for
Tomorrow’s Leaders

In an increasingly digital, connected, and fast-paced world, the skills for success are ever-changing but deeply human. UCLA researcher Dr. Adriana Galvan, Delaware Department of Education school psychologist Dr. Teri Lawler, and Prince William County Schools superintendent Dr. LaTanya McDade will offer a new vision for how we prepare future-ready students. Join us in a discussion of the essential skills for tomorrow’s workforce, strategies for transitioning students from classrooms to bright futures, and the necessary changes we must make to enhance lifelong outcomes for every young person.

Social and Emotional Learning and Academic Success: Integrating SEL Principles, Skills, and Tools Into Instruction

Research shows that students with emotional intelligence skills engage more academically, manage stress, and foster positive relationships. Dr. Marc Brackett and Dr. Dawn Brooks DeCosta will explore how to infuse SEL skills like self-awareness, empathy, and resilience into academic content, improving engagement, promoting culturally responsive pedagogy, and addressing diverse needs for both emotional well-being and academic success.

Interactions Matter: The Social Emotional Foundations of Learning

David Adams and Dr. Stephanie Jones will guide you as you explore how social-emotional learning (SEL) is deeply intertwined with the science of learning, emphasizing the fundamental role of interactions in fostering development and education. Drawing on insights from developmental psychology, particularly the work of Urie Bronfenbrenner and Bridget Hamre, we will explore how interactions between children and their environment—whether with technology, peers, or adults—serve as the primary drivers of learning.

Bridging Sciences: An Integrated Approach to Leveraging SEL to Support Student Literacy Development

Research demonstrates that SEL is integral to the cognitive work of academic learning, including literacy development. If we take the steps to ensure a comprehensive approach to literacy development and instruction, we will make the measurable gains in student literacy that our youngest learners need and deserve. Dr. Carol Lee and Dr. Alessandra Ward will connect the dots between the science of human learning and development and literacy and SEL. You’ll gain an understanding of how SEL can support literacy development in Pre-K through 5 and 6 through 12 grades, as well as recommendations for supporting SEL and literacy concurrently. They will also offer recommendations for decision-makers across federal, state, and local levels seeking to improve reading achievement.

Teaching to Make Meaning: Developing Student Agency and Resilience

Children and youth are shouldering an array of social-emotional quandaries, including deep existential questions about global challenges and complex social issues, all while having unprecedented access to digital tools and [mis]information. Assuring the thriving of children and youth requires the support of many adults working in concert together, and teachers play an essential role in this work. In this session, Dr. Elizabeth Moje will discuss research on how teachers can 1) reduce the traumatizing effects of classroom learning demands and 2) engage students in questions and problems that motivate learning, build agency, and promote resilience by showing children and youth that their actions matter in the world. Dr. Mohe will draw from her research and development work in Detroit Public Schools to present research-based teaching practices that support students’ social and emotional development, empower students as change agents, and instill hope for the future.

Don’t miss these incredible speakers, and so many more, at the most anticipated SEL event of the year!

Hosted by CASEL, the SEL Exchange is for anyone committed to creating caring, equitable schools and communities that develop the whole child to ensure that all students can thrive. Learn more about CASEL.

Thank you to this year’s generous underwriting supporter, BMO, for helping to make this year’s event possible.