Social and Emotional Learning Specialization

Candidates who are prepared with the Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Specialization will demonstrate knowledge, skills, professional dispositions and cultural competencies necessary to promote SEL among students and teachers in K-12 settings The Social and Emotional Learning Specialization is “added value” on an Oregon-issued teaching license. It is an optional indication of specialized preparation and expertise in the area of Social and Emotional Learning. The SEL Specialization indicates the educator has demonstrated exceptional knowledge, skills and dispositions in SEL pedagogy and practice.

Social and Emotional Learning Specialization Program Outcomes

The SEL Specialization meets the standards set by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC).

Standard 1: Foundational Knowledge in Social and Emotional Development. The SEL teacher understands and applies theories of social and emotional development to their practice.

Standard 2: Educator Social and Emotional Competencies. The SEL teacher knows and uses their own social and emotional competencies to create and support classroom and school level SEL for students, families, and staff.

Standard 3: SEL Instruction and Practices. The SEL teacher knows, understands and uses evidence-based practices related to create positive classroom climate and develop social and emotional competencies. They are familiar with a variety of universal, evidence-based SEL programs for students and teachers. They are familiar with the role of SEL in the promotion of equity in schools and how it relates to other common approaches for cultivating students’ wellbeing in schools.

Standard 4: Assessment in SEL. The SEL Teacher can set goals and develop a plan for implementation and evaluation to monitor the progress and the impact of SEL programming on students, teachers and schools.