Week 3 Focused Observation: Social-Emotional Learning & Trauma Responsiveness

Nicole Tate

Date of field experience: February 5-9, 2024

Yorktown Middle School - ELA 8th Grade - 2nd and 3rd period

In talking to my host teacher about the topic, she told me that in her opinion, Yorktown doesn't do the best in this area. She said that they used to be very strong, but that this area has gone downhill the more they bring in outside students. She said the reason for this is that families who live in Munice, for example, are much less likely to be involved with their student in school because of the drive. One thing that Yorktown offers to help struggling students is after-school study tables once a week. If a student has __ number or more of F's or missing assignments, they are required to go to this. About 10% of their 8th graders are pulled into this each week. Many parents, however, pull their students out of this. She also told me that many of the parents they have right now are quick to excuse their student's behavior. She said that teachers and parents there are quick to say that a student "has trauma", but don't go much more into depth trying to figure out how to help them.

The reading says: "research has shown that social and emotional competence can be enhanced using a variety of classroom-based approaches." One topic from the Casel 5 that I think Yorktown is making progress on is the social awareness perspective. For example, the book topics I have heard that the English teachers are doing are much more inclusive than what I read at that age. For example, the book we started this week is set in the time period of WW2, but is focused on the genocide of people of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, which is something I did not learn about in school. This month, I have also heard my host teacher talking about Black History Month being incorporated into the curriculum, which is something I NEVER had until college. The reading also says: "SEL instruction is carried out most effectively in nurturing, safe environments characterized by positive, caring relationships among students and teachers". I have heard my students say that my host teacher is one of their kindest/favorite teachers. I see her go above and beyond, asking students about how things are at home and how their sports games/other involvement are going. For the Casel 5 area of Responsive Decision Making, my host teacher incorporates a lot of these skills. These are not necessarily included in her curriculum, but are things she teaches on the spot when student behavior arises. For example, if a student does something against school rules, instead of simply punishing them, she has a discussion about the WHY of the behavior, and how the student specifically can improve.

This week has been very busy once again. I am getting ready for my THED practicum/show to start, and have still been having dance rehearsals almost daily. On Saturday I performed at Dance Marathon with my dance team which was so much fun! I am feeling slightly more caught up academically, but am unsure how long that may last with the amount of things I am about to pick up.