To celebrate SEL Week, we invited you—students, parents, teachers, counselors, school and district administrators, and community leaders—to share your SEL story. Of the many excellent entries we received, Anshu, an educator in Gurgaon, India, is one of our 10 finalists. You can view all 10 finalists here.
As a teacher in a bustling school, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the incredible impact of social and emotional learning (SEL) on my students’ lives firsthand. In our classroom, SEL isn’t just a curriculum—it’s a transformative journey that nurtures students to be expressive, happy, confident, and resilient individuals. SEL lessons are carefully integrated with our unit of inquiry, focusing on specific social and emotional skills such as compassion, resilience, kindness, and empathy. Through engaging activities and discussions, my students explore these concepts in depth, applying them to their daily lives.
One of the highlights of our classroom is our gratitude wall—a colourful display where students come forward to acknowledge and appreciate their friends. It’s heartwarming to see the genuine expressions of gratitude and kindness shared among classmates, fostering a sense of belonging and positivity in our classroom community. As the school year progresses, I’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation in my students. They’ve become more expressive, confident, and emotionally resilient, thanks to the SEL lessons integrated into our curriculum. Through role-playing exercises and group discussions, they’ve learned the power of empathy in building meaningful connections and understanding diverse perspectives.
During a memorable class session, we centered our attention on empathy within our community and belonging unit of inquiry. My students participated in heartfelt discussions, exchanging personal experiences and gaining insight into each other’s perspectives. This served as a powerful reminder of empathy’s role in nurturing understanding and compassion among peers. SEL has truly transformed my relationship with my students and enriched our classroom community in profound ways. Through SEL, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of my students’ day-to-day experiences. As a result, my students and I feel more connected to each other, creating a supportive environment where we can openly share our sorrows and happiness without hesitation. This sense of trust and camaraderie has strengthened our bonds and fostered a culture of empathy and understanding.
Another special aspect of our classroom is our secret jar, a safe space where students can anonymously share their concerns or secrets that they may not feel comfortable discussing in front of everyone. It’s heartwarming to see my students express themselves freely, knowing that their voices are heard and respected. As a teacher, I take the responsibility of addressing these secret notes seriously. I make it a priority to listen to my students’ concerns and offer support and guidance to the best of my capabilities. If needed, I involve other stakeholders in the child’s journey, such as parents, counsellors, or administrators, to ensure that the student receives the necessary support and resources. Through our secret jar and the practice of addressing students’ concerns with care and empathy, SEL has empowered me to create a nurturing classroom environment where every student feels valued, supported, and heard. It’s truly a privilege to witness the positive impact of SEL on my students’ well-being and academic success, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be a part of their journey.
In my classroom, SEL isn’t just a lesson—it’s a way of life. It’s about empowering my students to navigate the complexities of life with confidence, kindness, and empathy. As a teacher deeply committed to nurturing my students’ holistic development, I firmly believe that helping them become leaders of tomorrow involves more than just academic instruction. By integrating SEL into our curriculum, we aim to provide our students with essential life skills that will equip them to thrive in the future.
Through SEL, I’m helping my students become expressive, happy, and confident individuals who are capable of navigating life’s challenges with resilience and empathy.
By focusing on specific components of SEL such as compassion, resilience, kindness, and empathy, I’m fostering a classroom environment where students feel valued, supported, and empowered to make a positive difference in the world.
By encouraging open communication, collaboration, and empathy among peers, I’m instilling in my students the qualities of effective leaders—those who can inspire, motivate, and uplift others.
Through activities like our gratitude wall, I’m teaching my students the importance of acknowledging and appreciating the contributions of others, fostering a culture of inclusivity and positivity.
Furthermore, by integrating SEL into our unit of inquiry and focusing on specific elements like empathy, self-awareness, and understanding of diverse perspectives, we are nurturing crucial skills for future leaders who will need to navigate complex global challenges with empathy and compassion.
In essence, by prioritizing SEL in my classroom, I’m not only preparing my students to excel academically but also empowering them to become open-minded, compassionate, resilient, and empathetic leaders who will positively impact their communities and beyond.
The views in this blog are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of CASEL.
Anshu Singh is a passionate educator from DPS International School in Gurgaon, India, who finds immense joy in the company of children, relishing every opportunity to positively influence their lives. She sees her profession as not merely a job but a calling, and she is dedicated to leaving a lasting impact on young minds. Beyond the classroom, she likes to draw and paint, nurture her plants, and read.