Transformative Social and Emotional Learning

Transformative social and emotional learning (TSEL) is an asset-based, culturally responsive way of teaching that sees social and emotional learning and social justice as inextricably linked. This practical guide will support teachers in centering TSEL in their work and in cultivating a commitment to justice with young children in developmentally appropriate ways. The authors provide stories, perspectives, and concrete tools, including planning resources for teachers, tips on integrating TSEL into different content areas, research on how to foster positive racial identity development, support for integrating transformative play into the classroom, and a roadmap for teacher educators. The text provides specific examples that demonstrate how to implement complex concepts in accessible ways. Chapters are designed to be practical (though not overly prescriptive) so teachers can readily adapt takeaways to their own practice.

Book Features:

• Advice on how to navigate barriers to integrating TSEL: An entire chapter is dedicated to situating TSEL in the realities of the current climate—providing teachers with tools and resources to address challenges that are inherent to social justice work.
• Concrete tools for a complex concept: TSEL as a concept can be difficult to access for classroom teachers who are already creating so much content. This book provides concrete tools and specific examples of how to implement TSEL without oversimplifying this work.
• A foundation of social justice for young children: Social justice work has traditionally focused more on adolescents. This book provides tools for building a developmentally appropriate foundation for doing this work with young changemakers (pre-K–grade 6).

Madora Soutter is an assistant professor of education at Villanova University. Alessandra E. Ward is an assistant professor of education at Wheaton College. Chu N. Ly is an assistant professor of education at Framingham State University.

"Transformative Social and Emotional Learning is a timely and important resource for every educator invested in carrying out social and emotional learning that challenges injustice and honors all of the different identities that our students hold."
—Scott Seider, professor, Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development

"Transformative Social and Emotional Learning is an essential read for educators striving to create justice-oriented, inclusive environments where all young learners can thrive. With its blend of practical tools, actionable strategies, teacher narratives, professional development insights, and advice for navigating today’s complex political landscape, this book serves as a comprehensive guide to help educators confidently bring transformative social-emotional learning into any classroom."
—Shelby Clark, principal investigator, Project Zero

"I read lots of books that focus on the what of schools—what teachers should do and therefore what students will know as a result. But few also attend to the how of change—how we make meaningful and implementable changes to classrooms and systems that have not always attended to areas such as socio-emotional learning, not to mention imagining that work as work of transformation and maybe even justice. Soutter and colleagues treat teachers and children as authentic, important collaborators in the work of change around TSEL by being simultaneously concrete, imaginative, and humanizing in exploring their ideas of how to make TSEL a reality. It is truly no small feat and is sure to be useful to educators at many levels and sites who are interested in this work."
—Christina L. Dobbs, program director for English education, Boston University, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development