Social-Emotional Learning Academy helps students learn to manage their mental health
Herald & ReviewApr 15, 2024
Apr. 15—DECATUR — Bailey is the most popular "student" at the
The goldendoodle belongs to Principal
"It teaches them responsibility and empathy," Ellison said while watching Bailey run and play with children in the school's courtyard.
Students enjoy getting down on the floor with Bailey to read to her, do math with her, or just sit with her, and for kids who are learning constructive ways to cope with their own problems, a big, furry friend is exactly the right prescription.
The K-12 alternative school operated by the
Ellison said students are first guided by staff, but gradually learn to recognize their own needs and advocate for themselves. For example, if a student needs a break to leave the class or take a walk around the school to get calmer, teachers will excuse them, but eventually the students learn to recognize when they need that break and ask.
And when their need to leave class diminishes and they're spending more time in the classroom with better behavior than they are out of it, they are approaching the time when they can return to regular school. Staff gives them cards that say "I need a break" to take with them if they're uneasy about asking aloud, and the staff at their regular school is aware that the student might need to use those cards.
Some students, however, prefer to stay at SELA. At the high school level, the student can request that.
"I feel comfortable here," said sophomore
Dashon was moved back to his regular school, but asked to come back to the
It's the same for Tyrene, a freshman. "I get my work done," he said. "The teachers help you."
And for TreVann Allen, a third-grader, the small classes and individual attention has helped him to finally learn a skill that eluded him before.
"I know how to read and I like to earn stars," he said, and he said it more than once.
Second grader
And fifth grader
Every teacher at the school is there because he or she wants to be, said the boys' teacher,
"I was really missing kids and this is an awesome place," Panganiban said. "The culture is great, the community is great, everybody chooses to be here. I think that makes such a difference in a school. I love the kids. I love the program. Everybody works really well together."
For
"I enjoy working in the small school environment," she said. "I love working with the kids on their social-emotional skills and incorporating it into their learning. A ton of reasons, really. I fell in love with the relationships we get to build with the kids in this one-on-one environment and seeing them develop those skills and the academic growth.
------
Contact
___
(c)2024 the Herald & Review (Decatur, Ill.)
Visit the Herald & Review (Decatur, Ill.) at www.herald-review.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.