Course Description

This course equips educators with a deep understanding of the mental health challenges students and teachers face. By addressing these challenges through the lens of social-emotional learning, educators develop practical skills to create nurturing, inclusive, and supportive classroom environments. As a result, they will be better prepared to enhance students’ well-being and their own, ultimately contributing to a healthier, more productive educational community. This course delves into the critical intersection of mental health and education, comprehensively exploring the challenges and strategies surrounding mental health and wellness in the educational context.

Educators explore the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on students’ mental health and well-being. They learn to identify signs of ACEs, gain strategies for creating trauma-sensitive classrooms, and examine the prevalence of mental health challenges among students and the broader educational community.

The course also addresses the stigma surrounding mental health and ways to reduce it within educational settings. Educators will delve into the core concepts of social-emotional learning (SEL) and its role in promoting positive mental health. Through practical strategies for integrating social-emotional learning into classroom activities, educators learn how to implement techniques that promote mental health and well-being for students. The course explores the importance of self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and relationship-building in fostering students’ well-being.

Educators face many stressors in their profession, and the course includes strategies to help teachers maintain their mental health and wellness. The course concludes with an examination of self-care techniques, stress management, and strategies for building a supportive professional community.

Essential Questions

• How do Adverse Childhood Experiences affect mental health?
• What is the relationship between mental health and social-emotional learning?
• What social-emotional learning strategies foster mental health and wellness in students?
• What social-emotional learning strategies foster mental health and wellness in teachers?

Comments from Teachers

“I had a very positive experience with TKL. The course was informative and provided useful strategies for supporting student mental health, SEL, and inclusive learning environments. Thank you for the valuable learning experience.”

“The course taught me that SEL is closely tied to equity, identity, and student belonging. I learned the importance of the five SEL competencies and how to embed them into daily instruction.”

“I enjoyed having the opportunity to have peer discussions where I can add my inputs and see what other educators’ thoughts as well.”

Danielson Teacher Framework Course Alignment