SEL teams can foster community-building in all classrooms by supporting teachers

Creating classroom shared agreements is a powerful strategy for developing a sense of community. 
Make sure to: 

The space teachers create for their students matters, and can encourage students to think of themselves as an interdependent community of learners. 

Strategies: 

*A school’s efforts at SEL are more likely to succeed if you consistently make space to discuss SEL implementation.

Include all students, especially those who don’t normally speak up, in writing the agreements.

Make sure all students feel comfortable with the agreements.

Revisit classroom shared agreements frequently; for example, to set the tone before a lesson, or as a reflection and self-assessment tool following a lesson or activity.

The space teachers create for their students matters, and can encourage students to think of themselves as an interdependent community of learners.

Cultivates and maintains trusting relationships, and is respectful of students.

Helps students understand their impact on others, build empathy, and repair harm they may have caused.

Prioritizes keeping students in the learning environment, engaged with peers and support systems.

Is responsive to the cultural, developmental, and school context for behavior and aims to end the disproportionate use of harsh punishment of students of color.