Whole School Health Through Psychosocial Emotional Learning

Dr. Jared Scherz is a clinical psychologist, author, and consultant who has worked with educators for over 30 years. He earned his M.Ed. from Penn State University and became an elementary school counselor before gaining his Ph.D. in psychology. He has created innovative prevention and intervention programs in both rural and inner-city schools. Dr. Scherz believes that by supporting educator wellness and organizational health, schools will be better equipped for the challenges of modern-day education. He also believes that self-reflective practitioners who can recognize and meet their own needs are the keys to cultivating environments where both academic and psychosocial emotional learning can flourish. As the CEO of TeacherCoach, Jared's mission is to develop educational ecosystems that bring new revenue streams into school districts, make schools the hub of wellness in their community, and blend personal growth and professional development for faculty. Through the first ever Learning Engagement System (LES), districts can meet the needs of both the individual and the organization. For more information about TeacherCoach, email coach@teachercoach.com or visit us at www.teachercoach.com.

Foreword Acknowledgments About the Author Introduction Part I: Current State of Education Chapter 1: Teacher Recruitment and Retention Chapter 2: Engagement Chapter 3: The Psychology of Educator Stress Chapter 4: Organizational Health and Educator Wellness Part II: Psychosocial Emotional Learning Chapter 5: Introduction to Psychosocial Emotional Learning Chapter 6: Balancing Brain and Body Chapter 7: Connecting Sensations With Feelings, Wants, and Needs Chapter 8: Differentiating Self-Regulation Versus Self-Control Chapter 9: Building Capacity to Hold Feelings in Abeyance Chapter 10: Improving Tolerance for Distress Chapter 11: Stimulating Self-Reflective Practices Chapter 12: Helping Integrate Inequities and Frailties Chapter 13: Evolving Identity Formation Chapter 14: Growing Self-Worth Chapter 15: Channeling Aggression Into Constructive Outlets Chapter 16: Developing Tools for Expressing and Negotiating Needs Chapter 17: Cultivating Empathy and Advanced Empathy Chapter 18: Deepening Conflict Resolution to Constructive Differencing Chapter 19: Anticipating the Consequences of Actions Chapter 20: Modeling Ownership and Accountability Chapter 21: Human Evolution and Psychosocial Emotional Learning Appendix A: Road Map for Psychosocial Emotional Learning Appendix B: Next Steps References Index

"This important book discusses how to cultivate success, happiness, and a healthier world for all and will enhance the tools educators use to shape our children's future. Whole School Health Through Psychosocial Emotional Learning is not only for educators, but also for parents and others interested in cultivating favorable emotional and physical health in the next generation." -- Joel Fuhrman, M.D., New York Times Bestselling Author "Whole School Health Through Psychosocial Emotional Learning is a useful guide for empowering educators to facilitate what we now know are critical elements of childhood development. At a time when so many families are reflecting on the immense value teachers and schools bring to their lives, Jared Scherz successfully connects the dots between how students learn and how they interact with the world around them. Using evidence-based descriptions of psychosocial emotional learning sprinkled with personal accounts from real-life educators, this book offers a practical roadmap for schools looking to create an integrated, engaging, and supportive environment for the next generation." -- Amy Kennedy, Educator Director of The Kennedy Forum "Whole School Health Through Psychosocial Emotional Learning highlights the importance of relationships, communication, and compassion for others. It presents a critical view in supporting, training, and retaining teachers through the lens of engaging and modeling behaviors that will help our rural students be better civic leaders and community members. My favorite quote from the book gives credit to the author's upbringing and modeling from his parents: 'We must experience the world through others so we can fully engage in educating all children. My father and mother modeled to me and my siblings how to experience the world through somebody else's eyes, especially if their outer differences stirred up discomfort or displeasure, enriching all lives involved.' I recommend all leaders, teachers, and stakeholders secure their copy as they prepare for school." -- Allen C. Pratt "While education faces an unrelenting threat, Dr. Jared Scherz reminds us to invest in our frontline defense. Impactful personal narratives blended with a new paradigm around SEL makes Dr. Scherz one of our premier thought leaders in education and this book a must read." -- Dr. Richard Bozza "This book provides a useful introduction to the complex challenge of improving psychosocial emotional learning (PSEL). Building on the experiences of 15 educators, Jared Scherz proposes a new paradigm for whole school and individual health that balances body and brain and builds capacity both to self-regulate and tolerate distress." -- James Harvey "Psychosocial-emotional skills are much harder to teach than the insouciant moniker 'soft skills' has, for decades, suggested. Whole School Health Through Psychosocial Emotional Learning provides a clear and welcome roadmap for professional educators around the world to follow as they upgrade their approach to nurturing the whole child. Schools and districts that adopt these principles will boost the mental health and stamina of their students and faculty alike." -- Christopher Thurber