Governor Phil Murphy • Lt. Governor Tahesha Way

Social and Emotional Learning

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions. Students in SEL programs are more likely to attend school and receive better grades, and are less likely to have conduct problems. Successful infusion of SEL can result in positive behaviors, increased academic success, and caring communities.

The New Jersey Department of Education supports school districts in their efforts to implement social and emotional learning to build positive school climates, nurture the healthy development of all students, and foster the skills needed for success in school, work and life.

NJDOE SEL Competencies

SEL Leadership Course Logo; Brick by Brick: A Leader's Guide to Building SEL in Schools

Course Overview

Developed in collaboration with the Social-Emotional and Character Development Lab at Rutgers University, Brick by Brick: A Leader's Guide to Building SEL in Schools is a free online course designed for Pre-K-12 school leaders and aspiring leaders, and provides tools to implement systemic SEL within schools and cultivate a positive school environment.

The online course consists of five modules which will advance your knowledge and capacity to provide leadership to develop inclusive schools in which every student feels as if they are safe, valued, and to which they feel a strong sense of belonging through implementation of social and emotional learning.  

Module 1 Becoming a Master BuilderModule 2: Reviewing the Architectural PlansModule 3: Starting the BuildModule 4: Ensuring Structural IntegrityModule 5: Building Bridges of Connection

Each module includes various learning activities (readings, videos, reflections) and quizzes to assess your understanding of the material throughout the course. Additionally, you will come away from this course with concrete resources and templates to assist you in implementing this work within your schools.

Course Requirements

Registration and enrollment is limited to individuals employed in a k-12 public, charter, or Renaissance school in NJ.

Intended Audience

School leaders or aspiring school leaders with interest in the application of SEL within schools.

Certificate and Badge

Participants who complete the course and the culminating assessment will receive a certificate of completion as well as a digital badge. The digital badge can be shared with professional and personal networks (e.g., on social media platforms, in email signatures, etc.) to showcase a participant’s achievement, expertise, and commitment to creating supportive school communities that promote social and emotional learning.

First Time Users

Course Registration:
  1. Visit the Rutgers Course Detail page and scroll to the bottom to click the Register/Login Now button.
  2. Click the Create Account button to create an account profile or enter your Username/Password if you already have a Rutgers Continuing Education account.

Once your account is created, you will be redirected back to the Rutgers Course Detail page. Please follow these steps to ensure your registration is completed:

Step 1: Scroll down and click the Add to Cart button to add the course to your shopping cart.

Step 2: Review cart and click Checkout.

Step 3: Click the check box to accept the General Refund Policy.

Step 4: Click Place Order to submit your registration. 

You will be emailed a confirmation of your registration as well as instructions on how to access the course in Canvas.

Returning Users

  • Upon registration (see First Time Users to the left), participants should have recieved a personalized email detailing the email associated with their account, the course they registered for, and how to log into Canvas—see Step 4.
  • Please check your email (inbox, spam, & junk folders) to ensure you have the correct information in order to log in. 
  • If you did not receive a confirmation email or need assistance, please email the ANCOR Helpdesk at ANCORHelp@docs.rutgers.edu. 

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SEL Competencies for School, Work, and Life: A Guide for Teachers

SEL Guide for Teachers logo

These modules were designed for teachers as a turnkey program where they can take their professional learning about SEL to then support the SEL growth of their students.

Through implementation of these modules, teachers can expect to increase their content knowledge and recognize best practices for implementing SEL, while schools can expect to:

  • Become safer and more engaging spaces.
  • See a decrease in at-risk student behaviors such as bullying, chronic absenteeism, and substance use.
  • Note improved academic performance from students.
  • Observe increases in students’ preparedness for work, college and life.

Schools can use the modules in whichever way best fits the needs of their students and staff (e.g., as school or district professional development, within professional learning communities (PLCs), or individually). These modules can also be completed in one large session or broken up into shorter multiple sessions to be completed as time allows.

Within each module you will find a facilitation guide, a PPT slide deck, and any associated handouts. Additionally, a Professional Learning Tip Sheet is available to assist you and/or your school district in getting the most out of these learning modules.

SEL Guide for Teachers logo

Module 1: Introduction to Social and Emotional Learning

SEL Guide for Teachers logo

Module 5: Responsible Decision-Making

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Resources

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