New Faces
Nick Woolf joined the Teaching & Learning Team this September as an SEL Specialist. For the past two years, Nick has worked with schools throughout New England to help them think about ways to implement social-emotional learning initiatives to improve student and adult well-being. Prior to that, he served in various roles at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Social-Emotional Learning Alliance for Massachusetts (SEL4MA), and Tufts University. Outside of work, Nick loves spending time with his wife (Annie) and puppy (Riley) running, hiking, and cross country skiing.
Social-Emotional Learning/Mental Health Resources
- BSD SEL Resource Hub: This resource library includes SEL activities, classroom management strategies, RP circle scripts for SEL skill-building, and professional learning opportunities. Learn more >
- Inner Explorer: All members of the BSD community have free access to Inner Explorer, a mindfulness-based SEL program that can be used in classrooms or at home. Learn more >
- SEL VT: The AOE recently released a new virtual platform that includes resources for building SEL skills. SEL VT can be shared with students for self-directed learning and teachers can sign up for a free account to facilitate lessons. Learn more >
Professional Learning Opportunities
While the T&L team cannot vet the quality of all professional learning opportunities, we do select those that align with the district’s strategic goals of deeper learning, equity, and engagement to highlight here. If you have a workshop, training, course, or other professional learning opportunity that has been especially impactful for you, please email this information to Jocelyn Fletcher Scheuch so that it can be highlighted here. Additionally, please let Jocelyn know if you attend one of these training sessions.
An Introduction to K-12 Competency-Based Education Recorded webinar that answers common questions about what competency-based education is, why it’s important, and what policies are needed to enable the shift to CBE systems. Joined by a Mastery Instructional Coach and a Youth Ambassador from the Young Women’s Leadership School of Astoria, in New York City, we will also examine what it looks like in practice in schools and discuss professional learning resources for transitioning to a competency-based approach.
Language Acquisition Program
We welcome all students in the Burlington School district including their heritage languages.
The Language Acquisition program is a part of Burlington School District (VT) programming. Our classes provide instruction in community-spoken languages. Active multilingualism is proven to enhance learning, well-being, and community cohesion. Additionally, students can earn Vermont's Seal of bi-literacy by attending our classes and passing an exam. Fall 2021 language classes included Swahili, Bosnian, Nepali, Kirundi, Russian and Arabic. LAP classes are a wonderful addition to the regularly offered Chinese, French, Spanish, German, Latin, and English classes. For more information please visit tinyurl.com/bsdvtLAP.
Please contact Dr. Vitaliy Kulapin- Виталий Кулапин at vkulapin@bsdvt.org for more information.
Recommended Reading
- A Pernicious Myth: Basics Before Deeper Learning (Education Week)
What Happened When My School Started to Dismantle White Supremacy Culture (NexGen Learning)
Teaching with an Anti-Racist Lens (NEA Today)
SEL and Why it Matters (National University)