Educating Minds and Hearts:
Promoting Safe and Civil Schools
Measuring and Improving School Climate
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Institute?
- How is the Institute structured?
- Who should attend?
- Can I get graduate college credit?
What is the Institute?
This three-day Institute focuses on ways educators can establish effective, high quality social- emotional education (SEE) and character education programs in schools. The research-based social-emotional/character education work presented here will synthesize research findings and practice from the following overlapping fields: health promotion, risk prevention, service-learning, school-based mental health and effective citizenry.
The institute will provide important resources and ideas for educators to infuse core SEE principles and practices into their classrooms and schools. Effective SEE programs have been shown to:
- Enhance academic achievement
- Promote healthy development
- Develop effective citizenship
- Reduce violence in schools
Throughout the Institute, three fundamental questions are asked:
- In what ways are we already integrating SEE core principles in our classrooms and schools?
- What can we do to enhance our efforts in this area?
- How will we know when we have improved the social climate at our school? What does successful school climate improvement look like?
How is the Institute structured?
Institute sessions are varied and interactive. They include full-group meetings and breakout sessions in which participants have the opportunity to work in small groups where they learn how core SEE principles specifically translate into instructional and classroom practice. We emphasize 1) what to do, 2) how to do it, and 3) where to get help.
Participants have the opportunity to talk informally with faculty and fellow practitioners from around the world during and after the Institute. Ongoing technical assistance will be available for interested educators and schools.
Who should attend?
New and past participants in the Summer Institute are encouraged to attend. A broad audience of K - 12 educators and students in education programs will find this Institute beneficial in their work, including:
- General education teachers
- Early childhood education teachers
- Special education teachers
- Counselors
- Other school specialists
- School and district leaders
- Students of education
They include individuals who want to:
- Change and/or enhance the current culture and curriculum of their classrooms and schools;
- Effectively promote students' social emotional competencies;
- Reduce social emotional and/or physical violence and enhance a safe and caring school climate; and
- Discuss and compare experiences or reaffirm or expand their repertoire of SEE techniques and strategies.
Participants are urged to attend with a group of colleagues who can reflect on ideas together during and after the Institute; however, individual registrants will also benefit from the program.
Can I get graduate college credit?
Yes - The CUNY School of Professional Studies (SPS) at the University Center established in Spring 2003, new courses and academic programs to serve the needs of working professionals, businesses, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and unions. SPS programs, which serve individuals and employers in a range of fields, may be offered for graduate and undergraduate credit, and on a non-credit basis. SPS and CSEE also offer a graduate certificate in Social, Emotional and Academic Education. Please note: size of class enrollment may determine whether courses are offered in a given semester. Visit www.cuny.edu/sps for more information.
For more information about the Social, Emotional and Academic Education Certificate Program or other SPS programs, contact Tom Jennings at (212) 817-7255 or e-mail SPS admissions@mail.cuny.edu.