About LEGASC
The purpose of LEGASC is to support and enhance education and home environments by promoting social and emotional learning (SEL) among teachers, parents, and students. We are active advocates for students, parents and teachers. Our focus areas are CASEL Social Emotional Learning Five Core Competencies: Social Awareness, Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Relationship Building, and Responsible Decision Making. We believe that SEL is an essential aspect of education that can improve academic outcomes, mental health, and overall well-being.
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Our organization seeks to empower teachers with the necessary training and resources to integrate SEL into their curriculum and classroom practices. We also strive to educate parents on the importance of SEL and how they can support their children's emotional development at home.
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We recognize that students face many challenges in their personal and academic lives and that SEL can provide them with the skills and tools they need to navigate these challenges successfully. Our organization aims to work directly with students to develop their emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy, as well as to foster positive relationships and a sense of belonging in schools.
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By promoting SEL, we hope to create a more inclusive, supportive, and healthy education system that equips students with the social and emotional skills they need to succeed in school and in life.
Our Mission
Our organization is committed to improving the school community by promoting research-based strategies among teachers, parents, and students. Our mission is to provide comprehensive and evidence-based resources that help cultivate emotional intelligence, positive social relationships, and resilience in individuals, ultimately leading to a healthier and more inclusive learning environment.
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Goals
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Empower teachers with SEL training and resources: We believe that teachers play a crucial role in shaping students' academic, social and emotional development. Thus, our organization aims to equip teachers with the knowledge and tools necessary to integrate SEL practices into their teaching approach effectively. We provide ongoing professional development opportunities, coaching, and resources that enable teachers to create a safe and supportive classroom environment that fosters students' social and emotional growth.
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Engage parents in promoting SEL at home: Parents are essential partners in supporting their children's academic, social and emotional development. Therefore, we seek to engage parents through workshops, webinars, and resources that help them understand the importance of SEL and how they can promote it at home. We provide practical strategies and tools that enable parents to strengthen their children's emotional intelligence, communication skills, and resilience.
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Foster students' social and emotional development: We believe that every student deserves a safe and inclusive learning environment that fosters their academic, social and emotional development. Our organization works with schools to implement evidence-based SEL programs that equip students with the skills and attitudes necessary to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. We also provide resources and tools that help students develop their emotional intelligence, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities.
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Promote research and advocacy: We recognize the importance of research in advancing the field of SEL and promoting evidence-based practices. Our organization aims to conduct research and collaborate with other institutions to identify best practices and evaluate the impact of SEL programs. We also advocate for policies that support the integration of SEL into the education system at all levels.
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What teachers are saying…
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Virtually all teachers report that it’s critical to develop key SEL skills in the classroom.
According to educators, key SEL skills include:
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Self-awareness (with 99% of educators rating it as either somewhat or very important)
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Relationship skills (98% of educators)
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Self-management (97% of educators)
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Responsible decision-making (97% of educators)
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Social awareness (96% of educators
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Ninety-three percent of teachers want a greater focus on SEL in schools. They agree that social and emotional skills are teachable and are calling for schools to prioritize the integration of SEL practices and strategies.
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About 90% of elementary and secondary teachers agreed that promoting SEL would improve students’ academic achievement. It also found that teachers who reported higher levels of well-being reported engaging in SEL practices to a greater extent than those with lower reported well-being.
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What parents are saying…
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As of 2021, 62% of parents feel teaching SEL is very important, compared to 55% three years ago. Parents also believe that SEL is not emphasized as much as it should be (81%), that it has become even more important since the beginning of the pandemic (82%), and that it is helpful for children learning online (80%).
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Data provided by CASEL