Giving Students a Voice Masterclass

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Identity, Empathy, and Belonging

Amplifying Student Voice

Step into the classroom of social studies teacher Valencia Abbott, who uses Social-Emotional Learning fundamentals to engage students on a human-to-human level and transcend the teacher-student boundary. See how Valencia stimulates student engagement using a few essential SEL skills:

  • Identity helps students connect learning areas to their own lives.
  • Empathy supports collaboration and conversation in the classroom.
  • Belonging can be cultivated through purposeful curricular content. 

Valencia Abbott

Social Studies Teacher

Rockingham Early College High School

Personal passion led Valencia Abbott to become a teacher at 40 years of age. As someone who's happy to try an unconventional approach to learning, Valencia is proud to work at a high school which allows students to obtain an Associate's degree alongside their high school diploma.

Educator Guide

Identity, Empathy, and Belonging

Flexible Time | 1 class session
Find ways to incorporate concepts discussed in the video into your own teaching using this comprehensive guide, including background information, hands-on activities and more.
EDUCATOR GUIDE.PDF 223 KB

EXPLORE ADDITIONAL PROFESSIONAL LEARNING RESOURCES

Educators Applying SEL in the Classroom

3 VIDEOS | 3 GUIDES

This collection of Master Class videos features educators at every level discussing how to enhance student engagement using practical SEL tools and strategies. Learn More

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Human Rights Focus

2 VIDEOS | 2 GUIDES

Connect your students’ everyday experience to global Human Rights issues while reinforcing your capacity as an SEL educator.

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You have to show who you are, that human self, to reach students.
Valencia Abbott
Social Studies Teacher, Rockingham Early College High School
LEARN MORE ABOUT HER SEL EXPERIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM ›