Toxic SEL: Beware the Temptation to Become the Compliance Police

Abstract

Social and emotional learning (SEL) is a process for students and adults to better understand emotions, feel, and demonstrate empathy for others, and establish and maintain positive relationships with others. It can additionally be part of the implementation of effective racial equity strategies. Unfortunately, SEL programming is far too often engineered and used as merely a means to achieve compliance and control. SEL has even become yet another way for some teachers to penalize and police underserved populations. The key concept promoted in this column for music educators is for teachers to deliberately act upon strategies that promote rather than hinder equity for underserved populations.