Growing HEART skills: Lessons learned on adult SEL development

Abstract

This paper explores the implementation of Growing Your HEART Skills, an adult SEL program, within two distinct educational contexts: a community of practice and a school-wide initiative. Designed to develop educators' emotional awareness, self-management, empathy, social skills, and sense of purpose, the program aims to strengthen teacher well-being and enhance their capacity to create positive and supportive learning environments. By examining the experiences of educators in California’s Santa Cruz and Los Angeles counties, this study identifies key factors contributing to successful implementation, including leadership support, authentic engagement, and facilitator expertise, and discusses how leaders overcame challenges to increase buy-in and trust. Key insights highlight the transformative potential of adult SEL in enhancing educators' wellness. Recommendations for future implementation are provided.