Harmony SEL and Inspire have merged. Learn more.

Join Leaders in SEL and Education
for Live or On-demand Webinars

These engaging webinars help inform educators about social and emotional learning (SEL) and provide practical SEL strategies that can be used in schools and organizations across the world. When implemented consistently and effectively, benefits such as improving communication and understanding between boys and girls, increasing empathy and decreasing aggression, and improving academic achievement are carried through adolescence into adulthood.

View the collection of Harmony Academy webinars* below. Harmony Academy webinars* are free of charge to all registrants.

*Opinions and content in these presentations are that of the featured guest speakers and may not necessarily be a direct representation of Harmony Academy.

Upcoming Webinars

Creating Welcoming Schools: Where Enthusiastic Readers Thrive and Attendance Soars

Presented By:

  • Dr. Doug Fisher
  • Sarah Ortega
  • Demetruis Davenport

Join us for an enlightening webinar where we delve deep into the pressing issues of chronic absenteeism. Explore the causes, consequences, and potential fixes for these challenges as we bring together educators, leaders, and experts to share valuable insights, evidence-based strategies, and collaborative solutions. Let’s work together to break the cycle and transform education!

In this webinar, participants will:

  • Explore the root causes of chronic absenteeism and strategies and solutions for promoting attendance.
  • Learn actionable steps and best practices they can implement in their schools or organizations to mitigate chronic absenteeism.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of creating supportive and sustainable educational environments for all students, teachers, and staff.
  • Discover our no-cost solutions from Harmony Academy and the new level-up print resources, including Literature Guides developed in collaboration with Dr. Fisher, as we continue to nurture healthy relationships, enhance emotional well-being, boost literacy performance, and combat chronic absenteeism.

About Our Presenters

Dr. Doug Fisher, Esteemed Researcher and Author

Dr. Fisher is a professor of educational leadership at San Diego State University. He is also a teacher leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College (HSHMC), an award-winning, open-enrollment public school in San Diego he co-founded in 2007. Dr. Fisher’s areas of interest include instructional design, curriculum development, and professional learning He has published over 250 books, chapters, and articles focused on school improvement and entered the Reading Hall of Fame in 2022.

Joined by

Sarah Ortega, Award-Winning Educator

Ms. Ortega, the coordinator for instruction and support for English language learners at HSHMC, has served as a classroom educator for 19 years. Recognized recently as the 2023 Chula Vista Elementary School District Teacher of the Year, Ms. Ortega’s teaching videos have been featured in professional development training and educator magazines. She is also a professional learning consultant, working with schools and districts to design and implement learning solutions that support the emotional, behavioral, and instructional needs of students.

Demetruis Davenport, Dean of Students

Mr. Davenport is a seasoned educator with over 15 years of experience. Currently serving as the Dean of Students at HSHMC, Mr. Davenport’s commitment to student success and holistic development has made him a respected figure in the field of education. Mr. Davenport’s expertise lies in fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment, ensuring students thrive academically and personally under his guidance.

On-Demand Webinars

Recognizing, Honoring, and Elevating Students and Educators: Valuing Each Other

Presented By:

  • Dr. Laura Schneider, Director of Secondary Curriculum, Highline Public Schools
  • Emily Esparza, Vice President of Culture and Community Outreach

Harmony Academy is a collaborative endeavor uniting Harmony, Inspire, and National University in their commitment to supporting the Whole You. This growth encompasses the quality of your relationships, the journey of lifelong learning, and the significance of your emotional well-being. 

In this webinar, you will learn:

  • How to build educational communities that support the Whole You as the significance of well-being for all students.
  • Learn strategies that promote an empathetic classroom environment and encourage the consideration of multiple perspectives.

To dive deeper into the content beforehand, explore the resources you know and love now all part of Harmony Academy:

  • Valuing Each Other (Unit 2): Guide students as they learn to value each other, appreciating the Whole Student in all of their interactions.

We are thrilled to welcome esteemed leaders from higher education and K-12 positions, who will delve into valuing each other to support the Whole You:


Dr. Laura Schneider, Director of Secondary Curriculum, Highline Public Schools

Dr. Schneider is an educational leader, consultant, and author with proven expertise in research, strategic system design, professional learning, and facilitation for transformative impact. Dr. Schneider aims to leverage her skills to eliminate opportunity gaps for historically marginalized youth and communities through leadership, instructional and systems design, and research for racial equity impact.  She currently serves as school leader at Highline Public Schools in Seattle, Washington.

Emily Esparza, Vice President of Culture and Community Outreach

Ms. Esparza, a Silicon Valley native and first-generation college graduate, is a dedicated advocate for educational equity and cultural enrichment. Her leadership extends to mentorship and board roles, while her academic pursuits center on consciousness studies and transformational leadership. Ms. Esparza currently serves as Vice President of Culture and Community and Vice Chair of Social, Justice, Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion at National University.

Connecting SEL to Support Student Academic Success

Presented By:

  • Dr. Douglas Fisher, Esteemed Researcher and Author
  • Dr. Christina Cipriano, Director of the Education Collaboratory, Yale University
  • Dr. Deborah Bergeron, Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Innovation at National Head Start Association
  • Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, Executive Director of the UC-CSU California Collaborative for Neurodiversity and Learning

Join us for this insightful webinar, where our distinguished panel of experts, Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, Dr. Cipriano, and Dr. Bergeron, will be joined by Dr. Doug Fisher for a discussion on the intersection of research-based strategies to nurture students’ social and emotional growth and their impact on academic success.

Discover practical strategies and insights on how fostering students’ social and emotional development can positively influence their holistic growth inside and outside the classroom. Don’t miss this engaging discussion!

Participants will see value in the following:

  • Learning about the research and science behind the interconnectedness of social and emotional development and academics.
  • Understanding how schools across the country are working to support their students’ academic success through relationship-driven strategies. 
  • Discovering strategies to support academic success through the implementation of social and emotional programs and practice.

​​​​​​To access our Harmony Curriculum resources that can be easily integrated into your school day, check out Harmony Strong Start, our enhanced on-demand training highlighting Everyday Practices, Buddy Up, and more!

Presenters:

Dr. Douglas Fisher, Esteemed Researcher and Author

Dr. Fisher is a professor of educational leadership at San Diego State University. He is also a teacher leader at Health Sciences High & Middle College, an award-winning, open-enrollment public school in the City Heights neighborhood of San Diego that he co-founded in 2007. Dr. Fisher’s areas of interest include instructional design, curriculum development, and professional learning.

Dr. Christina Cipriano, Director of the Education Collaboratory, Yale University

Dr. Cipriano’s research focuses on the systematic examination of social and emotional learning (SEL) assessment and interventions with marginalized student and teacher populations. Dr. Cipriano has extensive experience working in classrooms and schools, providing training to teachers and support staff, and direct instruction to students. A national expert in SEL, Dr. Cipriano is the PI and Director of numerous major federal and foundation grants supporting the development and validation of novel SEL assessments, classroom observation practices, and SEL evaluation and efficacy trials.

Dr. Deborah Bergeron, Deputy Director of Community Engagement and Innovation at National Head Start Association

Dr. Deborah Bergeron is the former director of the Office of Early Childhood Development (ECD) and also represented the Office of Head Start (OHS) as its director. She has spent three decades in Pre–K/12 public education as a classroom teacher and school administrator. 

Alison Yoshimoto-Towery, Executive Director of the UC-CSU California Collaborative for Neurodiversity and Learning

Ms. Yoshimoto-Towery is an educator and administrator who has served in various roles in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for over 28 years. In her new role as executive director, she will oversee and coordinate a statewide hub of activities and resources developed by leading researchers, UC and CSU teacher education programs, and partnering districts and schools to advance learning for neurodiverse students. California Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Ms. Towery to the California State Board of Education.

If you are not able to join live, you can still register and receive a copy of the recording.

Unraveling the Connection: Mental Health and SEL for Student and Educator Well-being

Join us for a one-hour webinar as we delve into the distinction between mental health and social and emotional learning (SEL), understanding how these two concepts are separate yet interconnected forces for overall well-being.

Viewers will see the value in:

  • Enhancing your relationship with self through exploration, growth, acceptance, and love.
  • Encouraging the pursuit of self-care and authenticity and highlighting how this connects to emotional well-being through mindfulness.
  • Examining the relationship between social and emotional learning (SEL) and mental health, exploring how these concepts interconnect, contribute to one another, and differ in substance.

Speakers

Dr. Aurelia Bickler, Director, The Whole Person Center, National University

Domonique Hensler, Senior Director, Care Redesign Delivery for Hospital and Network and Transforming Mental Health, Rady Children’s Hospital and Health Center

To dive deeper into the content before the webinar, check out:

  • The Harmony Curriculum Connection: Being My Best Self (Grade 4, Unit 1): Helpful Self-Talk, where students explore the link between emotions and thoughts.
  • The Professional Learning Connection: The Inspire module, Self-Compassion and Emotion Regulation for Educators, where educators review the importance of self- compassion and critical strategies for emotional regulation. Great reminders for the start of the school year!

Leveraging Harmony to Build and Inspire Community

Presented By:

  • Ginette M. Hoze
  • Dr. Vicki Butler

Our next webinar will provide valuable insights and strategies to help build strong communities and support youth programs. You will have the opportunity to learn how Harmony SEL and Inspire can help create communities among youth and educators, fostering teacher retention, success, and self-care. Attendees will gain strategies to leverage modules effectively.

Prior to the webinar, we recommend participants review the Inspire module “Teamwork & Collaboration for Educators.” This will help lay the groundwork for a deeper understanding of the concepts and strategies discussed during the session.

In this webinar, you will:

  • Gain first-hand insight into how Harmony can help build community in a summer program.
  • Discover how building resilience for youth can be the foundation for all youth programming.
  • Learn strategies to leverage Inspire modules to help create educator communities in support of teacher retention, success, and self-care.
  • Feel inspired and empowered to address challenges that impact the climate and culture of your schools.

Ginette M. Hoze
Coordinator, Resiliency, Character, and Life Skills Education Office of Teaching and Learning, Hillsborough County Public Schools

Dr. Vicki Butler
Dean, School of Education and Leadership, City University of Seattle

Participants who join live will receive a certificate of participation. If you are not able to join the webinar live, we encourage you to register, and you will receive a copy of the recording to watch at your convenience.

Student Voice Across the Nation

Join us for this one-hour webinar as we explore the true power of SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) from the point of view of our students. We often hear from practitioners about the impact of Harmony on the students that they serve. In today’s conversation, we will hear directly from the students. They will share the impacts of SEL on their daily lived experiences and specifically the impact of using Harmony SEL in school/classroom, in the OST (Out-of-School Time) setting, or at home.

Viewers will hear from a panel of K-12 students from across the nation whose stories will provide:

  • Insight on the direct impact of SEL on students and youth across multiple settings.
  • Examples of how their teachers have enhanced the students’ experiences across the school community.
  • The power of building positive relationships with diverse student groups to enhance the learning environment for all students, as reflected in strategies presented in the Inspire Modules.

We invite you to preview the following Inspire Modules for connections to the content of this webinar:

Certificates of Participation are offered when you join our live session. If you are not able to join us live, we encourage you to register and you will receive a copy of the recording to watch at your convenience.

The Power of Adult SEL in Youth Development

Presented By:

  • Jessy Newman, Senior Researcher, American Insitute for Research, AIR
  • Dr. Katlin Okamoto, Director, Coach-Mentor Training, U.S. Soccer Foundation
  • Daniel Hatcher, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Alliance for a Healthier Generation

Youth development organizations play a key role in developing the social emotional skills of youth and their staff. Staff well-being, their beliefs and skills are key pillars to organizational readiness for SEL implementation. Join us for an engaging and impactful webinar hearing perspectives from national leaders on effective strategies for developing role models and mentors through afterschool, youth sports, and any out-of-school time setting.

In this webinar, viewers will:

  • Explore the Stop, Think, and Act Strategies to identify organizational readiness, specifically staff well-being, beliefs and skills that influence implementation of SEL in Out of-School Time learning environments.
  • Hear about strategies for how staff well-being and capacity building can impact youth outcomes.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of SEL skills supported through healthy role models and mentors in youth development in our new on-demand Coach-Mentor Blueprint module.

SEL Day: Uplifting Hearts and Connecting Minds

Presented By:

  • Kenyatte A. Reid, Executive Director, New York City Department of Education Office of Safety and Youth Development
  • Daryl Williams, Assistant Principal, Southwest Charlotte STEM Academy Charlotte, North Carolina

Join us for our one-hour webinar, where several distinguished panelists will share strategies that support the social-emotional well-being of educators and students alike and the overall impact this has on educator performance and students’ academic growth. Get ready to celebrate #SELDay with these inspirational stories to uplift your heart and connect your mind! In this webinar, viewers will:

  1. Explore why it’s crucial to consider social and emotional learning within education.
  2. Discuss strategies for supporting social and emotional learning in educators and students.
  3. Hear some examples of how the Harmony program’s Everyday Practices are a means of uplifting hearts and connecting minds in the classroom.
  4. Learn about how our new Educator SEL Inspire modules can further support the well-being of teachers and staff.

To celebrate #SELday, we are shipping one complimentary Harmony Z plush doll to each registered participant (in the US only). Don’t miss this unique opportunity!

Teaching Culture 365: Educators Integrating Culture in Daily Teaching Practices

Join us for our 1-hour webinar, where esteemed national panelists will engage in conversations around the importance of teaching and using culture year-round to support student academic growth.

In this webinar, viewers will:

  1. Dive deeper into why it’s important to use culture in daily teaching practices.
  2. Explore ways to implement culture in “set curricula.”
  3. Hear examples of how resources from Harmony SEL can be integrated while teaching with culture.
  4. Learn about professional learning resources through Inspire to further your cultural proficiency.

Moderated by:

Dr. Katrina January
Director of School and University Partnerships
Howard University

Dr. January has over 25 years’ experience in urban PreK-12 schools, higher education, and policy agencies. She’s held positions as a teacher, administrator, assistant professor, director, supervisor of student teachers, program manager, and consultant. Her research interests include mentoring, urban teacher education and leadership.

Joined by panelists:

Doe Kim
Director, Leadership Programs

Doe Kim has spent nearly 20 years in education and has served as a classroom teacher, Dean of Curriculum & Instruction, assistant principal, and principal. Ms. Kim’s passion is to create an anti-racist educational system that prioritizes cultivating identity, skill, knowledge, and criticality As Director of Leadership Programs at UnboundEd, Ms. Kim is excited to share her passion with district and school leaders who will create those very spaces in which students can truly thrive, both as learners and as human beings.

Dr. James Jackson
Professor of Special Education
Howard University

Dr. Jackson serves as a professor of Special Education, in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, at Howard University. Since joining Howard, he has been engaged to evaluate programs and projects for the United States Department of Justice, the United States Department of Education, and countless public and charter schools. He is currently exploring research and projects that seek to improve the students’ and teachers’ emotional and social stability in the age of COVID and other variables that have impacted students’ and teachers’ mental and emotional well-being.

Dr. Fanny Ballard
Education Program Manager
Achievement First

Dr. Ballard has worked with African-American and Latinx scholars and communities her entire career. As an Educational Programs Manager, she is committed to providing the same education to individuals to excel beyond the classroom doors. Her passion for being a social change agent has instilled in the strength factors of building solid relationships with stakeholders, community members, and students.

Participants who join live will receive a certificate of participation. If you are not able to join the live session, you can still register and we will send you a link to the recording after the webinar.

Bridging the Gap: The Intersection of Educator SEL and Student Success

Join us for this one-hour webinar as we explore the true power of SEL for not just students, but for the adults who craft their educational experiences.

Viewers will:

  • Understand how adults’ social and emotional competence can impact students’ social and emotional learning
  • Explore how to develop adult social and emotional competencies to enhance students’ experiences across the school community
  • Gain greater insight into how Inspire Modules are integrated into new teacher induction programs
  • Learn more about our new Inspire Educator SEL pathway that includes modules addressing intrapersonal, interpersonal, and cognitive educator development

Webinar Speaker:

Brandon Frame
Senior Director of Social Emotional Learning, The Urban Assembly, Inc.

Joined by Panelists:

Dr. Renee Gugel
Assistant Professor and Teacher Leadership Program Chair
National Louis University, Chicago

Dr. Geri Chesner
Associate Professor
National Louis University, Chicago

Leveraging SEL to Elevate Student Voice and Family Engagement

Join us for our one hour no-cost webinar and learn valuable skills that can help excel success and Harmony within our classroom and engaging presenters.

In this webinar, participants will:
  • Hear first-hand experiences and receive guidance from administration focus on giving a voice to students in the service of inclusion
  • Value the importance of building relationships with students and families, rooted in sharing their stories and authentically allowing all students to share in their experiences
  • Gain deeper insight into implementing Harmony
  • Learn new strategies that can be immediately applied in the classroom.
Presented by:

  • Denise Diaz, Director of the Family Engagement Department, Clark County School District, Nevada
  • Mary Gilbert, Elementary School Principal, Tullahoma City Schools, Tennessee
Denise Diaz has served the families of Clark County School District for 26 years. As an educator, she dedicated 16 years to the classroom. Denise Diaz was inspired to become an advocate for families and served as a family engagement project facilitator for 6 years. Denise Diaz is dedicated to providing schools with research-based practices and programs to engage families and positively impact student achievement.

Mary Gilbert is an educator from Tennessee with 40 years of experience in the field. Mary Gilbert is more passionate and excited today than when she began as a first-year teacher. She brings a message of HOPE and sees it through different lenses as a former music teacher, school counselor, teacher and now administrator. Through her experiences, Mary Gilbert has devoted time to understanding the importance of social and emotional learning to better meet the unique needs of the whole child for success now and in the future.

Harmony Third Edition Connection: Examples shared of how Everyday Practices can elevate student voices through our Meet Ups and Student Goal Setting.

Being My Best Self: Mattering is the Agenda

Presented By:

  • Angela Maiers, Author. Entrepreneur. Change Maker
Join us for this one-hour webinar where Change Maker Angela Maiers highlights the research showing that feeling like we matter at work and in the world is not a “nice to have” —it is a fundamental human need critical for motivation, fulfillment, and well-being. Enabling meaningful and meaning-filled work in our classrooms helps to let students know that they matter! In this webinar, participants will
  • Develop strategies to help make people feel noticed, valued and needed every single day.
  • Hear from a Harmony SEL partner who exemplifies the practice of mattering in our lives and with their work.
  • Connect to the lessons in our new Harmony Third Edition unit Being My Best Self to continue to support the focus on students as unique individuals.
Angela founded the global movement, Choose2Matter in 2014, with a singular mission to help individuals recognize their value and potential contribution to change both their own lives and the world. The non-profit organization grew out of the impassioned response to a TEDTalk she gave on the power of two simple words that went viral. YOU MATTER! An educator for 30 years, Angela has shared her message of Mattering not only with students and teachers, but with businesses large and small and organizations of all kinds. Angela is on a mission to disrupt the status quo and to empower every individual to change their own world, if not the world around them for the better. Participants who join our webinars live with receive a certificate of participation. If you are not able to join the live session, you can register, and we will send you a link to the recording after the webinar. Harmony Third Edition Connection: Being My Best Self Students learn about who they are, their interests and identities. They learn to connect emotions, thoughts, and feelings, regulate their emotions, engage in healthy and optimistic self-talk, and develop agency to solve problems.

Communicating with Each Other Through a Healthy Digital Culture

Presented By:

  • Richard Culatta, CEO, International Society for Technology in Education (ITSE)
Join us for this one-hour webinar as we reflect on how to support healthy communication for students across all digital communications. As we continue to increase our connections with each other across the globe, it is essential that educators share best practices for a healthy digital community when connecting with others. While some may have focused on what students should not do with technology, this webinar will highlight how we can empower students to be successful with their digital communications. In this webinar, participants will
  • Learn practical examples and conversation starters from Richard Culatta’s book Digital for Good: Raising Kids to Thrive in the Online World.
  • Hear from a Harmony SEL partner who has successfully incorporated healthy online practices into their daily instruction.
  • Connect this topic with the Lessons and Activities in our new unit, Communicating with Each Other in Harmony Third Edition.
Participants who join the webinar live will have an opportunity to win a copy of Richard Culatta’s new book Digital for Good: Raising Kids to Thrive in the Online World. Richard brings vast experience in education policy, teacher preparation, educational technology and innovation to his role with ISTE. Richard is a longtime ISTE member and a past recipient of the ISTE Making IT Happen Award. As the director of the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Educational Technology, Richard focused on efforts to expand connectivity to schools across the country and develop the National Education Technology Plan. Richard began his career as a high school teacher. Harmony Third Edition Connection: Communicating with Others In Unit 3, students learn a range of social and communication skills, including ways to support effective communication and ways to avoid communication mishaps. They learn about verbal and nonverbal communication and how to adapt to different settings, including when participating in teamwork.

The True Value of Learning From Others: Prepare to Celebrate #SEL Day!

Presented By:

  • Kim Mitchell, Senior Vice President for Military and Government Affairs, National University System (NUS)
  • Dr. Jacqueline Sanderlin, Educator, Speaker, Author, and CEO of the Why Not? Incubator.
Join us for this one-hour webinar as we explore the true power of learning from others and celebrate what we each contribute to our communities. As we prepare to celebrate International SEL Day on March 11, we’ll reflect on the SEL Day theme of Finding Common Ground, Pursuing Common Good. Presenters will discuss the importance of telling your own powerful stories and listening to other powerful stories in order to find common ground. You will learn strategies that allow others to feel empowered to elevate their voices within communities. Viewers will:
  • Hear how sharing your story contributes to valuing different perspectives and strengthens the power of one diverse community
  • Gain a deeper insight on how to cultivate and elevate community voices
  • Identify strategies to engage in outreach to other leaders on strategies to help others feel empowered, including those from National University System and SEL4CA, and other non-profits.
  • Appreciate how compassionate outreach can make a tremendous difference for all communities
Speaker Bios: Kimberly Mitchell leads the innovative efforts within the National University System for military, veteran, and military family educational degree and outreach programs. A 17-year Navy veteran, Ms. Mitchell has worked in the nonprofit veterans space assisting organizations focusing on veteran reintegration into the community after military service. Ms. Mitchell is a nationally recognized leading vocal advocate for our service members, veterans, military families, and Gold Star Families Accomplished educator, leadership guru, and author Dr. Jacqueline Sanderlin (Dr. Jackie) is an expert in developing meaningful community partnerships and is the Founder and CEO of the Why Not? Incubator. Her book The Why Not Challenge: Say Yes to Success with School-Community Partnerships shares her passion and practical takeaways for forming lasting community relationships between schools, organizations, and companies. Dr. Jackie proudly serves as a Steering Committee member for SEL4CA (Social Emotional Learning Alliance for California). Join the live webinar for a chance to win one of Dr. Sanderline’s new book! Harmony Third Edition Connection: Learning from Others In Unit 4, students will learn about different approaches to resolving interpersonal conflict and a step-by-step problem-solving approach. They discover that they can learn from each other by considering alternate perspectives and empathizing with others and that making amends for mistakes contributes to healthier relationships.

The Power of Listening With Compassion and Mindfulness

Presented By:

  • Carolyn McKanders, Director Emeritus for Thinking Collaborative
Join us for this one-hour webinar as we explore the powerful and impactful ways to build equitable relationships and create psychologically safe spaces for transformational conversations through conscious, authentic listening. Many people unconsciously listen to respond instead of listening to reflect caring, understanding, and empathy. As you engage in this webinar, you will develop strategies that deepen quality human connections with others that are more collaborative, productive, and fulfilling. Our presenter Carolyn McKanders, the Director Emeritus for Thinking Collaborative, is passionate about supporting quality human relationships by promoting self-love, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills development. Her new book, “It’s Your Turn: Teachers As Facilitators,” provides teacher-leaders with robust mental models and practical tools for conducting productive collaborative meetings. One of her new books will be raffled off during the live webinar. Ms. McKanders will be joined by Melody Hawkins, our National University Southeast Regional Teacher of the Year, who will reflect on her experience with strong intrapersonal communication as both a teacher leader and high school administrator. Objectives:
  • Understand the power of listening with compassion and mindfulness in daily communications in the classroom and community.
  • Reflect on how an awareness of diversity and difference influences understanding in conversations.
  • Increase awareness of how reflective paraphrasing conveys empathy and enhances understanding.
Harmony Third Edition Connection: Communicating with Others In Unit 3, students learn a range of social and communication skills, including ways to support effective communication and ways to avoid communication mishaps. They learn about verbal and nonverbal communication and how to adapt to different settings, including when participating in teamwork.

An Inspirational Journey With Our Award-Winning Teachers: Classroom Leaders to SEL Graduate Students

Presented By:

  • Dr. Robert Lee, Dean of the Sanford College of Education at National University
Join us as we celebrate the true power of inspirational teachers! Dr. Robert Lee, the Dean of Sanford College of Education at National University, will kick off this inspirational webinar, and our panel of inspiring educators will share their journey from classroom leaders to award-winning teachers, recently recognized for their best practices in SEL. Dr. Lee will be joined by Dr. Lori Piowlski, Acting Associate Dean and Chair of the Teacher Education Department, who is dedicated to advancing diversity, inclusivity, access, equity, and social and emotional learning in teacher education programs and clinical practice, and our award-winning panelists: Regan Duncan, Melody Hawkins, Dr. Maggie McHugh, Eric Hale, and Olivia Leone. Learn more about our Inspire Connection Inspire Teaching & Learning offers no-cost professional development modules celebrating inspirational teaching. We invite you to watch our on-demand modules, Be the Spark: Nurturing Student Inspiration, Teachers as Agents of Change for connections to this webinar.

Emotions Matter for All Learners: SEL for Traditionally Underserved Students and Educators

Presented By:

  • Dr. Christina Cipriano, Assistant Professor at the Yale Child Study Center and Director of Research at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence
Join us for this one hour, no-cost webinar where Dr. Cipriano will share how social and emotional learning (SEL) should meet the needs of students who stand to benefit the most – underserved students with minoritized and often marginalized identities on the basis of culture, language, ability and orientation, and income. Dr. Cipriano will present evidence-based SEL strategies to maximize support for all students. Objectives:
  • Learn how we can best support all learners by shaping the needs and strengths of students and educators who are often marginalized by typical educational models
  • Hear the practical significance of embedding SEL principles that attend to learner variability and diversity in all classrooms
  • Explore evidence-based practices that can be adopted to optimize SEL implementation and evaluation in all classrooms
Harmony Connection: Harmony SEL provides stories, lessons, and Everyday Practices to encourage connections between students, teachers, families, and communities. Meet Up and Buddy Up activities are designed to foster an attitude of acceptance, inclusion, and caring so that all students feel welcome and connected. Participants who join live will receive a certificate of participation. If you are not able to join the live session, you can register, and we will send you a link to the recording after the webinar.

Cultivating Joyous and Just Educational Spaces for All

Presented By:

  • Ms. Juliana Urtubey, 2021 CCSSO National Teacher of the Year
Now more than ever, students need opportunities to thrive in spaces with strong student and teacher connections. But what are some innovative and unique approaches to authentically engage the community back together? Engage in this one hour no-cost webinar where the 2021 CCSSO National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey will share inspirational examples and stories that illustrate how creating joyous and just spaces are critical and beneficial for students, staff and parents in your school communities Join us for this one hour no-cost webinar where the 2021 CCSSO National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey will share inspirational examples and stories that illustrate how creating joyous and just spaces are critical and beneficial for students, staff and parents in your school communities. Objectives:
  • Hear strategies to understand if learning spaces are inclusive and equity for all students.
  • Learn how to apply different lenses for healthy relationship building with students, families, and communities.
  • Determine which strategies are best suited to meet students where they are in terms of academic learning and social and emotional development.
Inspire Connection: Inspire Teaching & Learning offers no cost professional development modules celebrating inspirational teaching. We invite you to watch our on-demand modules, Be the Spark: Nurturing Student Inspiration, Teaching Students Empathy, Strategies for Engaging with Parents for connections to this webinar. Participants who join live will receive a certificate of participation. If you are not able to join the live session, you can register, and we will send you a link to the recording after the webinar. (Photo Credit: Melissa Esparza)

Supporting School and Teacher Leaders to Rebuild Community Through Harmony

Presented By:

  • Dr. Doug Fisher, Esteemed Author

Panelists:

  • Ms. Larryelle Phillips, Harmony SEL Strategic Accounts Advisor
  • Mr. Josh Pauly, Harmony SEL Ambassador
Much uncertainty still exists as students, educators, and families transition into the 2021-2022 school year. Research shows that strong relationships within the school community can help mitigate the effects of this uncertainty. Join us for this one-hour, no-cost webinar where esteemed author Dr. Doug Fisher will share recommended strategies that educators can use to support rebuilding school communities with students, families, and colleagues. Harmony SEL Ambassador Mr. Josh Pauly and Harmony SEL Strategic Accounts Advisor Ms. Larryelle Phillips will highlight approaches that partner districts are taking to rebuild communities and share resources aligned with this research in our newly released Back-to-School Resource Toolkits. Our ambassadors will also share a sneak peek of Harmony SEL Third Edition. Objectives:
  • Identify research-based strategies to rebuild your school community impacted by school disruptions, COVID-19, and social unrest over the past year.
  • Understand how district partners leverage the power of Harmony and SEL to rebuild communities.
  • Review Harmony SEL and Inspire Teaching & Learning resources that are highlighted in our Back-to-School Resource Toolkits, aligning with the research-based practices.
  • Get a sneak peek of Harmony SEL Third Edition, highlighting our new features rolling out this school year to continue to support community, equity, and inclusion in our communities.

Rebuilding Our Communities: Harmony and Inspire Resources for Student and Educator Support

Presented By:

  • Nick Yoder, Ph.D., Sr. Director of Research and Professional Learning
  • Jakotora Tjoutuku, Harmony SEL Ambassador
  • Veronica Calvo, Sr. Manager of Partnerships
As educators, students, and out-of-school time programs kick off a new school year, we want to rebuild a sense of community. Harmony SEL and Inspire Teaching & Learning have collaborated on two toolkits that give schools and organizations the resources and insights you need to help students and staff feel safe, valued, and understood. In this webinar, members of the Harmony and Inspire team guide attendees through strategies and activities in the Rebuilding Our Communities back-to-school toolkits.

Stronger Together: Affirming and Reconnecting with Our Students, Families, and Communities

Presented By:

  • Dr. Susan Green, Senior Administrator of SEL and Design, New York City Department of Education
  • Jessy Cuddy, Senior Director, Learning & Practice, Communities in Schools
  • Jacqueline Stedman, Senior Program Manager, Learning and Development, Communities in Schools

Host:

  • Lauren Puzen, National Director, Harmony SEL
Join us for this one hour, no-cost webinar where Harmony SEL Director Lauren Puzen will host an engaging conversation with Dr. Susan Green from NYCDOE and Jaqueline Stedman & Jessy Cuddy of Communities in Schools. Their conversation will focus on research-based strategies to engage with and empower our students, teachers, families, and communities as we reconnect in the fall and bring attention to diversity and inclusion in our schools and communities. Objectives:
  • Rethink and refine strategies for connecting with students, families, and communities, particularly after the trauma so many have experienced as a result of COVID-19 and the disruptive schooling for many students this past year.
  • Discover strategies to move from a deficit model to a strengths model in our interactions with students and families.
  • Understand the positive impact of cultural humility and power sharing.
Harmony Connection: Harmony SEL provides Stories, Lessons, and Everyday Practices to encourage connections between students, teachers, families, and communities. Meet Up and Buddy Up activities are designed to foster an attitude of acceptance, inclusion, and caring so that all students feel welcome and connected. Participants who join live will receive a certificate of participation. If you are not able to join the live session, you can register, and we will send you a link to the recording after the webinar.

Tell Your Story Before They Do

Presented By:

  • Nate Howard, Inspirational Speaker, Poet and Social Entrepreneur
In this webinar, viewers will:
  1. Gain a deeper understanding of Transformative Social Emotional Learning (SEL) for Educators.
  2. Be introduced to new strategies for EdTech and gamification to engage students at a deeper level.
  3. Learn how poetry and narrative therapy can support issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

It’s Time to Celebrate What We’ve Accomplished and Be Inspired for the School Year Ahead!

Presented By:

  • Dr. Sara Rimm-Kaufman, Commonwealth Professor of Education at the University of Virginia

Panelists:

  • Sarah Frayer an award-winning teacher, education consultant, and public speaker with over 10 years of experience as a teacher
  • Whitney Green an award-winning school counselor in Maryland
  • Alejandro Diasgranados a fourth- and fifth-grade teacher in Washington DC. And recently the 2020 National University Teacher of the Year
  • Dr. Monica Loyce, principal of Thurgood Marshall Elementary School in Chula Vista, CA
Objectives: Reflect on the incredible journey educators have taken in the 2020-2021 school year and celebrate all that has been accomplished in Prek-12th education during a once in a lifetime pandemic. Think about the renewed focus on the importance of Social Emotional Learning as a result of the trauma so many experienced and social unrest nationwide. Identify all that you know about SEL to approach the challenges that lie ahead so that you feel prepared and ready for a successful year with HarmonySEL and other resources in your toolkit.

Bridging SEL Assessments and Programs: Educators Speak on Using Harmony and Panorama

Presented By:

  • John A. Pickens, III, Interim Program Manager, Harmony SEL
  • Tanya Thompson, Project Coordinator, Broward County Public Schools
  • Vivianne Jenkins, SEL Specialist, Broward County Public Schools
  • Juany Valdespino-Gaytán, Executive Director of Engagement Services, Dallas ISD
  • Aileen Mokuria, SEL Professional Development Manager, Dallas ISD
  • Dr. Susan M. Green, Senior Administrator of SEL and Design, New York City Department of Education
Implementing successful systemic social and emotional learning (SEL) relies on evidence-based programs and best practices as well as a strong foundation of actionable data and assessment. Harmony SEL co-hosted an interactive panel discussion with SEL assessment provider Panorama and Harmony educators to explore how SEL programs and tools help build a bridge between implementation and assessment.

Intersection of Greatness: How SEL Can Improve Climate and Mitigate the Effects of Trauma

Presented By:

  • Dr. Barzanna White, District School Psychologist and School Climate Transformation Grant Director, Caddo Parish Schools, Louisiana
As students are returning to in-person learning, we know that Covid-19 has had an impact on so children and families. Many educators and school leaders are seeking additional resources to support the educational and social emotional challenges the pandemic has caused for so many. During this hour-long no cost webinar, School Psychologist Dr. Barzanna White will address how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) can have a tremendous impact on childhood learning. Dr. White will review the research behind how the brain functions from trauma. With her years of experience in supporting students in crisis, Dr. White will share how Social Emotional Learning tools such as Harmony SEL can help mitigate the impact of trauma. Professional development about trauma can also provide educators with the knowledge and skills needed to support students impacted by trauma. A strong SEL focus will help overcome the tremendous challenges presented by Covid-19 and lead to a healthier school environment. We recommended viewing our no-cost Inspire modules to learn more about trauma informed instruction: Supporting Trauma Exposed Students & Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Students.

Building Student Friendships Across the Racial Divide

Presented By:

  • Dr. Melissa Collins, 2nd grade teacher, Memphis, Tennessee
  • Mr. Michael Dunlea, 3rd grade teacher, Tabernacle, New Jersey
In this one-hour webinar, two award-winning educators Dr. Melissa Collins and Mr. Michael Dunlea will share how they have maximized HarmonySEL activities to achieve learning experiences that build both empathy and understanding. Participants will learn strategies to foster relationships and connect with a diverse group of students and others. The presenters will also share how their students’ perspectives continue to evolve on race relations given the current events that underscore inequities and continued protests to create more equitable institutions. You will not want to miss this inspirational story of how two classrooms with young students from very different backgrounds have collaborated and developed lifelong friendships, while learning how to advocate for equity for all.

Shining a Bright Light on Educator SEL

Presented By:

  • Dr. Patricia (Tish) Jennings, Professor of Education, University of Virginia

Panelists:

  • Tom Whisinnand, National University Grand Prize Teacher Award Winner 2019
  • Alejandro Diasgranados, DC Teacher of the Year 2020, Top 4 NTOY 2021 Finalist
  • Dr. Lori Piowlski, Acting Dean and Chair of the Teacher Education Department at National University
As we prepare to celebrate international #SELday, we invite you to join us for our next one-hour, no-cost webinar. Dr. Patricia (Tish) Jennings, Professor of Education at the University of Virginia, will moderate a panel with our award-winning teachers to share the importance of SEL for educators and the ways in which the pandemic and social unrest in our communities have influenced educator well-being.

Applied Improv for SEL and Trauma-Informed Practices

Presented By:

  • Christiana Frank, Consultant, Trainer, Speaker
In this one hour, no-cost webinar, educator and trainer Christiana Frank will share how Applied Improvisation tools positively impact students who have experienced trauma or need support in social-emotional skills.

Looking into the 2021 SEL Telescope

Presented By:

  • Dr. Nick Yoder, Director of Strategic Initiatives at Harmony SEL

Panelists:

  • Janna Moyer, SEL Specialist, Washoe
  • Dr. Simyka Carlton SEL Coordinator, Nashville
As we look ahead in our telescope, we see a new way of interacting on the horizon. A way of interacting that takes our learning, our growth, our pain, our loss, and our healing into account. In this one hour, no-cost webinar, join moderator Dr. Nick Yoder in a discussion with SEL expert practitioners about what they see in the 2021 SEL telescope.

The Neuroscience of Stress

Presented By:

  • Dr. Victor Carrion, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Stanford
  • Chi Kim, CEO of Pure Edge, Inc, and CASEL Board of Directors
Stanford Lead Researcher Dr. Victor Carrion will discuss the neuroscience of stress and anxiety and the impact on children and educators. Ms. Chi Kim will share the benefits of integrating mindfulness and yoga to reduce stress, improve focus and support social and emotional development. Please join this webinar to learn about the biological impact of stress and tips for healthy stress management.

Engaging in SEL Through Visual Arts Exploration

Presented By:

  • Jonathan Juravich
Join award-winning arts teacher Jonathan Juravich, as he shares how visual art experiences can prompt important SEL discussions, SEL can lead to rich art-making experiences for students and visual art experiences can lead to community building.

Starting Again: Parent Connections After School Closures

Presented By:

  • Dr. Mary Conage, Director of Special Projects, University of Florida
In this webinar, we’ll discuss the power of making social-emotional connections with families; consider ways to be intentional in planning for a “new normal” with family engagement and identify specific actions to facilitate authentic and ongoing family partnerships.

Reopening Schools with a Focus on SEL and Equity Webinar Series

This five-part webinar series for educational leaders will address strategies for trauma response to meet the social and emotional needs of students, staff, and communities. Founded in 2005, the National Center for Urban School Transformation (NCUST) is dedicated to helping urban school districts and their partners transform urban schools into spaces where all students achieve academic proficiency, demonstrate a love of learning, and graduate well prepared to succeed in post-secondary education, the workplace and their communities. Watch 5 Part Series

The Contrasting Realities of Reopening Schools: Understanding Inequities to Support the Whole Child

Presented By:

  • Linda Darling Hammond, Doug Fisher and Tyrone Howard

Moderator: Jackie Jodl

How to be an inspiring educator while facing challenges related to historic and current inequity, new procedures required for the reopening of schools, and the need for distance and blended instruction.

SEL and STEM: Building Empathy to Help Solve World Problems

Presented By:

  • Michael Soskil, Author, Teacher, Speaker, 2016 Global Teacher Prize Top 10
In this webinar, you’ll learn the purpose behind Social-Emotional Learning, why it is critical, how STEM is integrated and how to get started.

Emotional Intelligence and Resiliency: Teaching during Covid-19

Presented By:

  • Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa, 2014 Florida Teacher of the Year and Top-4 Finalist, National Teacher of the Year
In this webinar, you’ll receive various tools, tips and advice for teaching and emotional learning during Covid-19.

Supporting the Whole Child in a Time of Crisis

Presented By:

  • Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond
On May 12, Dr. Hammond shared insights and strategies for supporting the whole child and their families as a unique educator during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Strategies for Supporting Diverse Learners in a Digital World

Presented By:

  • Leah Juelke, 2019 North Dakota Teacher Award State Winner
In this webinar, you’ll learn practical ways to support, understand, and build connections in your multi-cultural classroom using digital tools either in the classroom or in remote learning settings.

Mindfulness for Educators

Presented By:

  • Christopher S. Reina, Ph.D. President and Founder Leading Without Ego, LLC
In this webinar, you’ll learn how educators can cultivate greater mindfulness within themselves and their students will offer specific strategies to harness the power of mindfulness to increase well-being and classroom engagement.

Permission To Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive

Presented By:

  • Dr. Marc Brackett, Founding Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence

A Teacher’s Purpose: What the World Needs Now

Presented By:

  • Tom Whisinnand, 2019 Grand Prize Teacher Award Winner
In this webinar, Tom Whisinnand, a.k.a. Mr. Whiz, reflects on how caring learning environments have transformed learning spaces in his classroom and beyond. Mr. Whiz knows teachers are the key to our future. In this engaging presentation, he will inspire educators to continue changing the world.

Caring Beyond Expectations

Presented By:

  • Dr. Brian McDaniel, 2018 California Teacher of the Year and 2019 Global Teacher Prize Top Finalist
In this webinar, Dr. McDaniel will inspire you to dream big for all of your students. He will share how the importance of building relationships is the foundation for supporting student success in school and beyond. These relationships will help transform the ordinary to the extraordinary. He will share several case studies of how former students who once struggled became shining stars with his care and high expectations for all in his band class. Join this webinar to be inspired and motivated to support the amazing future of your students!

Culturally Responsive Learning Environments

Presented By:

  • Dr. Mary Conage, Director of Special Projects, University of Florida
During the webinar, Dr. Conage will share tools to facilitate authentic reflection, intentional planning, and focused action for more equitable academic experiences and achievement outcomes for diverse learners.

Filling Your Cup: Comprehensive Self-Care Strategies for the Educator

Presented By:

  • Elizabeth Cook, Senior National Advisor for Social Emotional Health, Alliance for a Healthier Generation.
In this webinar we discuss how to understand how our cups become empty in the first place (even when we’ve thought we’ve filled them) and how we, collectively, can work together toward developing effective self-care strategies that are both meaningful and manageable.

Summer Video Series: Kicking Off an Inspirational School Year – Part 3

Presented By:

  • Chelonnda Seroyer, International Teacher Award winner and president of Seroyer Educational Consulting Service.
This 15-minute webinar provides practical strategies and the following key takeaways: Communication techniques that will help foster a strong home/school relationship. Innovative ways to increase parental participation

Summer Video Series: Kicking Off an Inspirational School Year – Part 2

Presented By:

  • Chelonnda Seroyer, International Teacher Award winner and president of Seroyer Educational Consulting Service.
This 15-minute webinar provides practical strategies and the following key takeaways: Learn positive interaction techniques within the context of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, as it pertains to student growth and development. Gain student interaction techniques that allow you to provide redirection in a healthy and supportive manner.

Summer Video Series: Kicking Off an Inspirational School Year – Part 1

Presented By:

  • Chelonnda Seroyer, International Teacher Award winner and president of Seroyer Educational Consulting Service.
This 15-minute webinar provides practical strategies and the following key takeaways: Explore research-based information that supports the need for effective classroom management techniques.Get free resources and learn varied techniques to customize plans for specific classroom management needs.

Combating Trauma Through Student Connections

Presented By:

  • Mandy Manning, 2018 National Teacher of the Year and English Language Development Teacher, Newcomer Center at Joel E. Ferris High School
During this insightful webinar, 2018 National Teacher of the Year Mandy Manning will share her teaching experience working with students who experienced trauma and extreme hardships. Despite the challenges, Ms. Manning created powerful learning environments with inspirational teaching and strong student connections.

EI Over IQ: Emotional Intelligence and The Resilient Teacher Webinar

Presented By:

  • Dorina Sackman-Ebuwa, Florida Teacher of the Year, National Teacher of the Year Finalist, Boss of B.E.L.I.E.V.E.!®, but a teacher first!
This webinar will share how understanding your own emotional intelligence can increase teacher resiliency and strengthen student connections. Ms. Sackman-Ebuwa will provide practical strategies that can be immediately implemented, so you can make a positive impact in your classroom right away!

Owning It – Proven Strategies to Ace and Embrace Inspirational Teaching

Presented By:

  • Alex Kajitani 2009 California Teacher of the Year
During this insightful webinar, You will learn how to connect with students so they feel valued and safe and effectively manage the classroom so you stress less and teach more while you Incorporate creative, engaging teaching strategies into your daily lessons.

Expanding the Vision for Inspirational Teaching

Presented By:

  • Veronica Calvo, Strategic Accounts Advisor for Inspire Teaching & Learning
Inspire’s Strategic Accounts Advisor Veronica Calvo shares ideas about how Inspire supports inspirational teaching with no-cost, research-based programs.

Building Student Voice Through SEL

Presented By:

  • Angela Karem, M.A. Ed., transitional kindergarten teacher at Thurgood Marshall
In this webinar, Karem will share relevant ideas to use in your classroom or site in order to optimize the student voices within your educational community.

State of the Organization Address

Presented By:

  • Richie Ressel, Director, Harmony SEL
During this webinar, you will learn important information about Harmony SEL’s growth, receive updates about our organization and highlight accomplishments, become familiar with exciting future initiatives, partnerships, and goals for Harmony, and review how Harmony is developing new tools, assessments, and resources for our users.