SEL Skills Search

Susan Kruger Winter, M.Ed.

We Are In Oxford Schools

December 7, 2021

NOTE: The following is a first-hand story about my family’s experience regarding last week’s tragedy at Oxford High School; my two children are enrolled in the district.  I am the co-director of a small group of secondary students (approx 100 6th-12th-graders) who are enrolled through Oxford’s Virtual Academy, but meet for in-person instruction two days/week.…

How to Help Students Manage Anxiety

September 22, 2021

The key to helping students manage anxiety is to understand what’s happening in their brain. “Emotions are the on/off switch to learning,” says Priscilla Vail, author of Smart Kids with School Problems. You and I both know this is true. We know from our own experience that it’s pretty hard to learn geometry theorems when…

Homeschooling Insights from a Refugee of War

February 14, 2021

Hi Friends, I’m sharing a post from a mother at my children’s school; she posted this on Day 1.25 of our sudden transition to “homeschooling.” I was already overwhelmed, going a little loco… and her words were a breath of fresh air! She instantly snapped me into proper perspective.  Her message comes from a very…

“Extreme Self-Care” for Parents and Teachers

February 7, 2021

Whenever life threw an exceptional curve-ball my way -one slathered in fear or grief- my late, great life-coach, Rob Berkley, would always advocate for… E X T R E M E  S E L F – C A R E ! If he were still with us today, I’m sure he’d be shouting this message…

When Addiction Changes Your Life Story

September 8, 2020

As the holidays approach, this time of year often amplifies grief. Loss of loved ones, or even loss of “what used to be” becomes more… well, MORE. I doubt anyone reading this has not been impacted by addiction… in some way, shape, or form. Today, I want to share a very important, powerful, and raw…

The Answer to World Tragedies…

June 9, 2020

Today, I want to honor the events of the past ten days. We were already in a period of extreme uncertainty, but that has grown deeper and far more poignant. I think we all feel “it” in our bones: The justice that has not been met. The wrongs that must be made right. It’s overwhelming…

Processing Feelings: Why Facing Tough Stuff Hurts and Helps

April 12, 2020

Several recent situations keep bringing the topic of processing feelings to my attention. One of them was an exchange of FB messages I recently had with Liam (name changed to protect his privacy). Liam is the son of long-time family friends. He’s in his late 20s. I’ve known him since the day he was born; he’s practically…

My Mom’s Advice: “Get Some Dumb Friends!”

December 12, 2019

Last week, I received an email from a 30-in-30 subscriber: Her son is a junior in high school who struggles academically. He refuses extra help from a tutor or teacher, insisting he can do it on his own. He has an older brother who does well in school with relatively little effort, so the young…

How to Build an “Anxiety-Free” Environment in Your Classroom

December 12, 2019

Previously, I wrote about How to Help Your Students Manage Anxiety. If you haven’t read that article yet, I suggest you start with it, here. It explains what causes anxiety, which is key to understanding how to manage it. Today, I want to share some strategies for building an “anxiety-free” environment in your classroom. Obviously,…

MUST SEE: Won’t You Be My Neighbor?

December 12, 2019

If you don’t yet know what all of the fuss is over, stop what you are doing right now and go see the movie, Won’t You Be My Neighbor? The film is not riveting. Yet, it is COMPLETELY riveting. Whether you were a fan of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood as a child or not, Fred Rogers…

"How Do I Feel?"
Curriculum Kit
Get It FREE!

Includes the SOAR Feelings Wheel, Coping Cards, Full Lesson,
& Information on...

Delivering Student Skills in
Self-Awareness, Self-Management,
Social Awareness, & Responsibility

SOAR® in the News
The SOAR® Curriculum

The most critical learning, organizing, and communication skills needed for school. Learn more here.

Who’s Using SOAR®?

Click here to learn more.

100 Gold Guarantee Seal