May 7, 2024 – Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum Provider Wayfinder visited Philo-Hill Magnet School last week to deliver awards to classes that have made the most of their lessons this year.
WayfindeR provides participating schools with supplementary lessons and activities that combine SEL principles with durable skills. Lessons focus on developing self-awareness, adaptability, empathy, collaboration, agency, and a sense of purpose among students, putting them closely in line with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools’ core values. The approach helps students feel more connected and secure in their school environment while also instilling the mentality they’ll need to thrive in professional and social environments after they graduate high school.
“Wayfinder’s research-backed Core Skills go beyond typical SEL competencies to incorporate meaning-making, critical thinking, and future-ready skills in order to connect classroom learning to the real world,” reads the Wayfinder website. “They align with CASEL's evidence-based SEL framework.”
Classes that participate in more than 50 unique Wayfinder lessons over the course of the school year are rewarded for their efforts by the Wayfinder team. Joined by delegates from the district’s central office, they spent Friday morning touring classrooms at Philo-Hill, handing out candy, memorabilia, and gift cards while also hearing more about the way that SEL plays into everyday interactions at the school. To hear Philo-Hill teachers tell the story, the best rewards to be had from Wayfinder’s lessons were the positive impacts they had on the culture of the school this year.
“When everyone is using the same language from the same lessons, it’s a lot easier for everyone to understand each other,” said SEL Lead Berthina Thomas. “Wayfinder made it very easy for us.”
SEL Coach Todd Rich is pleased to see that Philo-Hill students and faculty are taking their SEL instruction to heart. Not only are they keeping up with lessons well enough to earn commendations, but they’re embodying the spirit of the program and building stronger rapport as a result. Maintaining a positive schoolwide dialogue is an uplifting educational goal that every school in the district should strive towards.
“When our teachers take these programs seriously, it helps them build relationships,” Rich said. “They’re teaching skills, but they’re also driving home the point that they’re here to help our students in everything that they do.”