Nestled in the heart of East New York at Legacy School of the Arts, the mission is straightforward: cultivate well‑rounded young people who thrive academically and emotionally. That’s why Social‑Emotional Learning (SEL) isn’t an add‑on—it’s woven into every lesson, every interaction and every classroom culture.
The research is clear: SEL doesn’t pull time away from academics, it strengthens it. Meta-analyses of K-12 programs indicate that SEL participation enhances academic performance by approximately 11 percentile points, and these gains persist for several years. Equally powerful are SEL’s social dividends: better behavior, greater empathy, reduced anxiety and fewer disciplinary incidents.
This is not just a theory, but it reflects real life. When our students learn to identify feelings like frustration or excitement, choose kindness over conflict and empathize with peers, the classroom becomes a community. There’s less disruption and more collaboration, which means more time learning. And when a student is distressed or unmoored, trained teachers and counselors step in early, before small struggles escalate into larger issues.
The challenges kids face today are real: from pandemic aftershocks to social stressors. National data show skyrocketing rates of student anxiety and disengagement. SEL doesn’t eliminate life’s difficulties, but it gives students the skills to navigate them. Emotional flexibility, positive peer relationships and a sense of belonging aren’t just soft skills; they’re shields against mental health crises and barriers to learning.
Moreover, SEL prepares students for the challenges of adulthood. Employers consistently say that communication, teamwork and self-regulation are more important than technical ability in achieving long-term career success. When our graduates set personal goals, resolve conflicts and adapt to change, they cannot only survive but also thrive as leaders.
Teachers should integrate SEL daily with:
- Morning check‑ins, where students share their emotional temperature.
- Art and ensemble practice that foster collaboration and empathy.
- Restorative circles, where conflicts are resolved through dialogue and accountability.
- A Mic Check advisory block guides students through a culturally responsive advisory curriculum that specifically cultivates their social-emotional competencies, deepening their understanding and connection to themselves and the world around them.
- Partnerships with counselors who hold mindfulness workshops, peer mediation and resilience classes.
Parents are also engaged through workshops and weekly newsletters help families extend SEL practices at home, reinforcing emotional awareness and communication.
Some oppose SEL, arguing that it strays into political or ideological territory. That’s a red herring. I believe SEL is values-based, rooted in empathy, emotional intelligence and community rather than indoctrination. It focuses on universal human skills, including recognizing emotions, managing stress, making ethical decisions and relating to others.
Brooklyn deserves a generation equipped for more than standardized tests. We need young people who can:
- Regulate emotions under pressure
- Build supportive, diverse communities
- Persist through failure
- Navigate complex social dynamics
That’s SEL in action, and it’s already transforming students and schools. I invite educators, policymakers, and families to embed SEL into the core curriculum, not confine it to special classes; invest in training, teachers and counselors need support to foster emotional growth; and engage family and community partners to extend SEL beyond school walls.
SEL is a necessity. It not only offers an outstanding arts curriculum and activities, but also teaches students to connect, persevere and lead with compassion. When Brooklyn schools commit to SEL, we raise kinder, stronger, and more resilient citizens. That’s a legacy worth building.
Dr. Falyn Wiggan is the principal at Legacy School of the Arts in Brooklyn.
