Welcome to Belonging in Action, a series about how Girls Leadership creates sustainable support for students and teachers.
Today’s post asks, How did you learn SEL?
Our facilitators ask this question of all the participating adults before most of our trainings, and in most cases, the answers are the same: they didn’t. Social and emotional skills were never taught at home or at school, and so the participants picked them up haphazardly, and with a lot of effort. Many admit they are still struggling with various aspects of SEL for themselves—but are expected to teach as they themselves are still learning.
Collective Belonging, the three-day in-person learning retreat held by Girls Leadership, incorporates experiential learning for social and emotional skills to fill that gap in training. An extensive SEL curriculum is paired with ample opportunity to practice techniques, and examine approaches with fellow educators.
In order to help participants feel safe enough to explore emotional topics, facilitators make sure to create an environment where mistakes and growth are embraced. “If we’re going to ask you to do this activity, we’re going to do it first. If we’re going to ask you a personal question, we’re going to answer it first. Vulnerability begets vulnerability,” says Hénia Belalia, the National Training Director for Girls Leadership. She knows that SEL skills aren’t easy to practice, let alone teach, which is why facilitators make sure to also show the kind of vulnerability she hopes participants will embrace.
The work can at times be difficult, which is why there is also a strong emphasis placed on delight and play. SEL is not just about deep breaths and tough feelings—it’s also finding connection through laughter, and resilience through joy. And when educators feel like they have the space for the full spectrum of emotions, they can show up more fully for their students.
“I want people to leave collective belonging feeling equipped,” says Catherine Castillo Cruz, the Training and Engagement Associate Director. “I want them to feel like they have tools that they didn’t have three days ago, mindsets that they didn’t have three days ago, language that they didn’t have three days ago and that those things are real and relevant to the problems that they’ve been facing.”
That’s why we created the Collective Belonging Learning Retreat: so Students and Teachers have Sustainable Support. There are still spots in our next retreat April 14-16, 2025 in Oakland, CA. Sign Up Today! Sliding scale pricing.
Can’t make it to the Collective Belonging Learning Retreat in Oakland? Join us for Collective Belonging in NYC, August 25-27, 2025!
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