While social-emotional learning (SEL) is sometimes thought only as showing students how to “be nice” or behave well, SEL's benefits also include fostering resilience, empathy, and a growth mindset. SEL is an integral part of the educational approach at Silicon Valley International School (INTL), providing students with the tools they need to thrive academically and personally. Through positive struggle, students are equipped to handle challenges, both big and small, and to approach problems with confidence. It also helps them build meaningful relationships, appreciate diverse perspectives, and become effective leaders. The ability to understand, manage, and express emotions is not only crucial for personal well-being but also for academic and future professional success.
INTL’s inquiry-based, bilingual-immersion environment by design helps foster enhanced empathy, cultural awareness, executive functioning, and communication skills—key components of SEL. By integrating SEL into the world-renowned International Baccalaureate curriculum, INTL ensures that students are not only linguistically proficient and academically adept, but also emotionally intelligent and resilient learners. This combination is particularly valuable as students grow and enter diverse workplaces where cross-cultural communication, creative problem solving, and collaboration are essential.
Emotional Intelligence (EI), a core element of SEL, has been shown to be a key predictor of success in the workplace. Professionals with high EI are better equipped to navigate complex social dynamics, lead teams effectively, and manage stress. They excel in communication, collaboration, and conflict resolution, making them invaluable in today’s fast-paced, interconnected work environments. For our students at INTL, developing these skills early on ensures they are well-prepared for the challenges of the future.
Recognizing the importance of SEL, INTL is working in partnership with the Institute for Social & Emotional Learning (IFSEL). During onsite professional training teachers learned strategies to help students develop self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making—all within the context of INTL’s bilingual, multicultural environment.
The training covered a range of topics, including how to foster a supportive learning environment, techniques for helping students manage their emotions, and strategies for incorporating SEL into everyday lessons. Teachers engaged in hands-on activities that mirrored the SEL exercises they would later introduce to their students. This professional development opportunity underscored the school’s commitment to nurturing not just academic excellence, but also the emotional well-being of every student.
Considering the rising mental health issues facing today’s youth, SEL provides the tools needed to not only succeed, but to thrive. At INTL, we are committed to nurturing well-rounded individuals who are not only academically proficient but also emotionally intelligent and culturally aware. Through SEL, INTL’s students are prepared for whatever their boundless future holds, both in their personal lives and in their professional endeavors.
