Belonging by Design

School culture is built by design, or by default. In this workshop, we’ll explore four design principles to activate flourishing adult communities in schools. Below you’ll find more information about IFSEL, along with links to all the workshop resources. Please stay in touch!

Nick Haisman-Smith
nick@instituteforsel.net
LinkedIn

Colette McWilliams
colette.mcwilliams@hibaacademy.org 

Introduction to IFSEL

Social & Emotional Competencies

IFSEL's Whole Community Approach

Chapter 6: "Building and Sustaining a
Whole-Community Approach to Equity-Rooted SEL"

Chapter 6:
"Building and Sustaining a Whole-Community Approach to Equity-Rooted SEL"

by IFSEL Executive Director and Co-Founder Nick Haisman-Smith

Click to Download

Interested in the full book?
You can purchase Social-Emotional Learning: Strategies, Development and Educational Impact in its entirety here.

Lesson Plans

Story Swap

What's in a Name?

Untitled Poem by Beth Strano - “Brave Space”

Silent Cooperative Squares

School Values Sort

Regenerative Schools

Professional Development

Upcoming Events

SEL Institute

K-12
Washington, DC
June 22 - 25

Join IFSEL’s Summer Institutes for an energising, hands-on professional learning experience built around high-impact SEL practices that work in real classrooms. Through immersive workshops, collaboration, and reflection, you’ll leave with a powerful set of tools and resources to strengthen belonging, engagement, and wellbeing across your school community.

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Summer SEL Institute

K-12
San Mateo, CA
July 27 - 30

Join IFSEL’s Summer Institutes for an energising, hands-on professional learning experience built around high-impact SEL practices that work in real classrooms. Through immersive workshops, collaboration, and reflection, you’ll leave with a powerful set of tools and resources to strengthen belonging, engagement, and wellbeing across your school community.

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Future of Friendship: A Futures Literacy Lab for Parents and Educators

K-12
San Mateo, CA
July 28

Explore the forces quietly reshaping friendship and connection: AI companions, curated digital worlds, shrinking social circles, increased reports of loneliness, and the changing nature of trust.

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Restorative Practices Workshop

K-12
Chicago, IL
August 10 & 11

Two-day workshop offers K-12 educators, administrators, and counselors a comprehensive model of proactive and responsive approaches for Peace Building and Conflict Resolution.

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Advisory Workshop: The Art & Science of School Belonging

Middle School & High School
Boston, MA
August 13 & 14

This experiential two-day workshop is designed to upskill your practice and amplify your impact. Together, we’ll unpack the role of the advisor, tackle common challenges, and build a toolkit that promotes student belonging, connection, and success.

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SEL Leadership Program - Cohort #10 (US Time & European Zones)

K-12
Online
Starts Oct. 14, 2026

This program supports leaders and educators around the world to build and sustain an inclusive, equitable, SEL-rooted school community. This online program is experiential, inspiring, and renewing - providing a balance of high impact practical tools and approaches, alongside space for collaboration and reflection.

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SEL Leadership Program - Cohort #11 (US Time & European Zones)

K-12
Online
Starts Oct. 20, 2026

This program supports leaders and educators around the world to build and sustain an inclusive, equitable, SEL-rooted school community. This online program is experiential, inspiring, and renewing - providing a balance of high impact practical tools and approaches, alongside space for collaboration and reflection.

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SEL Leadership Program - Cohort #11 (Aisa Time Zones)

K-12
Online
Starts Oct. 21, 2026

This program supports leaders and educators around the world to build and sustain an inclusive, equitable, SEL-rooted school community. This online program is experiential, inspiring, and renewing - providing a balance of high impact practical tools and approaches, alongside space for collaboration and reflection.

More Info
325 Sharon Park Dr., Suite 845
Menlo Park, CA 94025
USA