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The Open Session supports restorative practices, healing, and practical problem-solving - and as such is a meaningful and authentic way to activate SEL for adolescents. The Open Session is already a major part of advisory programs in schools around the world.
In The Open Session, classmates respond to student-generated issues through an intentional, supportive exchange of listening and ideas. This opportunity, when held consistently within a Middle and Upper School community, allows students to offer their personal wisdom, support, or clarification to guide their peers to a healthy resolution to everyday problems. Students and educators gain most from Open Session when it is offered within a thriving, SEL-rooted Advisory Program.
Already Running Open Session?
Get in touch (connect@ifsel.net) to schedule a refresher training.
Read more about The Open Session on pages 150-152, Overloaded and Underprepared
Step 1:
Meet online with a member of the IFSEL team to review the process and requirements for The Open Session training. Successful implementation of The Open Session in schools requires a certain level of readiness - in terms of both student and teacher SEL skills and comfort.
Step 2:
The school identifies a member of their team who will be the school’s ‘Open Session Coordinator’. This role of the ‘Open Session Coordinator’ involves attending further training from IFSEL, overseeing the implementation of The Open Session after the training, and being a point person for communication and troubleshooting with IFSEL.
Step 3:
3-Hour Open Session Facilitator training, in-person at your school, led by a member of the IFSEL Team. During this training teachers learn the what, why, and how of facilitating The Open Session before experiencing The Open Session as a group. The training concludes with recommendations for implementation and sustaining practice over time. A comprehensive Open Session Guide accompanies this training.
Step 4:
Schedule 90-minute Online Refresher Training 3-6 months after The Open Session implementation.
The materials on this website have been carefully assembled by the IFSEL team authors for ease of use in your school communities and organizations to promote practices and experiences of social and emotional learning.
Because these materials are IFSEL’s proprietary intellectual property, and in the spirit of professionalism, we ask that you:
If you wish to use any of these materials for a presentation outside of your school community or organization, please be sure to contact us (admin@instituteforsel.net) in advance and to give credit to IFSEL any time you are permitted to use the materials.
We trust that this agreement along with these materials will help you to bring SEL to your communities, and hope you will not hesitate to contact IFSEL if you have any questions. The IFSEL Team Block quote
Offering insights, free tools, and actionable plans, this session will explore strategies to build an equity-rooted, whole-community approach to SEL. We’ll share practices and school case studies that focus on cultivating educator and student engagement and building a culture of care. You will leave with ideas to help SEL feel joyful, sustainable, and not just “one more thing to do."
The Institute provides participants with inspiration and current research as well as experiential lesson materials. Throughout our time together, IFSEL’s facilitators will demonstrate a unique take on ten distinct educator practices that expand social and emotional learning, inclusivity and well-being..
The Institute provides participants with inspiration and current research as well as experiential lesson materials. Learn ten distinct educator practices that expand social and emotional learning, inclusivity and well-being.
The Institute provides participants with inspiration and current research as well as experiential lesson materials. Learn ten distinct educator practices that expand social and emotional learning, inclusivity and well-being.
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