Free TeachMeet on September 23: Navigating the Election
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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.
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This experiential two-day workshop invites K–12 educators, administrators, counselors, and advisors to explore how to design, embed, and sustain SEL across the whole community.
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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.
More InfoJoin 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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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.
More Info
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