The IFSEL Teacher Residency is an inspiring opportunity for educators from around the world to learn with and alongside the IFSEL team, to support Program Development, and to be an ambassador for IFSEL’s work.

The Residency is virtual, voluntary and is designed to work around your role in a school.

Meet the 2024-25 IFSEL Resident Teachers

Adam Elder

Director of Counseling and SEL
Westside School
Seattle, WA

Alison Leathwood

HS PE & HS Department Head
Saigon South International School
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Amanda Santos Valenzuela

Wellness Department Head
The Winsor School
Boston, MA

Christina Baudis

SEL, Health/Wellness & Fitness Expert
Georgetown Visitation Preparatory School
Washington, DC

Ciarán Dionco

ES Classroom Teacher
International School of Beijing
Beijing, China

Gennavie Johnson

Lower School Co-Teacher
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School
San Juan Capistrano, CA

Kara Haines

Head of Counseling
International School of Panama
San Miguelito, Panama

Sharon Hansen

First Grade Teacher
St. Timothy's School
Raleigh, NC

IFSEL Resident Teachers will:

  • Be part of shaping the future of SEL for schools around the world.
  • Support SEL Program Development by contributing to the creation, piloting, reviewing, and revising of new SEL lessons and experiences for students. Additionally, you'll be asked to pilot lessons developed by other IFSEL team members. Collaboration with other Resident Teachers may be involved in developing individual lessons or sequences of lessons.
  • Meet each month, and work as a cohort to give input on needs and trends you notice with your students. 
  • Help with IFSEL marketing and sales, by spreading the word about IFSEL’s offer to support schools, teachers, parents, and students.

IFSEL Resident Teachers will receive:

  • A full set of updated materials from IFSEL
  • Free-of-charge registration to an agreed number of IFSEL events (see registration form for more information). 
  • 50% discount codes for up to two colleagues from your school to attend an IFSEL Event.

Application Details:

We are seeking passionate educators who are deeply committed to and believe in the transformative power of creative and experiential SEL to join the IFSEL Teacher Residency Program!

Applicants are required to:

  • Have attended one of the following IFSEL professional development opportunities:
  • Summer Institute
  • 2-Day Workshop
  • The SEL Leadership Program
  • Or any on-site IFSEL Professional Development
  • Have experience writing high quality SEL lessons and experiences
  • Hold a current position as an educator or counselor within a school setting globally
  • Have support and approval from your school that, if selected, you will be able to pilot lessons with classes.

If you have any questions, please email connect@instituteforsel.net

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Applications for 2026 will open in November 2025.

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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.

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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.

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