Elevating Voice Through Social & Emotional Learning

Finding new ways for students to practice skills as decision makers and problem solvers

“Adults should not do for students what students can do for themselves.”

That’s a fundamental belief at Johnson Senior High School in St. Paul, Minn., where student voice has been a catalyst for schoolwide transformation, driving implementation of social and emotional learning and school climate improvements.

At Johnson, which enrolls 1,300 in grades 9-12, every student has an opportunity to be a leader within the school’s multilayered Govie Leadership structure. Through this structure, Johnson’s principal, Micheal Thompson, has offered students various leadership roles, including running weekly schoolwide forums about social issues and serving on the principal’s student advisory group on school policies. Students also are an integral part of a peer support initiative started by school social workers and participate in training staff in restorative practices.

Thompson was clear that he wanted to turn the professional development model upside down. Students received training first, and then, with assistance from professional trainers, the students trained the staff.

The school’s extensive student leadership exemplifies the deep connections between SEL and student voice. Social and emotional learning provides opportunities for all students to develop and practice the skills they need to become leaders, decision makers and problem solvers. It also helps adults and students to jointly create learning places that elevate everyone’s voice and strengthens the community.