Providing social-emotional wellness grants to PreK-12 educators
PreK-12 Teachers: Register your classroom on AdoptAClassroom.org to apply for our classroom grants.
Transitioning from emergency relief to
social-emotional wellness (SEW)
As we continue to respond to teacher and student needs in the classroom, we are shifting our focus from COVID-19 emergency relief to social-emotional wellness.
Since the start of the pandemic, teachers told AdoptAClassroom.org about the urgent need to support students’ social-emotional wellness after COVID-19 school closures.
In the AdoptAClassroom.org Spring 2022 Spending Survey, 66% of teachers said that their greatest challenges this school year would be students not receiving enough individualized attention, and 51% said their students will not have access to the mental health supports they need to thrive in the classroom.
This feedback from teachers has led us to believe addressing trauma and fostering social skills is key to helping students succeed in the classroom following COVID-19.
What is Social-Emotional Wellness and why does it matter?
According to the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL), social-emotional learning (SEL) is “an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.”
Social-emotional learning is the foundation for student wellness. Many teachers report an increase in student distress and trauma during the pandemic.
SEW was always a priority, but it is especially important when young people are struggling to manage unforeseen stressors. Investing in SEW now will help students heal and increase their resiliency.
What does social-emotional wellness curriculum look like?
CASEL describes SEW curriculum as one that advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships.
SEW integrates the many spheres of a student’s life (self, family, community, school, and classroom). Learning is integrated into both regular classroom instruction and explicit SEW instruction to support young people in learning and applying skills.
Are you a PreK-12 educator in need of a social-emotional wellness grant for your classroom or school?
Register your classroom or *school and you’ll be signed up to receive emails from AdoptAClassroom.org when the next Social-Emotional Wellness Fund grant is available.
*To register your school, you must be a PreK-12 principal or administrator.
Thank You Social-Emotional Wellness Fund Supporters
Thank you to donors across the U.S. for your generous support of the AdoptAClassroom.org Social-Emotional Wellness Fund. Your donation provides educators with the materials needed to support students’ mental health and social-emotional development so that they can succeed in school.
Donate to help teachers purchase the supplies and curriculum they need to teach social-emotional skills.
2023 Social-Emotional Wellness Fund
$750 Social-Emotional Wellness Fund Grant Recipients
- Fairbanks, Alaska- Jasmine Nickell, Randy Smith Elementary School
- Evans, Colorado- Melissa Robinson, Centennial Elementary School
- Washington, District of Columbia- Rachel Thomas, School Without Walls at Francis-Stevens
- Haines City, Florida- Candice Garcia, Alta Vista Elementary School
- Hialeah Gardens, Florida- Andrea Hernandez, West Hialeah Gardens Elementary School
- Tampa, Florida- Zoe Mathieu- Leto High School
- Blackfoot, Idaho- Keshia Polatis, Independence Alternative High School
- Madisonville, Kentucky- Kelly Gates, Pride Avenue Elementary School
- Biddeford, Maine- Gloria Miro, Biddeford Primary School
- Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts- Taylor Knight, Curley K-8 School
- Worcester, Massachusetts- Jacqueline Meyer, Francis J. McGrath Elementary School
- Crow Agency, Montana- Connie Michael, Crow Agency Public School
- Elizabeth, New Jersey- Danielle Harris Lacasale, Somerset Academy Secondary School
- Chaparral, New Mexico- Araniza Rodriguez, Desert Trail Elementary School
- Flushing, New York- Emilia Krauze, P.S. 20 John Bowne Elementary School
- Bethany, Oklahoma- Kaci North, Apollo Elementary School
- Salem, Oregon- Emily Prine, Swegle Elementary School
- Memphis, Tennessee- Toria Randle, Whitehaven Elementary STEM Academy
- Roanoke, Virginia- DeeDee Hartson, Fallon Park Elementary School
- Etna, Wyoming- Julie Dupuis, Etna Elementary School
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