Social Emotional Learning
Social Emotional Learning
School Social Worker
Tara Nichol, M.Ed., MSW, LSWAIC
School Social Worker, Tara Nichol, works with students Kindergarten through Fifth Grade to support their social and emotional growth in the classroom, group, and individual settings. The school social worker helps families access academic and mental health support as well as collaborate with teachers and school staff on Social Emotional Learning supports for the whole school.
Social Emotional Curriculum
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Zones of Regulation: Sand Point teachers and staff are regularly teaching and reinforcing emotional and social awareness with our students using Zones of Regulation – a framework that builds behavioral skills, language for navigating emotions, and emotional regulation – in addition to other materials including Second Steps Curriculum.
Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is guided by three principles which are developmental appropriateness, cultural responsiveness and universal design. SEL helps students to have a sense of belonging at school. This is achieved by creating an environment and structure that prioritize students’ health, safety, support, challenge, and engagement.
Social Worker Tara Nichol collaborates with the K-5 teachers on SEL lessons that cover three domains:
Academic Development
- Executive functioning skills.
- Organizational skills.
- Self-management skills.
- Strategies that can benefit cognitive thinking and memory skills.
Social-Emotional Development
- Understanding how the brain works.
- Mindfulness.
- Self-Awareness through Exploring feelings and our thoughts, body actions, sensations.
- Recognizing, Understanding, Labeling, Expressing, and Regulating emotions.
- Restorative Practices and Conflict Resolution.
Career Development
- Creating connections to the places we live.
- Self-interests explorations through identifying students interests and careers.
- Helping students understand the path to reach their goals.
- Exposure to different types of colleges, post-secondary options and different types of careers.
Small Groups and Individual Check-Ins
Sand Point Elementary offers small groups and individual check-ins for students who need support in social and emotional development. The School Social Worker can also help connect families with resources in our community including outpatient therapy as well as resources for self-harm and suicidal thinking. The School Social Worker can also refer families to the school’s Family Support Worker for assistance with housing, food and finances.
Department Contact
Tara Nichol
206-252-4648
Office Hours
Monday-Friday 7:25-2:55