Many researchers have been studying the effect of the pandemic on students’ well-being. These recent research studies found that remote learning has been detrimental to student mental health for two reasons: 1) the pandemic disrupted the social and emotional learning that usually occurs in classroom contexts, and 2) the isolation and upheaval of the pandemic brought about unprecedented social and emotional challenges of its own. In other words, many students lost access to their social and emotional support precisely when they needed it most.
Social and emotional learning, or SEL, is a crucial part of education. It is the process by which students learn to control their emotions, work toward goals, establish healthy peer relationships and communicate effectively. In recent years, educators have become more aware of the importance of SEL, with 90% of teachers saying they value SEL and would like to promote it in their classroom.
But of course, the 2020 COVID pandemic disrupted these plans. Recent research studies found that, sadly, the shift to online learning coincided with a reduced focus on SEL, as teachers and students alike scrambled to adjust to remote and hybrid classrooms. The pandemic has taken a mental toll on these students, who are less equipped to deal with their emotional challenges.
Throughout the country, many researchers advocate for a renewed emphasis on social and emotional learning. After COVID, giving teachers proper SEL training is more important than ever. Students need these skills to help them recover from a difficult few years of isolation and upheaval.
The Rice University School Mathematics Project is dedicated to supporting low-income youth as they pursue a future in STEM fields. The Rice University School Mathematics Project team works collaboratively with school and district educators, RiceUniversity faculty and staff, and community partners to create programs and courses that meet the needs of mathematics and computer science teachers, teacher leaders and students.
Yetkin Yildirim
Director of STEM projects
RUSMP
Houston
Can’t change
amendment
Just a few comments in reference to recent gun violence/mass shootings and the ongoing debate over gun control.
First, I am not a 2nd Amendment absolutist. I am not opposed to common-sense reforms such background checks, age requirements and restrictions on certain types of firearms. On the other hand, banning/outlawing all guns and/or repealing of the 2nd Amendment tomorrow would not prevent criminals and/or mentally unstable individuals from acquiring firearms.
One may recall what has been stated previously in this regard: “When guns are outlawed, only criminals will have guns.” To put it another way, no individual or political party has the power to outlaw evil.
Sadly, and as might be expected, political opportunists/Democrats like Beto O’Rourke would have you believe that they will outlaw/ban many guns and/or change the 2nd Amendment and thus outlaw evil. These are the same people who turn a blind eye to gun violence in cites like Chicago and left-wing violence and attacks on police/law enforcement, as was the case in Portland and Seattle not to long ago. They apparently ignore any acts gun violence they cannot link to Republicans and/or supporters of the 2nd Amendment.
Ben Castillo
Harlingen
