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A Quick Note to Listeners:
—- The Question of the Week is supported by Summer Pops Math Workbooks.Principals, when students practice math over the summer, math scores go up. What’s your summer math plan this year? A great way to start is by ordering FREE summer workbook samples at Summer Pops Workbooks.com. —-
Before this week’s interview, Will Parker answers a question from a student in Jen Schwanke’s graduate class at OSU.
The question is: When building a school team, how do you balance hiring for specific skills versus hiring for cultural fit? (Question from Brittney Oliver, 3rd Grade Teacher, Student in Education Master’s program at the Ohio State University)
Listen in to hear his response and thank you for doing what matters!
Meet Lana Penley
Lana Penley, former Principal turned CEO, stands at the forefront of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) movement in education. After a school fire crisis, Lana spearheaded a complete transformation at her school, reducing suspensions, improving academic performance, and fostering a thriving community for both students and staff
As the dynamic CEO and Co-Founder of Unlocking SEL, Lana draws on 25 years of experience to shape her groundbreaking, mindful, and community-based approach to schooling, solidifying her status as a preeminent voice in SEL. She is on a mission to reimagine what’s possible for schools today, helping them become healthier and happier places through SEL, increasing positive student outcomes while reducing teacher burnout.
Her upcoming publication, Unlocking SEL: The 5 Keys to Transform Schools through Social and Emotional Learning, offers step-by-step strategies for comprehensive school and classroom transformation
With 25 years in education, Lana is also a renowned keynote speaker, avid pickleball player, dog mom, and the founder of groundbreaking courses like SEL Jumpstart—a mini-course designed to help educators stop delaying and start doing with SEL.
No matter what she’s doing, Lana brings a unique blend of engaging storytelling, wit, emotional connection, and practical insights, making her style truly unforgettable.
- Book
- Website
- News Story of the school crisis
Penley’s journey began with a school fire crisis that transformed her approach to education, leading her to prioritize kindness, connection, and authenticity. She emphasizes that SEL is not just about managing emotions, but about creating a healthy community and teaching students how to be good humans. Penley believes that schools are uniquely positioned to foster these skills, especially in the wake of challenges like the pandemic and societal divisions.
Penley’s book, Unlocking SEL: The 5 Keys to Transform Schools Through Social and Emotional Learning, offers a practical blueprint for implementing SEL in schools. It focuses on five key areas: understanding the foundations of SEL, prioritizing adult SEL, implementing student SEL strategies, scaling SEL school-wide, and creating a cycle of success. She highlights the importance of adult SEL, arguing that when teachers and staff feel supported and connected, they are better equipped to create a positive learning environment for students.
The conversation also touches on the connection between SEL and academic performance. Penley shares an anecdote about a student named Jose, whose dysregulation hindered his learning until SEL strategies helped him manage his emotions and focus on his schoolwork. She argues that SEL creates the conditions for a more successful learning environment by helping students develop skills like self-management, decision-making, and relationship-building.
Finally, Penley addresses the role of equity in SEL implementation. She emphasizes the importance of creating a sense of belonging and inclusion for all students and staff, regardless of race, culture, language, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. By fostering a compassionate and empathetic school community, Penley believes schools can address the diverse needs of everyone and create a more equitable learning environment.
