Dr. Jingjing Sun Presents at Tribal PIR Day
On September 16th, 2024, hundreds of educators gathered at the Ronan Middle and High School campus for Tribal PIR Day.
Dr. Jinging Sun presented four culturally responsive, social-emotional learning (SEL) sessions. Two sessions focused on SEL lessons for Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, and two focused on SEL for teachers. Graduate research assistants Irina Marinova and Kabe Webster from the Teaching and Learning Department helped facilitate the sessions.
The sessions showcased the community values of “reciprocity” and “resiliency,” which are part of the Pathways to Wellness SEL curriculum developed through project SELA - a collaboration between the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes members, Ñý¼§Ö±²¥ faculty, and educators in Arlee schools.
Teachers were interested in practicing resolving difficult situations at school through active listening, modeling give and take with Ñý¼§Ö±²¥, as well as cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for self-care.
After the sessions, teachers reported feeling gratitude for being able to share without judgment and were inspired to find opportunities to use the SEL lessons with Ñý¼§Ö±²¥. They also reported feeling more relaxed, positive, and equipped to return to their classrooms.