CASEL defines social and emotional learning (SEL) as "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." casel.org
An education without Social Emotional Learning is hard to imagine. It would be focused on facts and skills that are detached from the improvement of self, others and community. It would be delivered in the absence of relationships between teachers and students, and without sharing or collaboration. There would be less possibility for students to reach their potentials as people and learners. Disparity would emerge between students who have the necessary dispositions and resources to relate to the instructor and their methods, and those who do not. Therefore, an educator who does not see the importance of SEL may not acting in an ethical way towards their students and profession.Â