
Practice Makes Perfect
The SEL Blog
Taking SEL by the Reigns: Mitigating the Effects of Trauma Through an Equine Initiative uses the scientifically researched and supported practice of horses as healers to increase students' capacity for resilience through the five components of SEL: self awareness, self management, responsible decision making, relationship skills and social awareness.
This initiative is a partnership between Hutchinson Schools and award winning Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) instructor Marsha Anderson and her premier accredited center, Equul Access Inc.
Two established interventions in our school district are The REACH Program, a 6-12 academic intervention for "at risk" youth and the Family Liaison program and the students served by that program.
These students have complex issues impacting their lives and learning including socioeconomic status, systemic racism, parent education level, language barriers, chemicals and/or family dysfunction and mental health.
The pandemic has isolated already disengaged students from school and social supports. This isolation has delayed all students but has hit "at risk" students even harder. Socialization needed for emotional and intellectual development has been delayed creating a need for experiences that can help mitigate the impact of this isolation on students' academic progress and mental health.
The students that could benefit from this initiative are the very ones least able to participate. Providing this access increases equitable educational experiences which are federally mandated, ethically supported and relationship building.
Using regionally recognized Horses of the Year and CRITTER curriculum, students will Cultivate Respect, Integrity, Tolerance, Trust and Empathy in Relationships.
FILTER STORIES BY:


April Leach
The goal of this proposed project is to engage students in gamification (game-based learning) using 3D Minecraft for Education to... June 2023Read Story
Betty Skiles
My project will empower high school leaders (both students and teachers) with resources and guidance to spread hope, aid and... June 2023Read Story
Blanca Vasquez
ISLC is a span school grades 6-12 with 905 students. Because we are a small community all students are placed... June 2023Read Story
Christine Geier
Though the Metro Schools have seen a sharp reduction in single year re-enrollment at individual sites (Juvenile: from 40% to... June 2023Read Story
Claudia Bestor
Our project leverages poetry as a vehicle for social-emotional learning. Specifically, we will enlist poet mentors, one per quarter, to... June 2023Read Story
Connie Wonham
Lincoln Middle School will partner with Ophelia's Place to deliver a program of Social Emotional Learning Resources for our students... June 2023Read Story
Crystal Harden
An crucial aspect of student SEL is ensuring that teachers have the emotional skills and support they need in order... June 2023Read Story
Elise Domico
This project will take place at Denair Middle School. Of our 235 students, 66% are categorized as socioeconomically disadvantaged. Many... June 2023Read Story