When Alan, a fifth-grader in our afterschool program, started reminding students to be kind and caring, we knew something remarkable was happening. He would say “Do you hear your Wings Leaders talk to you like that? So we should not talk to our teammates like that. That isn’t kind.” This wasn’t just part of our curriculum—it was a spontaneous moment of peer support that emerged from a culture of social emotional learning (SEL).
Stories like Alan’s remind us that SEL isn’t just about individual skill-building; it’s about creating ripples of positive change throughout entire school communities. Today, we’re sharing how these ripples grow into waves of transformation, and how you can be part of this movement.
Download our free Community of Care Starter Kit to bring skill building strategies into your classroom or home. In the kit you’ll find:
- Helpful tips to build teachable moments into your day, whether you’re a teacher in a classroom or a parent/caregiver at home
- Engaging activities to keep kids attention while they are learning
- Strategies for success to keep SEL practices sustainable all year long
Why Teacher Mindset Matters
The most effective character development programs start with the adults. Just as flight attendants remind us to “put on your own oxygen mask before helping others,” youth-serving adults need to develop their own emotional intelligence to effectively model them for students.
We’ve found that when adults openly practice and discuss their own social and emotional growth, it creates a powerful authenticity in the classroom. School and youth-serving staff report feeling more equipped to:
- Navigate challenging moments with calm and intention
- Share their own emotional regulation strategies transparently
- Take ownership/accountability to show that everyone makes mistakes
- Create spaces where students feel safe discussing their emotions
- Model resilience when facing setbacks
- Build stronger, more genuine connections with students and colleagues
The result? A culture where everyone–adults and children alike–sees themselves as both teachers and learners in the SEL journey.
The Ripple Effect: When Students Become SEL Champions
Our most powerful advocates aren’t always the adults in the room. Take these examples from our programs:
- A 4th grader who once stayed on the sidelines, now eagerly participates in conversations, forging connections and friendships with ease.
- A 3rd grader who used to struggle with behavioral challenges, but once realized he had the unwavering support of a caring adult, started encouraging others to make responsible decisions and show empathy by stepping into the shoes of others—ultimately receiving a Behavior Improvement Award.
- A 2nd grader who stepped out of his comfort zone and was able to express himself and work with others. By doing this he was able to make new friends and get comfortable talking to his peers.
While staff created a supportive, engaging, and intentional environment for these skills to flourish, these transformations emerged from students who had internalized SEL practices and wanted to share them with others.
Building Bridges Between School and Home
Afterschool programs play a vital role in strengthening families and fostering social emotional growth. When parents and caregivers understand and connect with these programs, it creates a powerful sense of support and unity for everyone involved:
“Makayla, a student in the WINGS program, faced challenges during her first and second trimester, particularly with controlling her impulses, making thoughtful choices, and empathizing with others. Despite trying many different methods, the long-lasting change we hoped for didn’t materialize. It wasn’t until we had an open conversation with her Mom—who shared how WINGS had positively impacted her family—that everything shifted. Hearing her Mom’s perspective touched Makayla deeply, helping her step into her Mom’s shoes and embrace the pledge we recite everyday in our programs. From that moment, Makayla worked hard to change her behavior, driven by her desire to support her Mom and honor their connection.”
This powerful integration of SEL practices into family life strengthens the bond between schools and homes, reinforcing critical skills and fostering growth in both environments.
The Data Tells the Story
While personal stories capture hearts, data helps us understand the broader impact. In our programs:
- 73% of kids say they are behaving better because of the social emotional skills they learn at WINGS
- More than 85% of children who attend WINGS miss school less than 10% of the time, while the national absenteeism rate for elementary school students exceeds 20%
- 88% of parents say they have noticed improvements in their children’s academic engagement since attending WINGS
- 88% of WINGS parents notice behavior improvements in their children when attending WINGS
Looking Forward
This year as we celebrate SEL Day, we’re reminded that the most powerful changes often start small–with one student practicing empathy, one teacher making time to strengthen a relationship with a student and their family, one parent bringing the practices home.
These individual actions, multiplied across classrooms, schools, and communities, create the foundation for lasting change. They show us that social and emotional awareness isn’t just a program or curriculum–it’s a movement toward more caring, connected, and capable communities.
Join us in celebrating and expanding this movement. Together, we can create schools where every child feels seen, supported, and ready to soar.
