8.4 SEL Concerns

8.4 SEL Concerns

Author: Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi November 16, 2025 Duration: 42:52

Educator and author Erin Waters joins Shannon and Mary to discuss supporting the whole child through Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). Erin shares her teaching journey and highlights the crucial connection between SEL & literacy development—because our students aren’t just learning to read; they’re learning who they are. They explore what SEL looks like in real classrooms: morning meetings that build community, read-alouds that spark emotional awareness, and simple coping strategies that help students manage anxiety and stress. The discussion also acknowledges the lasting impact of the digital age and the COVID-19 pandemic on students’ social-emotional well-being, as more children than ever are navigating big feelings.Erin introduces her book Wally Is Worried as a relatable resource for helping children understand and express their emotions. Listeners will walk away with practical tools, recommended texts, and encouragement to make SEL an intentional part of everyday literacy instruction.

01:40 Special Guest: Erin Waters on SEL
03:06 Defining SEL and Its Importance
06:03 Real-World SEL Classroom Experiences
11:41 Impact of Digital Age on SEL
16:18 Post-COVID SEL Challenges
21:43 Coping Mechanisms and Solutions
39:16 Final Thoughts and Resources

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES RELEVANT TO THE EPISODE:

  1. Wally is Worried by Erin Waters  *Amazon affiliate link
  2. Our engagement episode
  3. Our technology episode
  4. Book list with SEL topics, curated by Love Grows Learning
  5. Big Little Feelings blog
  6. NEA (National Education Association):  SEL Resources
  7. Reading Rockets:  Classroom Strategies that Support SEL
  8. Reading with Relevance:   a CASEL-certified SEL supplemental program
  9. CASEL.org
  10. Centervention:   95 Social Emotional Learning Activities
  11. Integrating SEL Into Your Reading Block 
  12. Children's Institute:   SEL Resources and Tools
  13. Erin Waters' website
  14. Connect with Erin via IG

Support the show



In the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi pull up a chair for a conversation that feels both deeply professional and warmly familiar. These two elementary reading teachers and Atlanta neighbors discovered a shared, fervent passion for literacy over a local dinner, realizing they were kindred spirits in their mission. That initial chat never really ended, and now it forms the heart of this podcast. Each episode invites you into their ongoing dialogue, where practical classroom strategies, reflections on what works, and thoughtful discussions about reaching every single learner are all on the table. It’s a space designed for fellow educators, dedicated parents, and anyone invested in how children learn to read, offering tangible ideas rather than abstract theory. The tone is collaborative and grounded in real classroom experiences, reflecting a joint belief that literacy is foundational. By tuning in, you gain access to their collective experience and earnest curiosity, all focused on the complex, rewarding world of teaching reading. This isn't about performance; it's about sharing a genuine professional conversation from their lounge to yours, making the Reading Teachers Lounge a unique podcast for those who live and breathe language education.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 129

Reading Teachers Lounge
Podcast Episodes
8.9 Teacher Preparation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:12:01
Shannon and Mary welcome Dr. Ellen Ballock and Julia D'Onofrio from Gordon College to talk about teacher preparation programs. Discover how they design and implement teacher prep programs focused on literacy instruction,…
8.8 Grammar and Syntax [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:56
In this episode of the Reading Teacher's Lounge, hosts Mary and Shannon welcome expert Sara Lee to discuss best practices for teaching grammar and syntax. They dive into how understanding sentence structure, grammatical…
8.7 Supporting Learning at Home [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:59
In this episode, we explore effective practices for supporting students with homework. Join us as we discuss strategies to foster a productive & stress-free homework environment. We cover the importance of EF, the advant…
8.6 Deliberate Orthography [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:17
Shannon and Mary revisit the topic of Structured Word Inquiry (SWI) and discuss the importance of understanding the deliberate reasons for English spellings with guests Jennifer Petrich and Bradley Johnson.The conversati…
8.5 The Literacy Block [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 54:42
Mary and Shannon are joined by Lindsay Kemeny, a returning guest and 1st grade teacher. Lindsay discusses her latest book and shares insights into structuring an effective literacy block. During the chat, Lindsay stresse…
8.3 Affirming Practices with Dr. Jasmine Rogers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:51
In this episode, you're getting a preview of the types of conversations happening with educators in our bonus subscription episodes. This month, Shannon and Mary chat with Dr. Jasmine Rogers, a reading specialist and col…
8.2 Treasured Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:21
In this special episode of the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon and Mary have an engaging and insightful conversation with acclaimed children's author Kate DiCamillo about treasured stories. They explore Kate's jou…
8.1 New Season, New Stories [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:38
Shannon and Mary kick off the new season with reflections on how far the podcast has come, from family anecdotes to stories of former students thriving—like Rigby, a once-struggling reader now headed to college. They sha…
7.18 Season 7 Finale [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:40
Shannon and Mary look back over Season 7 and reflect on what really matters for our reading students. "The right things for our learners" emerged as the unofficial theme of our seventh season. This phrase encapsulates wh…
7.17 Impactful Interventions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:13
Shannon and Mary chat with Dr. Katie Pace-Miles about MTSS and RTI, sharing practical tips for delivering effective reading interventions, choosing quality resources, and running efficient team meetings to support strugg…