Having a teenager in high school, I often find myself explaining why the information he’s learning in school is relevant to his future. Some subjects are obvious, others more subtle, but together, they contribute to the foundation of our communities. My understanding of politics, health, economics, and more stems from the wide range of topics my high school education exposed me to.
One class stands out: Social and Family Living, taught by Joan Moore, one of my favorite teachers who sadly passed away this past December. Mrs. Moore cared deeply for her students, and we felt it. Her class, a holdover from the late ’70s or early ’80s, had a strong “Free to Be You and Me” vibe. She taught us self-reflection, listening, appreciation of others, customer service, respect for others’ opinions and cultures, curiosity, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution.
Today, with content expectations so high, we often assume students will learn these skills naturally or only at home. But they require repetition and reinforcement. Schools now address this through Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and standards like Pennsylvania’s Career Ready Skills Continuum, especially in elementary grades.
My best friend in high school, Dawn, took Social and Family Living with me back in 1996. Today, Mrs. Dawn Merrill teaches her own life skills class for 7th and 8th graders in Minnesota’s Iron Range. Her students learn goal setting, communication, decision-making, wellness, cleaning, cooking, financial literacy, career exploration, civic responsibility, and more. They even create a “Life After Middle School” action plan. How amazing is that! Most middle schoolers I meet have no clue what they want their future to look like.
High school students aren’t done learning these “soft skills” after 8th grade. Their schedules are packed with academic and career-focused classes, leaving teachers to weave these skills into lessons.
Here are a few ways to be a “model citizen” for your students:
- Model conversations: Students need to observe small talk in real life. Start class with a short conversation about any topic, demonstrating listening and engagement.
- Model greetings: Greeting students by name not only increases a sense of belonging but models polite exchanges.
- Model caring: Build community by celebrating outside-of-class achievements. (The beginning of class can be a great time to ask students about what’s going on in their lives.)
- Model frustration management: When a student’s behavior is frustrating, ask them to take a break in the regulation area, and tell them you will address it after you are both regulated. Demonstrate respect when students demonstrate disrespect.
No matter their future career, students need the skills of listening, managing emotions, communication, and repairing relationships. As a therapist, I’ve seen clients who succeeded academically in high school go on to struggle later because they lacked these skills, and others thrive because they had them. Whether these skills are taught directly in classrooms like Mrs. Moore’s and Mrs. Merrill’s or woven into other subjects, our society needs emotionally healthy citizens. Schools play a vital role, and NeuroLogic® by Lakeside is here to help.
By Nathan Swanson, LPC, NBCC
NeuroLogic® by Lakeside Specialist & Trainer
