Spotlight: Social Emotional Learning—Building Foundations for Growth, Empathy, and Belonging

At Hausner, social-emotional learning is not an add-on or a separate initiative. It is woven into how we teach, how we support students, and how we build community from the very first day of school. We believe that social-emotional skills are foundational to learning and to being human. The ability to manage emotions, build relationships, collaborate with others, and understand one’s impact on a community is just as essential as academic knowledge. In fact, without these skills, even the most academically capable students can struggle to thrive.

Our approach to SEL begins in the earliest years, as social-emotional behavior is the backbone of human connection. Our TK-8 program allows us to provide a program that follows a student's needs throughout their adolescence. Intellectual risks require a safe space; the model of TK-8 provides that. Starting in TK, students learn to recognize and name their emotions, follow routines, and develop a sense of safety and belonging within their classroom community. As children move through kindergarten and first grade, they expand their emotional vocabulary, practice self-regulation strategies, and learn how to communicate their needs and resolve conflicts with increasing independence. By second and third grade, students demonstrate growing self-awareness, empathy, perseverance, and responsibility, applying these skills not only to friendships but also to academic challenges. When students feel understood and valued, focus, motivation, and confidence naturally follow.

In the lower school, Hausner uses the Responsive Classroom approach to intentionally build strong classroom communities. The first weeks of school are especially critical, as teachers establish shared routines, expectations, and language that support both learning and relationships. Morning meetings play a central role, beginning each day by greeting every student by name and creating space for sharing and connection. Through these structures, students develop a sense of belonging and investment in their classroom. Teachers emphasize intrinsic motivation, guiding students to reflect on their hopes, dreams, and goals rather than relying on external rewards. When social challenges arise, teachers address them in real time, recognizing that emotional learning is a prerequisite for academic growth.

SEL lessons take place regularly in the classroom. In TK through 3rd grade, students receive specific, ongoing SEL instruction. SEL instructor Eti Zehavi teaches SEL weekly in TK, Kindergarten, and 1st grade, and runs Lunch Bunch in 2nd & 3rd regularly. The content is responsive to students’ needs and based on what teachers are observing in their classrooms. Teachers then continue reinforcing the vocabulary and concepts introduced during these lessons. This vocabulary and skill development follows a spiral model, beginning in TK and continuing to build all the way through 8th grade.

As students grow older, SEL instruction evolves alongside their developmental needs. Middle school at Hausner is intentionally designed as a space where students can make mistakes, reflect, and grow. Adolescence is a time of identity formation and heightened self-awareness, and our program supports students in understanding both themselves and their impact on others. Through an advisory structure, each student is paired with a dedicated advisor who serves as a consistent point of connection. Advisory groups are small, allowing for meaningful conversations, proactive skill-building, and responsive support based on grade-level themes.

Hausner’s middle school SEL program is deeply rooted in Jewish values. Core Midot, such as community responsibility, humility, and Kavod, guide expectations for how students treat one another and show up in shared spaces. These values are reinforced through daily interactions, disciplinary practices, and curricular connections in humanities and text study. Students are encouraged to consider multiple perspectives, engage in ethical reflection, and build empathy, all while feeling safe to take intellectual and social risks.

Throughout all grade levels, Hausner intentionally monitors student connection and well-being. Teachers and students participate in regular check-ins to ensure that every child has strong relationships with caring adults, including counseling services run by Patty Lev. This allows the school to reach out thoughtfully to students who may be quieter or less visible, reinforcing that every student matters within the community. Programs such as Lunch Bunch, led by Eti Zehavi, further support students by providing small-group opportunities to practice communication, teamwork, self-control, and empathy in engaging and age-appropriate ways.

At its core, social-emotional learning at Hausner is about partnership. We work alongside families to teach skills that are not always intuitive but are absolutely learnable. By prioritizing SEL from TK through middle school, Hausner prepares students to advocate for themselves, navigate friendships, regulate emotions, and contribute meaningfully to their community. These skills clear the path for academic success and equip students with the tools they need for long-term growth, autonomy, and connection both inside and beyond the classroom.