Dialogue Series Session #2 - Why Should We Care about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)? Creating Healthy Schools and Communities

Feb 16th, 2021

Angela Hunt

Dialogue Series Session #2 - Why Should We Care about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)? Creating Healthy Schools and Communities

Memorial's Faculty of Education and the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers’ Association are proud to present Let's Discuss - A New Dialogue Series on Educational Matters! The series will take place throughout the year and will explore a variety of topics as they relate to all things education.The second instalment, Why Should We Care about Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)? Creating Healthy Schools and Communities, will take place February 24th, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. via WebEx Events. 

A panel of educators will talk about the nature and importance of SEL; how SEL competencies can be taught, modeled, and practiced, resulting in positive outcomes for children, youth, and adults; and the role that SEL plays in the creation of healthy schools and communities. Participants will have opportunities to share their perspectives and experiences and to pose questions to the panelists.

Panelists include:

Dr. Leah Lewis

Dr. Lewis is an assistant professor and co-chair of the counselling psychology masters program at MUN's Faculty of Education. She is a registered arts therapist and certified Canadian counsellor, and conducts research in the areas of community art therapy practice in cultured settings, and health-related knowledge mobilization using performance methodologies. Along with her teaching and supervision role within MUN's counselling program, Leah has over sixteen years experience in private practice, with current expertise in the areas of queer and trans affirmative care and chronic and acute pain management.

Boyd Perry

Boyd is a school counsellor with over 20 years of experience, holding degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland. He has expertise in the field of adolescent and child counselling dealing with a variety of issues. Working with families to address the myriad of issues facing children of all ages has been his passion and focus throughout his counselling career. Additionally, he is an ardent advocate for mental health and a leader within the counselling community. He has held leadership positions with the Newfoundland and Labrador Counsellors’ and Psychologists’ Association (NLCPA), the Community Coalition for Mental Health (CC4MH), the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA), and the Federation of Associations of Counselling Therapists in Newfoundland and Labrador (FACT-NL). Boyd is also a sessional instructor with the Faculty of Education at Memorial University where he has taught courses in the areas of Learning Disabilities, Inclusion, Special Education and School Counselling.

Kellie O’Rielly-Mercer

Kellie is a school guidance counsellor at Gander Elementary in Gander, Newfoundland and Labrador. Kellie is in her 26th year as an educator, having spent 12 years as a High School English teacher, and is now in her 14th year as a primary-elementary school counsellor. Working with students and the school community, Kellie incorporates various social-emotional learning concepts and practices through individual counselling, school-wide initiatives and resource sharing with parents and staff.