It's no secret that things are, well ... a bit off these days. In our current social, cultural and political climates, we're witnessing a shift in attitude.

When I sat down to write an article for the NAA Newsletter—which I flag in my inbox, read religiously and forward to others—I found myself unsure where to start.

"I can't believe you did that!"

Did you know the National AfterSchool Association is a great resource for professional development supporting social-emotional learning (SEL) in afterschool?

Did you know the National AfterSchool Association is a great resource for professional development supporting social-emotional learning (SEL) in afterschool?

The Partnership for Children & Youth (PCY) recently released Finding Common Ground: Connecting Social-Emotional Learning During and Beyond the School Day.

STEM covers four specific educational areas: science, technology, engineering and math. SEL focuses on the softer side of development and emphasizes social and emotional learning.

All educators share a common desire to support the social and emotional development of their students, yet the approaches taken by afterschool and in-school educators when pursuing this goal differ. The American Institute for Research (AIR) has created several briefs addressing how all educators could help students succeed in school, work and life. AIR's most recent brief on this topic suggests ways that afterschool and in-school educators could work together to support the social and emotional development of their student body.

An innovative guide called "Preparing Youth to Thrive: Promising Practices in Social & Emotional Learning" has been launched in an effort to help afterschool programs across the country bring social and emotional skill development to the youth they serve.

The research is clear: Employers are looking for skills that go beyond content knowledge. Recognizing the knowledge, attitudes and skills that ultimately contribute to success in the workplace is a priority for educators and employers. One aspect of employability that has gained attention in recent years is the need for strong social and emotional skills in order to be successful in the workplace.