This school year marks our third year offering adult learning opportunities to Chicago Public Schools staff. Throughout the year, CPS designates Professional Development (PD) days where teachers attend sessions on innovative approaches to learning. The Urban Initiatives Learning Team has built a catalogue of engaging sessions, including Building Healing and Resilience Through Play, Supporting Healing-Centered Environments, and Student Behavior Growth Through Play. Through our interactive sessions, school staff learn how to teach Social Emotional Learning (SEL) using our play-based approach.
Our professional development workshops feature hands-on activities that spark meaningful conversations about how best to support students’ SEL growth. Traditionally, PD days consist of lecture-style seminars with limited interaction or movement. In contrast, our workshops center on play, energizing school staff and equipping them with practical strategies and games to use with their students.
When asked about their biggest takeaways, participants shared:
“That I need to approach behaviors with more understanding.”
“Helping students identify emotions and validating them.”
“Breathing exercises and games were quick and helped with many skills students need to develop.”
“Movement activities to keep students engaged.”
“Talking about emotions openly and solving the issue together.”
“A fun game can be a socio-emotional learning experience.”
During CPS’s PD week at the start of the school year, the UI facilitator team led 18 workshops across the city. The feedback has been outstanding – with 95% of participants saying they learned something at this workshop they plan to use when interacting with youth!
Learn more about our PD workshops by watching this video!
