By: Brian Randall, NC Center for Resilience & Learning Western Program Manager
A trauma-informed school is consistently working to expand the resilience of their students by focusing on relationship-building, safe and structured environments, high expectations, and social-emotional learning. Smokey Mountain Elementary school in Jackson County is deeply committed to expanding their student’s resilience and has integrated social-emotional learning (SEL) into their schedule in a variety of ways. It is central to Principal Tim Kurr’s vision for the school. “Everyday we speak of our mission statement, which is to ‘be the best versions of ourselves.’ I want our students to understand that hard work, kindness, and a clear direction are crucial to them accomplishing these things. I want our students to feel successful and to see their growth.” The results of the school’s focus on SEL have been transformative.
Ms. Tidwell is an incredible 1st grade teacher who has implemented a morning meeting time the school calls WIN (What I Need) time. WIN time has two components: 1) explicit SEL instruction and 2) dedicated goal-setting time. “Overall WIN time has helped us become a team because we can use the lessons on empathy and perseverance. Talking about how we don’t give up and that’s how we grow.”
One secret ingredient to this initiative is that students are helping to develop lessons. The primary lesson designer is Vicky Doll, a vibrant and passionate third grade teacher. She works with her students on the content of upcoming lessons. The lessons are anchored in ELA standards, which the 3rd grade student points out by sharing: “We look at the text and we find questions that we want to ask. It’s teaching them things that we know are important to help them learn. You can learn about stuff that you need to learn. Perseverance is when you don’t give up. So people don’t give up so they can get to their goal.”

Goal-setting is central to the vision and purpose of the WIN time. The intention is to balance social-emotional learning skills with explicit goal-setting strategies. When these two are combined, a safe, productive, student-centered culture is fostered in the classrooms. The SEL lessons all follow a theme of the month. For example, months have been themed for empathy, kindness, and perseverance. When asked about these new lessons and the monthly structure by theme, Principal Kurr shared, “That is why we are prioritizing goal-setting – they are setting a direction and celebrating growth. The mini lessons in WIN time, coupled with the Tarheel Huddles, are helping our students understand a direction. The monthly themes allow us to focus on different aspects of HOW we can become the best versions of ourselves. Success can mean different things to different people, but we all can be successful.” Teachers are provided anchor texts and lesson outlines but have flexibility on how they teach them. The masterful veteran teacher, Ms. Saavedra, employs a variety of strategies: “First we define the word and we use examples in sentences. I ask children what background they have and how they have heard the words used. We try to bring in life skills and focus on application. We will do role play. We will have kids act out what’s inappropriate and how they could handle it.” Ms. Saavedra is leading the school with how she has empowered her children to lead data chats and how she adeptly integrates SEL. Each of her students have data folders for ELA and Math. Students monitor and graph progress on specific, standard related goals. Ms. Saavedra shared one example of how she integrates SEL in this way: “For perseverance we were using our graphs. We need to go back until we understand. I can use exit tickets for students to monitor understanding. And they know in this classroom they need to persevere.

Ms. Tidwell is also hosting student-led data chats during WIN time. “It helps them have a concrete connection when they can color in their goal; it helps them see that they are growing. When they see they got so many more trick words this time, it makes them happy.” Students are working toward leading conferences with their families which is why other lessons are specific to goal-setting where the vision is for students to lead data chats with their teachers.
Alternating with the WIN lessons, Principal Kurr hosts weekly pep rallies called Tarheel Huddles where, as a whole school community, they discuss the themes and strategies. It’s a boisterous time with students playing games and Principal Kurr energizing the students.
“I see a majority of our students who are excited for school and who want to work hard to achieve goals. They are tracking goals and celebrating mini-victories on a regular basis. Growth is the celebration,” said Principal Kurr.
Growth. That’s the whole reason we do school, right? Smokey Mountain’s future is bright because they have outlined a holistic vision and educators are making daily commitments to achieve that vision. The bottom line is: students are taking ownership of their own vision for themselves and are growing in character AND progressing academically.