NEWS

Educators from throughout Louisiana recently attended the second annual Louisiana Afterschool Virtual Conference hosted by the Louisiana Center for Afterschool Learning (LACAL).

The conference provides training in social and emotional learning for educators through support from the Mott Foundation, the Louisiana Department of Education, 21st Century Community Learning Centers Program, and the Science and Technology Center at Louisiana Tech University.

“Louisiana’s schools are facing more and more crises that indicate a need for more social emotional learning (SEL),” said Andrew Ganucheau of LACAL. “This summit provides workable skills and solutions to address these issues. SEL can help put all students on equal footing to succeed, socially, emotionally and academically.”

In 2021, the Heinringer Report and the Afterschool Alliance published suggestions for afterschool programs to think about before reopening programs following the COVID-19 pandemic. Both lists featured a focus on social and emotional learning.

According to the Afterschool Alliance, “This is what our field does best. The social and emotional needs of children and families have never been greater.”

Sessions during the multi-day event included presentations from a variety of experts from afterschool organizations from across the region. Some experts included Kyra Rhodads from the Committee for Children, Sam Trevathan from the Children’s Orchestra and Louisiana Tech’s Dr. Mary Margaret Livingston, a professor in the Department of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences.

“As a college and university, we understand the importance of social and emotional learning,” said Dr. Lindsey Keith-Vincent, Associate Dean in the College of Education. “We are grateful to be able to provide support and resources for leaders on the front lines of afterschool programs across the state. Their work is vital for our students to continue to achieve their best in the classroom and beyond.”

SciTEC in the College of Education at Louisiana Tech University serves as fiscal agent for LACAL. To learn more about afterschool learning in Louisiana, email Ganucheau.