Social and Emotional Competence: The Key to Transforming Students’ Mindsets

Urban educators hold one of the most influential roles in shaping the lives of young people. In communities where students often face challenges beyond the classroom walls—such as poverty, community violence, or limited access to resources—the role of the teacher extends far beyond academics.

What sets the most impactful educators apart is not just their instructional skill, but their ability to model and practice social and emotional competencies (SECs). These competencies are central to transforming students’ outlooks, helping them build resilience, and nurturing a positive mindset toward learning and life.

What Is Social and Emotional Competence?

Social and emotional competence involves a teacher’s ability to manage their own emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible, empathetic decisions in the classroom.

The CASEL framework identifies five core areas of SEC:

• Self-awareness

• Self-management

• Social awareness

• Relationship skills

• Responsible decision-making

For urban educators, these competencies are not “extras.” They are essential tools for fostering environments where students can thrive despite the challenges they face outside of school.

How SEC Transforms Student Mindsets

1. Modeling Positive Self-Talk

Students often internalize negative labels. Educators who demonstrate positive self-talk can show students how to reframe failure as growth.

• Instead of: “I’m not good at math.”

• Try: “I’m not good at math yet.”

This shift promotes a growth mindset, turning challenges into opportunities.

2. Building Trusting Relationships

In many urban settings, students may carry the weight of inconsistent or broken relationships. Educators who listen actively, show empathy, and maintain consistent expectations create a climate of trust—allowing students to take risks, explore new ideas, and push past self-doubt.

3. Helping Students Manage Stress

By practicing self-management and modeling calming strategies (deep breathing, mindfulness, pausing before reacting), teachers equip students with emotional regulation tools they can use in and out of school.

4. Encouraging Empathy and Belonging

Acknowledging and validating students’ lived experiences shows them that their identities matter. This fosters empathy and builds a stronger classroom community—helping students develop a mindset of resilience and belonging.

Practical Strategies for Urban Educators

Here are some classroom-tested ways to build SEC and help shift student mindsets:

✅ Daily Emotional Check-Ins – Quick “How are you feeling today?” activities give students voice and set the tone.

✅ Growth-Oriented Language – Emphasize effort and strategy over fixed ability.

✅ Restorative Practices – Replace punitive discipline with conversations and repair.

✅ Teacher Reflection Time – Journaling or peer discussions build self-awareness.

✅ Celebrate Small Wins – Recognize resilience, effort, and collaboration—not just grades.