As we kick off a new school year, we would like to offer a slightly new newsletter format. Each month we will offer insights about both instruction and leadership and include interviews with top thinkers in the field. 

This month we examine Personal Relationship Building (PRB) and Adult Professional Culture (APC). Our interview explores the elements of generic pedagogy that are most relevant to social emotional learning with Shelley Berman, a pioneer in the SEL field.

This is an excerpt from Jon Saphier's forthcoming book on High Expertise Teaching and how to get more of it in more places, more of the time. Due out in 2023. Learn More

Since Roland Barth’s comment, twenty years of research have proven him correct. This chapter reviews that research, but more importantly, shares the practical knowledge of how effective leaders build strong Adult Professional Cultures through their daily interactions with others. The first half of the chapter discusses the background and rationale. The second half (starting p.12) provides the details of the actions and moves that build it. We have a significant amount of literature in recent decades describing the elements of a vibrant adult professional culture, that is, what one can see and hear when it is strong. I hope this monograph will make a contribution by focusing on what successful leaders actually do to transform a weak culture into a highly effective one.

Dr. Sheldon (Shelley) Berman has been a teacher, president of a non-profit organization, and superintendent throughout his distinguished career of over 45 years. Dr. Berman is a pioneer in the field of social emotional learning in education. 

In this two part interview, A Comprehensive Approach to SEL for Teachers and Leaders, RBT Founder Dr. Jon Saphier interviews Dr. Shelley Berman about his insights into social emotional learning and how educators can start implementing SEL practices that have a lasting impact.