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+75 Page Limited Time FREE Workbook, your digital study guide to implement the steps from the book in your school and classroom.
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+50 Page Resource Documents
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About the Book
In today’s schools, creating a culture where students and educators thrive is more essential than ever. Unlocking SEL: The 5 Keys to Transform Your School Through Social and Emotional Learning is the guide every educator needs to build nurturing, emotionally intelligent classrooms and school communities.
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Written by Lana Penley, a leader in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), this book offers actionable, research-based strategies designed to help educators implement SEL in meaningful ways that go beyond the classroom. Unlocking SEL presents a step-by-step approach to creating lasting change, promoting well-being for both students and staff, and empowering every child to reach their full potential.​​​
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Unlocking SEL is not just a book—it’s a movement toward transforming schools into places where every individual is valued and supported. Are you ready to unlock the full potential of SEL in your school?
In Unlocking SEL,
You'll Learn How To
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The 5 Critical Keys to schoolwide SEL implementation that create emotionally healthy learning environments.
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Strategies to Support Educator Well-Being, ensuring that teachers and leaders feel sustained and energized in their roles.
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Actionable Tools to seamlessly integrate SEL into daily routines and overcome common barriers to learning.
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Techniques to Cultivate Mindfulness and reduce stress, helping students and staff stay focused and grounded.
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Real-Life Examples of SEL in action, showing how schools can foster emotional resilience and build stronger communities.
About Lana
Lana Penley is a visionary leader, SEL advocate, and author of Unlocking SEL: The 5 Keys to Transform Your School Through Social and Emotional Learning. With over 25 years of experience as an educator and principal, Lana co-founded Unlocking SEL, revolutionizing how schools integrate SEL to support emotional and academic growth for students and educators.
Her unique blend of mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and practical strategies has made her a prominent voice in education. Through captivating storytelling and research-based insights, she empowers educators to lead with empathy, resilience, and purpose at conferences and events nationwide.
What People Are Saying
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What a delight this book is. I was able to connect with Lana's stories and experiences from the first page. She has created a roadmap for me to implement SEL for my principals in a way that is manageable and effective. I can not wait to dig into this book with my staff and read together.
Mary Melvin
Regional Director
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“Unlocking SEL” is a transformative and enlightening must-read for educators, administrators, and anyone passionate about fostering well-rounded children. Lana Penley expertly weaves together research, actionable strategies, and inspiring anecdotes that demonstrate the profound impact SEL can have on both academic achievement and personal growth.
Malia Hollowell
Science of Reading Expert, CEO, and Author
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In a world where we seem to be more divided than ever, Lana reminds us of our common humanity as holistic people who ultimately have one common goal--build a world where our children can grow to become healthy, kind, fulfilled adults.
Dido Balla
Educator and Speaker
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Every school leader would benefit from reading Unlocking SEL! This book offers a road map for creating a community of wellness and care that is an essential foundation for a well-rounded education.
Mary Pearson
Education Supervisor
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Lana Penley draws on her extensive experience in education to present a very readable set of guidelines for creating mindful and caring schools. This impressive book draws on research, theory and Lana’s own personal journey as a principal - it should be required reading for administrators during their training.
Mark Greenberg
Emeritus Professor
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The book’s easy-to-follow structure, common sense strategies, and actionable steps make it a valuable resource for school districts, principals, and teachers. Each chapter concludes with a CALL TO ACTION, urging educators to implement these essential practices immediately. My CALL TO ACTION after reading this book: If you want educators and students to be kind, empathetic, anxiety-free, and achieve top test scores, dive into Lana’s blueprint and apply its principles.
Joni Strama
Teacher and Coach
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"Unlocking SEL" by Lana Penley offers a comprehensive, practical approach to integrating social-emotional learning into the classroom. With clear strategies, real-world examples, and actionable insights, Penley helps educators support students' emotional and social development.
Kim Cain
Elementary School Principal
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What I appreciate most is that Ms. Penley provides a plan and actionable steps for adult as well as student well-being. She has first-hand knowledge that instituting SEL for students will not be successful if the adults that are providing the program are not in a healthy mind space.
Barb Jepson
High School Principal
One of the standout features of the book is its recognition of how trauma can impact behavior, offering thoughtful insights within an SEL framework. By equipping educators with tools to create safe and supportive environments, "Unlocking SEL" helps mitigate student dysregulation and address behavioral challenges effectively.
Anyone interested in creating emotionally intelligent classrooms, this book is a must-read. Lana Penley guides readers through practical steps to transform classrooms and schools into nurturing environments where both children and adults can thrive and learn together.
Kristie Lindholm
Executive Director of Schools