The Compassionate Library [26:46]

If you look around for work by Gina Seymour, you may first come across her book Makers with a Cause, which is filled with inspiration to rethink possibilities when it comes to makerspaces. The idea is that maker projects can help students practice compassion at the same time that they engage in design and creation. The seamless integration of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) into makerspace programming is just one example that Seymour has implemented in her school library.

In this conversation, you can hear Seymour talk about additional concrete ways that she has infused SEL into her school library, including everything from activities to support students and staff with the grief process to collaborating with professionals such as licensed art therapists and certified forest therapy guides. When you hear from Seymour, you'll realize that SEL is not just an add-on feature but an integral part of her professional practice that is built upon relationships at its core.