Classcraft ambassador and principal Allison Bruning's presentation on teaching social emotional learning (SEL) skills, with a focus on autistic, gifted, and special needs students.

1. Presented by Allison Bruning, Principal at Academic Warriors
Teaching Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Skills
Allison Bruning
@emeraldkell
abruning@academicwarriors.com

2. My Background
Worked 16 years in private, public, and homeschool
environments
From Marion, Ohio
Full-time RV with Academic Warriors
Texas certified. Taught in Texas, Kentucky, and Indiana
Autistic and twice exceptional
Bestselling author, archaeologist, historian, publisher,
business owner, speaker, and educator
Photography, art, traveling, reading, gaming, hiking,
camping, and cultural events

3. Academic Warriors
A new way of teaching autistic, gifted and special
needs students
International online school with live teachers and
students from all over the world
Project-based learning
Independence / responsibility
Personalized learning
SEL techniques implemented into every course
Dual learning
Early college entry and career readiness.

4. What Is SEL (Social Emotional Learning)?
CASEL (Collaborative for Academic,
Social, and Emotional Learning)
defines social-emotional learning
as: “the process through which
children and adults acquire and
effectively apply the knowledge,
attitudes, and skills necessary to
understand and manage emotions,
set and achieve positive goals, feel
and show empathy for others,
establish and maintain positive
relationships, and make responsible
decisions.”
Problem solving and critical
thinking skills
Long lasting effects of SEL
training in the classroom

5. General Classroom Techniques
Peer review
Mock United Nations (jury)
Cooperative learning
Foster curiosity, questioning,
and critical thinking skills
Empower and inspire
Independent thinking
Show them you care!

6. Classcraft and SEL
Discussion board
Riders of the Vay
Helping each other with their powers
Quests
Creating content
Open discussions
Awards

7. It’s All About the Team
The super team
♦ Parent(s), student, and teacher
Open communication
Homework
Rewards
Academic Warriors
Personalization
Acceptance
Growth

8. What Is Autism?
Causes
Genetics not vaccines
Spectrum disorder
No two autistics are the
same
Low functioning
High functioning (Aspergers)
Sensitivities
Communication issues
Social issues
Medical and mental issues
Intellectual issues

9. What Is Gifted?
Levels
High ability
Gifted
Profoundly
Areas of expertise
Twice exceptional

10. Inside the Mind of the Gifted/Autistic Learner
Isolation
Fixation
Stigma
You’re not like me
Frustration

11. The Social and Emotional
Challenges of Gifted and Autistic Learners
Nonverbal norms
Inappropriate actions
Fixation
Impatience
♦ Teachers/adults/students
♦ Parents
♦ Students
Literal thinking
♦ Joking
♦ Being nice but not meaning it
Fear of failure/perfectionist
Isolation

12. Special Needs Classroom Techniques
Personalize lessons
Accelerate learning
♦ Subject area
♦ Grade level
Foster curiosity, questioning,
and critical thinking skills
Empower and inspire
Out of the box instructional
methods and projects
Independent thinking
Show them you care!

13. Questions?

14. Stay in Touch
Allison Bruning
Principal, Academic Warriors
@emeraldkell
abruning@academicwarriors.com
classcraft.com
facebook.com/classcraftgame
@classcraftgame