Many of us agree and have accepted that social-emotional learning is a priority in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic. But what about those who are either conflicted about balancing teaching content and meeting the expanded non-academic needs of students and teachers.

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Tom Mitchell: A lifelong learner and student advocate, Tom Mitchell has worked with children and young adults in a variety of settings for over 30 years. From a day care program for pre-K children to summer camps and outdoor education centers, Tom has facilitated hiking, caving, canoeing, and other adventure-based learning activities with youth of all ages. Tom worked with college students through the Community Living and Learning Center at George Washington University while earning his master’s degree in education and served as a school counselor in both rural and suburban Virginia school divisions for 12 years. He was honored as the middle school counselor of the year in Spotsylvania County Public Schools before entering educational administration. He currently serves as the Director of Mental Health and Wellness. He is presently researching school counselor leadership while pursuing a doctorate in counselor education and supervision through Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia.

Joel Lavin currently serves as a student services administrator in Eugene, Oregon. Joel is an experienced educator who served as assistant principal at South Eugene High School and previously as principal of River Road/El Camino del Río and Awbrey Park Elementary School, and assistant principal of Roosevelt Middle School. He was also a teacher of Spanish and middle school science for 9 years. Driven by a passion for restorative justice, inclusion, equity, and school wellness, he takes pride in providing the best support possible to the students he serves. He brings a strong equity lens and a passion to ensure all students, families and staff are supported for success. He also serves in the Oregon Center for Educational Equity. Joel has been recognized by ISTE, Leading Equity, and The Transformative Principal for his extraordinary commitment to student success.