💬 Why SEL Belongs in Your Math Block
In today’s episode, Mona welcomes special education teacher and SEL expert Allie Szczecinski to unpack a topic that’s often overlooked in math: social emotional learning (SEL). With over 15 years of experience and a brand-new book, Their Best Behavior, Allie shares how weaving SEL into your math instruction can build stronger thinkers, more confident students, and a calmer classroom.
🎧 This one’s a must-listen if you’ve ever thought, “My students could do the math… if only they believed they could.”
👩🏫 Meet Allie Szczecinski: SEL Advocate, Educator, and Author
Allie has dedicated her career to supporting students with behavior and emotional regulation—especially those with special needs. Through her platform Miss Behavior, she shares practical, accessible strategies for every classroom teacher. Her latest book, Their Best Behavior, is all about building a foundation of proactive SEL support, and she brings that same wisdom to this conversation.
📚 Tune in to hear how SEL isn’t just a “behavior thing”—it’s a learning thing.
🧠 What Is SEL… and Why It Matters in Math Class
SEL, or social emotional learning, often gets boxed into morning meetings or behavior charts—but in this episode, Allie challenges us to think bigger. She breaks down the CASEL competencies (like self-awareness and responsible decision-making) and how they show up in the math classroom: in perseverance, in managing frustration, in collaborating through word problems.
📏 It’s not about adding more—it’s about being more intentional with what’s already happening in your room.
➕ Where Math and SEL Intersect
So how does SEL actually apply to math? Allie explains that the math classroom is a prime space for developing SEL skills. Students face challenges, deal with mistakes, collaborate with peers, and build confidence in problem solving. These moments are golden opportunities to model and coach emotional regulation, growth mindset, and self-advocacy.
✅ Teach Skills Proactively, Not Reactively
Allie emphasizes the power of being proactive: teaching social and emotional skills before students get frustrated, shut down, or act out. In math, that might look like practicing positive self-talk, modeling calm problem-solving, or helping students name their feelings when they’re stuck. And yes—this is totally doable in just a few minutes a day.
🙌 You’ll walk away with permission to slow down and set your students up for long-term success.
🔁 Small Shifts, Big Impact
Don’t worry—you don’t need to overhaul your entire routine to make math more SEL-friendly. Allie shares simple strategies and small shifts, like using math affirmations, displaying goal-setting prompts, or making space for reflection after solving problems. These tiny changes can help your students feel seen, capable, and calm.
🖼️ Check out these Classroom Community Posters to start right away!
🎯 Setting Goals That Go Beyond the Math
What do your students want to achieve—not just academically, but emotionally? Allie reminds us that math class is the perfect place to help students identify goals, build confidence, and feel proud of their progress. When we teach the whole child, math success becomes more than a score—it becomes part of their identity.
🌟 Bonus: Read more about building a positive math mindset on the blog.
🎧 Listen, Subscribe, and Start the Shift
Ready to build a math class that supports the whole child?
✅ Listen to the full episode for inspiration and practical ideas
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✅ Leave a review to help more educators discover the power of SEL in math
Until next time—keep teaching with heart, curiosity, and courage. You’re doing the work that matters.
