Boarding Workshops: Self-Esteem & Social Emotional Learning

 

Reanna Nelson
Teacher Don & Social Emotional Counselor

During International Women’s Month, boarding students had the opportunity to participate in a weekly workshop series focused on building self-esteem. These teacher-led workshops explored the theme of self-esteem through interactive activities and discussion. Some of the themes explored were social media, healthy friendships, healthy relationships, and gender stereotypes. Self-esteem was chosen as a focus because studies have found it is connected to confidence, academic performance and perceived self-efficacy. These are all issues closely tied to well-being in Boarding life.

In the first self-esteem workshop, Self-Esteem and Social Media, students were challenged to look at the top influencers on Instagram and question the types of images they were presenting. Students then analyzed their own social media and discussed how imagery on platforms like Instagram may be impacting their self-esteem. After this discussion, students developed questions they could use to critically analyze social media in the future. Other weekly workshops involved activities such as viewing short video clips, debates, and partner role-plays.

57 boarding students participated in at least one of the self-esteem workshops. Based on survey results, over 90% of the students who attended were able to define self-esteem and explain strategies to improve their self-esteem after attending the workshop. Because self-esteem is closely tied to well-being, it is hoped that workshops like this will give students the skills to thrive in boarding. Workshops incorporating social emotional learning will continue to be offered throughout the rest of the year.