To the editor:

 As a High Needs/Resource (Special Ed) Paraprofessional at a public school, I love working with kids. I also work as a Kid’s Club Para in the mornings (Camp Horizon Equivalent). I get to see kids grow, learn, and build friendships with each other. Shoutout to all Paraprofessionals, because our jobs can be tough some days. Given the nature of my work, when it comes to school boards, support for SEL is very important. SEL, also known as Social & Emotional Learning is exactly what it sounds like: helping kids develop their social and emotional skills tobe successful at school and in life. In recent years, SEL has been treated as a Trojan horse, hiding something sinister, and it gets attacked in other areas. Most people would not be able totell me what SEL specifically is, and if we want our students to thrive, SEL is vital. SometimesSEL is called a “curriculum," which simply means it is evidence-based, data-driven school wide efforts from a dedicated team of staff promoting both adult SEL and encouraging student SEL at school. It does not take away from class instruction or academic learning but enhances it.Speaking as someone who dealt with depression and anxiety as young as 3rd grade, the SEL my teachers gave me was very important, and I get to be the adult my students need now. When it comes to SEL, these school board candidates know what they are talking about: Matt Bruns, Mariah Ring, Brandy Wentzler, and Matt Seeger.

Martin Weber