Social and Emotional Character Development in Serbian Primary Schools: A Community of Practice Framework

Through the Social and Emotional Character Development in Serbian Primary Schools program, Childhood Education International designed and implemented a training series focused on social-emotional learning and supported primary school educators in Serbia in creating communities of practice around this topic.

Partnering with the Center for Interactive Pedagogy and with support from the John Templeton Foundation, CE International delivered a training series informed by evidence-based practice and research on what works best to build school capacities in social-emotional learning (also known as Social and Emotional Character Development, or SECD).

Schools then implemented SECD practices and activities in their classrooms and shared their best practices in their communities of practice. They also conducted participatory action research alongside researchers from the University of Belgrade.

Program Goals

This program sought to support schools to build a stronger understanding of social-emotional learning; incorporate SECD exercises and concepts into their classrooms and school curricula; support students in addressing issues such as social exclusion and violence, building their sense of character, and striving to achieve their full potential; and identify ways to support and improve their own well-being as teachers and other education leaders.

Program Structure

CE International and CIP delivered trainings focused on skills in SECD across five schools in Serbia. The program also supported educators in establishing communities of practice within and across schools to implement what they learned in the training and embed more SECD activities and approaches into the curriculum and after-school programs. Through this work, educators identified new ways to incorporate self-awareness, self-regulation, relationship skills, and critical thinking into the school curriculum.

Impact

Teachers, school staff, and school leaders from five schools across Serbia engaged in hybrid trainings and communities of practice as part of this program.