Hello, My name is Corey Lott

We learn socially, and our lifetimes are filled with relationships. By engaging in meaningful interactions in the classroom, students tap into their social curiosity, making learning more dynamic and impactful.

Throughout my decades as an educator, parent, and life-long learner, I have seen firsthand how cultivating positive relationships in the classroom enhances the learning process.

There are a wide array of benefits to the use of universal social-emotional learning interventions are implemented successfully in schools (Cipriano et al., 2023; Greenburg, 2023; Skoog-Hoffman et al., 2024; Taylor et al., 2017). Integrating SEL with academic learning remains an area for advancement.

What is Socially Connected Learning?

Socially Connected Learning is a research-based approach that places relationships and social interactions at the heart of teaching and learning. It integrates social-emotional and academic growth through flexible, adaptable strategies that empower teachers to create inclusive and engaging classrooms.

Across subject subjects, this contextually adaptable approach fosters active, socially supported learning experiences. Students build essential skills to learn independently and collaboratively while contributing to their learning communities. Students are empowered to take an active role in shaping their learning journeys.

Socially Connected Learning is aligned with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and the CASEL framework, which includes Transformative SEL.

how it works

  • Strategies include social scaffolding for:

    • Social Agendas

    • Social Goals

    • Active and Interactive Learning

  • Strong classroom relationships are:

    • Visible

    • Varied

    • Reflective

    • Growth-oriented

  • Engaging learning experiences are:

    • Active

    • Interactive

    • Engaging

    • Effective

By embedding socially supported connections into the learning process, we create classrooms where students thrive - academically, emotionally, and socially.

Design for empowering learners

Equitable Learning Communities

Being a part of a learning community empowers youth to become innovative, collaborative, and contributing 21st-century learners and citizens. A sense of belonging and purpose is fostered with an equitable mindset. Opportunities for choice and voice are embedded into all layers of learning. Social support helps cultivate the positive relationships necessary for highly functioning learning communities.

Varied Interactions

Throughout our lives, we learn through relationships with ourselves and others. Our social interactions with others are at the heart of our ability to learn and grow. Designing educational experiences to incorporate interactions with partners, in small groups, through direct instruction, as a part of a community, and through participation in the decision-making guiding the learning process supports students in becoming adept in the complex relationships necessary to be thriving members of families, communities, and the workforce.

Effective relationships

To grow and excel in various human relationships, we need time to identify, practice, reflect, and set goals regarding best practices. Incorporating this level of self-reflection and communication between community members encourages healthy relationships and accelerates learning potential.

We build knowledge together - Everyone has something to offer - Ideas are improvable - growth occurs through intentional practice.