Letters: Support social-emotional learning in schools; Candidates have a vision for Penn State

Editor’s note: The CDT welcomes letters endorsing candidates in the May 16 primary election and will accept letters that are received by May 11. Letters are subject to editing, must be based on facts and should avoid attacks on other candidates.

Support social-emotional learning in schools

As a parent of two children who struggled early with reading, I saw the effect that frustration and boredom can have on learning. This is why I have become an advocate for the value of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) in our schools.

Some conservatives argue that SEL skills are peripheral to education and take away from the academic mission by using valuable time for “non-essential” lessons. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In many cases, social-emotional learning is already integrated into students’ daily lives. Learning is a social process that is steeped in strong emotions. Feelings like joy, frustration, boredom, anxiety, disappointment and excitement are all part of the learning process for kids (and adults). Emotions happen regardless of our attention to them — it’s part of human nature. Our teachers know this because they see it daily.

Social-emotional learning helps students handle the emotions that are an innate part of learning. How do we want our students to handle the stress of tackling a hard math lesson? How do we want our athletes to respond if they struggle through a workout? And what lessons do we want students to learn about the value of effort? These are examples of how SEL supports learning.

Thanks to learned perseverance, hard work, and great teachers, I now have two avid readers. By focusing on SEL skills, SCASD schools will help all students thrive as successful learners. I’m proud to work with Slate for State as supporters of social-emotional learning in our schools.

Candidates have a vision for PSU

I am a third generation Penn Stater, and a recent graduate of the Penn State Class of 2021. Penn State helped me grow as a person, and gave me the opportunity to explore my academic interests and personal interests (shoutout to the Dressage Team)! Penn State is an incredible academic institution, but its reputation is struggling: national rankings have slid, leading scientists are leaving for other universities that better fund climate research, and employee morale, per Faculty Senate reports, has fallen.

Right now, the university is facing serious challenges. A third of students across campuses report food insecurity and about half at University Park don’t believe the institution will act on reports of sexual violence.

Students can’t learn when they go hungry, are unsafe and struggle to afford college. Faculty and staff are harder to recruit and retain when they feel unheard and underinvested in by leadership. We need fresh leaders who understand this basic reality — and have plans to overcome these struggles so Penn State can succeed. Right now, Penn State alumni can cast a vote in the upcoming board of trustees election to vote for change. This year, I am supporting the Penn State Forward slate made up of: Uma Moriarty, Melinda Kuritzky and Ali Krieger. Their commitments to addressing climate change, enhancing educational equity and governance reform are the voices we need to transform Penn State. This extraordinary group of young alumni have a vision that can make Penn State a better place for future generations to come.

Krishnankutty committed to working for residents

Nalini Krishnankutty is one of those unique individuals who inspires others with her warmth, intellect and concern for others — and for whom I hold the utmost respect. She has been my neighbor for over 30 years, and I am proud to call her my friend. So it is with highest praise that I support her run for State College Borough Council.

Nalini has extensive experience in community service — volunteering, serving on boards, even being appointed to one of the PA Governor’s Advisory Commissions. I encourage voters to read about her background on Facebook or Instagram.

But it is her personal qualities that seem most admirable for an elected official. Nalini is insightful, empathetic, analytical, articulate and dedicated. Every initiative she supports is about serving others, the common good, inclusion and respect. She listens and cares and holds others in high regard.

In her words, she is committed to a “sustainable, inclusive, vibrant and engaged community.” Nalini will work diligently in that regard for all of us.