As students face academic pressure, friendships, and growing responsibilities, Ojai Valley School counselor Robert Brunelle says Social Emotional Learning (SEL) offers tools they’ll rely on long after high school.
“We live in a social world and we all have emotions. We should have the skills and language to be able to communicate it,” he said.
Mr. Brunelle, who has been at OVS for three years, serves as both the school counselor and the community and belonging director. He explains SEL by breaking it down into five categories: self-management, self-awareness, social awareness, conflict resolution, and responsible decision-making.
In SEL sessions, students explore topics such as managing stress, recognizing boundaries, creating healthy friendships, and resolving conflict without escalating tension. Each class is thoughtfully shaped to match the developmental stage of its students.
Middle school is a crucial stage for language building. Students may not have all the life experiences yet, but learning terms such as mindfulness and gratitude gives them reference points.
By ninth and tenth grade, students begin to truly understand themselves.
“Having them understand who they are…will hopefully set them up for success,” Mr. Brunelle said.
By junior and senior year, under more academic pressure, students can return to those earlier lessons. “I can remind those students, Hey, remember this? Let’s practice it.”
Students say SEL has had a noticeable impact on their daily lives. Freshmen Bella Hsu and Rebecca Kaiser described how the lessons help them navigate friendships and reflect on their own behavior.
“In SEL they teach us to stop and think about what makes you happy or not happy, and to set boundaries,” Bella said. “Sometimes in my own situations, I use those skills to understand my boundaries so I can have better friendships,” Rebecca added, “It helped me understand myself a lot.”
Mr. Brunelle believes SEL strengthens the school community as a whole. When students understand themselves and their emotions, he explained, they are better equipped to support others and contribute to a more positive campus environment. “We want students to know that they’re not alone in what they feel,” he said. “Everyone is experiencing something, and SEL helps them recognize that.”
Though SEL meets briefly and only a few times a month, Mr. Brunelle hopes its lessons will stay with students long after they leave OVS.
“It’s not about getting it perfect right now,” he said. “It’s about having the tools and language to make healthier choices in life.”
By teaching students to recognize their emotions, communicate effectively, and reflect on their actions, SEL provides a foundation they can rely on in high school, college, and beyond.
“If you know who you are,” he said, “ and what you need, you can move through the world with a lot more confidence.”