Today, March 2, we celebrate international #SELday!

This year’s theme—Skills for Community, Skills for Career—reminds us that social and emotional learning is not an “extra.” It’s foundational and at the core of how we are with each other. SEL not only strengthens academic achievement but also supports mental health and prepares young people for a meaningful and successful future.

While other educational priorities may take up space and resources, the truth remains: we still need to learn—and teach—how to navigate big emotions, develop agency, collaborate across differences, and speak up when something isn’t right. We needed SEL yesterday. We need SEL today. And we will continue to need it tomorrow. Contexts shift, but HEART skills endure.

An #SELday Tradition

At HEART in Mind, it has become a tradition to celebrate #SELday by gifting free copies of Teaching with the HEART in Mind—and this year is no exception. Five years after its release, the book continues to offer practical, research-informed tools to educators around the world who are committed to growing HEARTs and minds.

I’m also grateful to share that Teaching with the HEART in Mind is currently #1 in sales in the category of Education / Philosophy, Theory & Social Aspects in bookstores and retailers outside of Amazon. This recognition speaks to the continued commitment educators have to centering humanity in learning.

Celebrate SEL Day with me! You have a chance to win a copy of Teaching with the HEART in Mind. Simply answer three questions to enter the giveaway—you could be one of the lucky winners.

Winners will be selected by March 6, so don’t miss your chance to participate!

On this special day, I also want to shine a light on the remarkable contributions of SEL leader and dear friend, Wendy Baron. She co-founded the New Teacher Center, a national nonprofit dedicated to improving student learning by accelerating the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders.

Wendy was a true pioneer in integrating SEL with academics long before it became widely recognized. She has been a generous mentor to many SEL practitioners, and her leadership continues to shape the field in powerful and lasting ways. Thank you, Wendy, for your many contributions and wholehearted dedication!

As we honor SEL Day, let’s move from celebration into action by embodying, teaching, and championing SEL wherever we are. Whether you claim a free copy of the book, attend the SEL Day summit, explore new toolkits, or simply start a conversation about emotional intelligence, your voice matters.

May each of us play a role in nurturing the skills that help individuals and communities flourish.

Happy #SELday!