Voices From the Field: Identifying and Overcoming Roadblocks to Carrying Out Programs in Social and Emotional Learning/Emotional Intelligence

Consultants seeking to help educators implement social and emotional learning (SEL), emotional intelligence (EQ), prevention, and related programs face a number of difficulties. One of these is the need to address consultees at the appropriate level, so as not to scare them away from implementation because of all the complexities involved. Drawing from surveys of and site visits with implementers of SEL/EQ programs, the authors present an assortment of roadblocks that consultants (and other program implementers) can expect to encounter, how these have been addressed, and some community psychology principles to guide ongoing efforts. The article closes by using the analogy of a maiden voyage of a sailing ship to illuminate various implementation issues that arise when initiating and sustaining SEL/EQ and related prevention programs in schools.