Portraits of Social Emotional Learning in General Music

Composer(s): Scott N. Edgar; Paige Rauschuber

Portraits of Social Emotional Learning in General Music highlights the inspiring and innovative work of general music teachers who are intentionally implementing social emotional learning (SEL) in their classrooms. Drawing upon the framework in Scott N. Edgar’s pioneering book, Music Education and Social Emotional Learning, experienced teachers share their real-world challenges and triumphs with SEL in the general music classroom, including tips, learning experiences, lesson plans, and suggestions for embedding SEL meaningfully and musically. Significantly, this book takes a culturally responsive and inclusive approach to SEL, accounting for the diverse ways SEL interacts with culture, background, and individual differences, making it a powerful tool for social impact and student empowerment. Applicable to new and seasoned educators, this practical guide equips teachers with the tools to embed life-skill development into music instruction, helping students build independence, ownership, and the resilience needed to face challenges in and out of the classroom. Scott N. Edgar is Professor of Music at Lake Forest College. He is author of Music Education and Social Emotional Learning and is an internationally sought-after clinician on the topic. He serves as Director of Practice and Research for The Center for Arts Education and Social Emotional Learning and as SEL Editor for GIA Publications. Paige Rauschuber is a general music specialist at Westwood Elementary in Greenwood, Indiana, where she teaches K–5 general music, choir, and Orff ensemble. A passionate advocate for instilling life skills in students through music education, she presents professional development sessions throughout Indiana and teaches early childhood with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir.