SEL Muscle Mastery
Six Tools for Building Resilience and Connection in Schools and Communities
- Lori Woodley-Langendorff - Catalyst for Social Responsibility
Foreword by Pedro A. Noguera
Brain-Friendly Teaching & Learning | Emotional Intelligence | Social/Emotional Leadership
Social emotional literacy is for everyone!
Adults are tasked with teaching social emotional literacy (SEL), including skills like curiosity, respect, and problem-solving, but too often we fail to acknowledge or tend to our own well-being.
In SEL Muscle Mastery, you will discover six SEL Muscles™ that, when strengthened and flexed with skill, support our own emotional balance and are key to building resilient and joyful environments where we can effectively teach and kids can sustainably learn. Inside this transformative guidebook, you'll discover:
- A framework for managing student behavior and classroom dynamics, finding personal fulfillment, and supporting the whole child
- Reflection prompts for readers to use to consider what is present in the moment and what is possible in the future
- Links to videos and an open-access curriculum
- Exercises, stories, and examples for teachers, caregivers, and community members
In this beautifully illustrated book, Lori Woodley-Langendorff, a former school counselor and award-winning film producer and educational consultant, presents a powerful new toolkit to enhance your ability to navigate difficult circumstances with greater ease and joy, both in and out of the classroom.
"If you are looking for practical ways to create emotional resilience, look no further than SEL Muscle Mastery. This is a masterful work with practical applications for anyone looking to help either themselves or others grow their emotional intelligence. Lori Woodley-Langendorff’s work is based on practical experience as well as research and is easy to read and apply. Having personally observed her work with children over a long period of time, this book summarizes all that Lori has gleaned in those experiences as well as the work she has done with notable experts in this space. Reading it will give you a new perspective or will reinforce and extend what you are already thinking!"
"SEL Muscle Mastery is a book for anyone who works with children. Helping students develop SEL skills ensures our children not only flourish in the school setting, but also in life! Teaching children to notice, choose, and act at an early age helps them to be empathetic to those around them as well as reflective of their own impact."
"SEL Muscle Mastery is a game-changer for educators, providing six powerful tools to build resilience, emotional intelligence, and authentic connection in schools and communities. This book goes beyond theory, offering practical strategies that transform classroom culture, deepen student engagement, and create lasting impact. By strengthening SEL educators, Lori empowers students with the confidence and skills they need to navigate life’s challenges with resilience and purpose. This is a must-read for anyone committed to shaping the future of education.
"The timing of SEL Muscle Mastery is perfect: this book highlights the critical need for developing emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills, especially for educators and caregivers working with young people. In today's complex, fast-paced world, these "SEL muscles" seem increasingly important for building strong relationships and supporting healthy development. The framework is grounded in research and best practices, making it a credible approach. Additionally, the author's tone is warm, understanding, and invites the reader to be a partner in the process. This helps establish trust and credibility, making the guidance throughout the book feel more accessible and supportive."
"SEL Muscle Mastery is an extraordinary resource for educators, parents, and caregivers who want to nurture resilience and empathy in young people. Lori’s innovative strategies bridge the gap between emotional intelligence and happiness, offering practical tools that inspire lasting change. Her work is a beacon of hope for creating more compassionate schools and communities.”
"SEL Muscle Mastery offers a revolutionary and thought-provoking way to teach and learn, especially with the advancement of AI, the fastest-growing technology in human history. Lori Woodley-Langendroff's insights and practices are needed for human beings to live, think, and love."
"SEL Muscle Mastery is an essential toolkit for educators and caregivers alike. Through powerful messaging and relatable anecdotes, Lori Woodley-Langendorff equips readers with feasible ways to foster healthy relationships with children and adolescents. As an education researcher and a former special education teacher, I find this book particularly powerful because it encourages sustainable practices that may mitigate educator burnout and caregiver fatigue. Readers are guided with actionable steps to help them grow as individuals so they can better support others with various needs."
"With this book, Lori completely took me out of my comfort zone. She took me outside of the books with which I had been taught, the mentoring I had, and the lessons I learned while attending school. She made me grow me in ways that have made me a force to be reckoned with as a school counselor."
"Lori Woodley-Langendorff’s SEL Muscle Mastery is an essential guide for educators, parents, and caregivers committed to shaping resilient, empathetic, and self-aware young people. Ms. Woodley-Langendorff’s introduces SEL Muscles—transformative tools like QTIP (Quit Taking It Personally) and Walk the Talk—offering a practical framework for navigating emotional challenges with clarity and compassion. Her engaging approach invites readers to rethink how they engage with young people, emphasizing connection, trust, and mutual growth. By integrating personal stories, actionable strategies, and the innovative Notice Choose Act framework, Woodley equips readers to meet challenges with purpose and optimism. This book not only uplifts young lives but also rejuvenates the adults guiding them. It is a must-read for anyone striving to foster meaningful relationships and resiliency in our children and youth."