Meet Our SEL Team
Passionate SEL educators who are keen to empower teachers and improve the lives of students.
Michelle Torres
Director of Social Emotional Learning at Citizens of the World Los Angeles
A committed, creative and mindful educational leader, devoted to lifelong learning and innovative problem-solving.
LOCATION: Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Jennifer N. Laster
High School English Teacher, Adjunct Professor, Fulbright Scholar and passionate SEL advocate
LOCATION: Piscataway, New Jersey
Laura Richard
SEL Coordinator
Responsible for the development and implementation of the SEL Framework, benchmark goals, research, programming, and training.
LOCATION: Beaumont, Texas
Hyam Elsaharty
Seattle Public School District's Social Emotional Learning Consulting Teacher
I believe that incorporating SEL into daily instruction fundamentally changed me professionally and personally. My students became more engaged and their academic performance improved, but there was even more. My relationships with and between students became stronger, I witnessed them develop a sense of self and confidence, and they had this genuine appreciation of one another. Explicit teaching of SEL skills and weaving it into my classroom each day brought back the joy to teaching and why I went into education in the first place.
LOCATION: Seattle, Washington
Becky Criollo
Student Teaching Supervisor
Strongly believes in the power of public education and is passionate about urban education, with a particular interest in bilingual education, working with English language learners, and teaching social emotional learning. Taught in a Chicago public school for 10 years and now works developing future teachers through student teaching supervision and curriculum development. Believes that it is essential for teachers to have access to resources and professional development in order for them to be successful in their jobs.
LOCATION: Chicago, Illinois
Janna Nobleza
Edtrove Project Leader
I find joy in helping students learn and giving teachers the tools they need to be successful.
I believe all students can be successful in school with a teacher who believes in them, creates a safe learning environment, and is efficiently trained. All students can find enjoyment in reading and writing and all students yearn to feel successful and be proud of the work they accomplish.
LOCATION:Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
Online Teacher Course Guest Speakers
Lauretta Dawolo Towns
8th Grade ELA teacher with a background in community and ethnic media, specializing in coverage of underrepresented and underserved populations.
Jonathan Erwin
SEL author, consultant, keynote speaker, presenter, and coach
Kathy Flaminio
Founder of 1000 Petals LLC, creator of Move Mindfully®, author, presenter
Lindsey Frank
District Climate and Social-Emotional Learning Coach, Facilitator for the Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully (COSEM)
Laura Hurwitz
SEL Consultant and CASEL Consultant
Patty McLain
SEL Consultant and Founder of Plan Be LLC
My goal is to bring awareness to my students through literature and to prepare and inspire them to become informed and engaged critical thinkers, readers and writers. I am passionate about SEL because it is centered around the "whole child" as we often speak about in education, but sometimes, don't always address. In my particular classroom management style, before true learning begins, I aim to ensure that my students' social and emotional needs are being met and addressed. As educators, we may tend to focus on academic outcomes when there may be barriers impeding students learning and understanding. I am excited to be working with Edtrove as we provide ways to help empower our students and to impart a positive learning experience on a daily basis through the use of our planners.