Building a Culture Where SEL Belongs to Everyone
At STEM Magnet Academy, a K–8 STEAM school in Chicago Public Schools, learning has always meant more than test scores. With about 700 students from diverse cultural backgrounds, the school prides itself on creativity, collaboration, and innovation.
But a few years ago, School Counselor Cynthia Gulley and Social Worker Anna Cohn noticed a challenge: social-emotional learning (SEL) was happening in pockets, not in a unified way.
Teachers used different materials. Some students received small-group support, while others had minimal exposure. SEL wasn’t consistently built into the schedule, and previous programs like Second Step didn’t fully match the school’s vision or student needs.
“I was creating my own curriculum,” Cynthia recalled. “Peekapak gave me a complete, intentional framework, aligned to standards and ready to use.”
That shift—from patchwork resources to a cohesive framework—became the foundation of a powerful, schoolwide SEL journey.
The Challenge: Inconsistent SEL and Limited Time
Before Peekapak, SEL at STEM Magnet faced several hurdles:
- Scattered resources: There was no single, shared program guiding SEL across grades K–8.
- Irregular scheduling: Without a dedicated time block, SEL often competed with other priorities.
- Limited rigor for whole class: Existing resources felt better suited for small groups than for full-class instruction.
- Heavy planning burden: Cynthia spent substantial time designing lessons, leaving less time for relationship-building and targeted support.
The team knew students needed a consistent, developmentally appropriate SEL experience that would:
- Reach every student, not just a select few.
- Build a shared language between staff and students.
- Support prevention, not just crisis response.
They needed a partner and a structure that could do all of the above.
The Solution: A Weekly Schoolwide SEL Block Powered by Peekapak
In 2022, STEM Magnet Academy adopted Peekapak as the backbone of a new SEL model: a 50-minute weekly SEL class for every K–8 classroom.
Here’s how it works:
1. A Dedicated SEL Block
Every class has a scheduled 50-minute SEL period each week. This consistency signals that SEL is as important as any core subject. It also gives students something to look forward to—a predictable time for reflection, connection, and skill-building.
2. Co-Teaching for Impact
Cynthia and Anna co-teach the lessons, blending counseling and social work expertise. Classroom teachers stay in the room, observing, participating, and learning the language and strategies alongside their students.
This model:
- Increases student engagement, thanks to two SEL specialists facilitating.
- Strengthens teacher capacity, as gen ed teachers absorb strategies they can use all week.
- Ensures SEL is not seen as “someone else’s job,” but a shared responsibility.
3. A Calming, Student-Centered SEL Space
The SEL block usually takes place in a specially designed “social center”—a calm, inviting room with:
- String/café lights instead of harsh fluorescents
- Beanbags and flexible seating
- Games like Mancala and Sequence to observe teamwork and conflict resolution in action
Parents frequently comment that it’s one of their favorite spaces on campus. As Cynthia shared, Peekapak helped them build not just lessons, but “an environment where students feel safe, seen, and supported.”
4. Technology That Enhances, Not Dominates
Students use Chromebooks to access Peekaville, and the team relies on laminated login cards to keep transitions smooth. Digital activities are balanced with hands-on challenges, discussions, and games—especially for middle schoolers, who benefit from movement and interaction.
The Impact: From Crisis Response to Prevention
Since implementing Peekapak, STEM Magnet has seen a clear shift in how SEL shows up in daily life.
Fewer Crises, More Prevention
Anna described a noticeable change in the kind of calls they receive:
“We’ve significantly decreased the amount we’re getting called for emergencies. Now it’s more, ‘Something’s brewing—can you come check in?’ We’re preventing fires instead of putting them out.”
Students have more tools to regulate emotions and navigate conflicts. Staff see fewer explosive moments and more opportunities to intervene early.
Growing Student Voice and Leadership
Student leadership has become a hallmark of the program:
- Younger students lead feelings check-ins and breathing exercises.
- Middle schoolers facilitate slide presentations, call on peers, and guide discussions.
- Students reference Peekapak characters—like Leo, Zoe, and Inés—to explain their choices and consider different perspectives.
Cynthia loves watching even the quietest students step into leadership roles. Owning the language and routines has helped students feel more confident and capable.
A Richer Emotional Vocabulary
Through stories, reflections, and class activities, students are developing a broader emotional vocabulary. They no longer just say “happy,” “sad,” or “mad”—they’re exploring words like “frustrated,” “overwhelmed,” “excited,” and “nervous,” then connecting those feelings to real-life events.
This deeper language helps students better advocate for themselves and understand others, a key step toward empathy and healthy relationships.
Student & Teacher Favorites
Some elements of Peekapak have quickly become favorites at STEM Magnet:
Teacher Favorites
- Structured, standards-aligned lessons that reduce planning time
- Feelings check-ins that provide data and insight over time
- Flexibility to choose lessons that match each class’s needs
Student Favorites
- Stories and characters (Leo, Zoe, Inés) that feel relatable and real
- Hands-on activities, like the teamwork string game and rocket-building tasks
- Interactive games like Hot Seat, where students guess SEL vocabulary using peer clues
These experiences help students internalize SEL concepts while having fun.
Advice for Educators Considering Peekapak
Based on their journey, Cynthia and Anna offer a few key pieces of advice for other schools:
- Make SEL a non-negotiable part of the schedule.
A weekly SEL block ensures consistency and signals its importance to students and staff. - Empower students to lead.
Let students run check-ins, read prompts, and lead discussions. Ownership drives engagement. - Adjust pacing and lean into conversations.
Not every slide needs to be finished. Pause when discussions get rich—that’s where the deepest learning happens.
“Peekapak makes it easy to pick up and go,” Anna reflected. “It fits seamlessly into our school schedule, and students truly benefit.”
Engaging Families and Extending SEL Beyond the Classroom
Families have responded enthusiastically, especially when they’ve experienced SEL during events like Shadow Day. Parents see how Peekapak helps children express emotions, resolve conflicts, and build empathy.
Looking ahead, STEM Magnet plans to deepen home-school connections by sharing unit themes and simple conversation starters families can use around the dinner table.
For now, one thing is clear: by pairing a thoughtful structure with a research-informed SEL program, STEM Magnet Academy has transformed SEL from something “extra” into a core part of who they are as a community.
They’ve moved from scattered efforts to a whole-school SEL culture—and Peekapak is proud to be part of that journey.
About Peekapak
Peekapak is a leading wellbeing education platform that teaches and measures skills such as resilience, empathy, positive behavior, and digital citizenship through story-based lessons, student-driven engagement, and real-time wellbeing insights. Peekapak currently supports nearly one million users across more than 90 countries.
