Fostering a Nurturing Learning Atmosphere for Better Outcomes

Stephanie Costner, Vice President, Curriculum Design & Instructional, New York Edge

Stephanie Costner, Vice President, Curriculum Design & Instructional, New York Edge

Stephanie Costner is an educator and nonprofit leader with over 20 years of experience delivering results for students facing the most significant challenges and their communities while maintaining an unwavering commitment to educational equity. Costner’s areas of expertise include strategic planning and curriculum development. She also develops and implements organization growth strategies, fundraising, and equity/inclusion policies and practices.

In an exclusive interview with Education Technology Insights, Costner shared valuable insights on the challenges, trends and best practices in social and emotional learning space.

What are your current key roles and responsibilities at New York Edge?

Having been an educator all my life, I feel the need to help students navigate the path to success. I believe it's important for them to have a space to be mentored and supported. With a strong foundation in adult education and elementary school teaching, I feel honored to serve as Vice President of Curriculum Design & Instructional at New York Edge.

What are some of the major pain points that prevail in the social and emotional learning arena?

New York Edge has faced various difficulties in addressing the needs of our students, from kindergarten through college. The transition from a hybrid model to exclusively an online education was a tremendous dilemma. As an education community, we did our best to ensure proper care for students but faced challenges due to the large number of students in the New York public schools and the need for broadband access to computers. We, as an organization, understood the obstacles and rose to the occasion by procuring essential technology to facilitate online accessibility.

In addition, we provided online activities for young kids, which were crucial for engagement in middle and high school groups. However, when we transitioned back into schools, participation rates and attendance rates were waning, as many students opted not to return and moved to other places.

As an organization that has offered continuous assistance over the years, it is essential to prioritize social and emotional support. Addressing systemic issues and working with other partners is crucial to provide vital support for students. By doing this, the organization can work towards bestowing essential backing for these students to thrive and succeed in their educational journey.

Are there any new technologies that have emerged lately to help tackle these pain points?

We have adopted various tech tools to keep our students engaged. We have partnered with ‘Mosaic’ by ACT, a comprehensive assessment system designed to measure social-emotional skills and aspects of the educational environment that offers online support to students and staff. We are also collaborating with Headspace, an online company specializing in meditation, to offer a dedicated app to our staff. This app will assist them in practising mindfulness activities and breathing techniques. Moreover, we will ensure that children have access to sensory activities, such as bath salts and bath bombs, thoughtfully provided for their use. Furthermore, we support our staff through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and adult workshops, ensuring that they receive direct support from us. Integrating technology and practical activities is essential for our success as an educational organization.

Is there a project initiative that you've been working on lately?

The ACT Mosaic Portal is an exciting partnership that supports all content areas, offering hundreds of thousands of activities for students to engage in. The platform allows students to access teacher-assigned activities all time round. The platform includes literacy work, digital books, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) technology program, and wellness programs. This will help students learn about their careers and the pathways to those careers.

“Social and emotional support is essential for fostering a positive learning environment.”

Middle school sites have received Oculus, a virtual reality headset allowing them to engage in Metaverse programming. This platform offers various activities, including visual arts and mindfulness, field trips, and immersive experiences with experts in their natural work environments.

How do you envision the future of the social and emotional learning space?

We aspire to influence the next generation by systematically changing the approach to the dissemination of education. Comprehensive system examinations are needed to improve student outcomes, and we believe that students will take the lead in fostering dialogues on learning methods and engagement. This is crucial for constructing a more equitable and impactful education system.

Through the strategic integration of technology into academics, we can extend our reach and establish connections worldwide, opening up new avenues of learning., It is important to equip ourselves with the necessary training and safety measures to leverage technological tools' potential effectively. Additionally, it is crucial to prioritize the development of math and science aptitudes, considering the growing number of job opportunities emerging in these fields. Failing to address these needs would leave students lagging in the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence. Moreover, a lack of diverse voices in the decision-making process risks perpetuating biases within the system. To avoid such consequences, it is essential to actively involve young individuals in shaping these decisions, ensuring their engagement and active participation in the educational journey.

We ensure children have the right tools to understand networks and perspectives better. In addition, achieving a comprehensive understanding of equity and inclusion is paramount. Through active and effective implementation of these principles in all aspects of our educational initiatives, we create a nurturing learning environment that fosters empathy, understanding, and empowerment in our students, encouraging them to embrace diversity and flourish as responsible global citizens.

What piece of advice would you like to offer to your fellow peers, as well as upcoming professionals in this field?

Social and emotional support is essential for fostering a positive learning environment. When working with students, involving their opinions in planning and development is crucial, as it leads to better outcomes. We can foster greater student involvement and participation by engaging all stakeholders, including children, in the development process. Ensuring access points and a belief in the student’s capabilities is crucial for preparing them for success. Furthermore, organizations can create a more inclusive and effective learning environment by involving students in the planning and development process.