Grant Elementary is a public Kindergarten–Grade 6 school with an enrollment of approximately 375 students. In addition to the school principal, Grant Elementary has 13 classroom teachers, one special education teacher, a speech and language pathologist, and a school social worker.

In 2019, the school adopted Second Step® Elementary. They began with classroom kits, then transitioned to the digital program during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Once in-person classes resumed, the challenges weren’t over. The pandemic closure impacted the school’s culture and relationships within the community, and students struggled to adjust back to in-person learning. As a result, teachers reported burnout, overwhelming stress, toxicity in school culture, and disconnection from leadership.

Grant Elementary adopted Second Step® SEL for Adults in 2021 to help educators establish trust and build relationships with their students and colleagues. School leaders provided staff with the flexibility to complete the program’s microlearnings based on their schedules, emphasized the value of staff contributions and feedback, and ensured support throughout the program.

After completing the first two program modules, Building Trust and Managing Stress, staff reported a decrease in burnout symptoms and workplace conflicts. They noted an increase in levels of trust among colleagues and students, as well as improved self-awareness and motivation among staff. Educators also reported that developing their own social-emotional competencies helped them model these skills for their students more effectively.