text: Social and emotional learning, or SEL, represents core values for teaching, learning and humane interactions. Truly, this is ancient stuff – it’s about becoming real human beings who know themselves and can function effectively with and among other people. SEL is embedded in traditional Alaska Native value systems, and was widely demonstrated on public television by Mister Rogers. The Anchorage School District has led the field nationally in developing and implementing strategies for students and adults to promote positive development of skills such as teamwork, decision-making, self-discipline and confidence. Learning and practicing SEL skills, and observing them being modeled by adults, contributes to students’ academic success and to a decrease in negative school behaviors, building habits of positive interaction that serve them well throughout their life.