087: From Routines To Agency: How A High School Teacher Integrates SEL Daily with Trevor Conde

What if US history class felt human, focused, and alive every single day? We sit down with high school social studies teacher Trevor Conde to unpack a design-first approach to SEL where routines create safety, novelty sparks curiosity, and students see themselves in the story. Trevor shares how backward design, clear weekly modules, and transparent due dates reduce friction and build self-management, while creative touchpoints turn content into a shared culture that students remember.We walk through his daily architecture: collaborative “perch group” bell ringers that students own, a quick whole-class synthesis, and three station rotations with random groups that broaden social awareness and collaboration. Trevor explains the why behind randomization and how it grows real-world teamwork skills by stretching comfort zones. He also reveals a signature practice that boosts attention and presence: one device-free day each week. By committing to analog tools and shared materials, the class reclaims focus, deepens dialogue, and practices care for each other’s learning.Along the way, Trevor models a growth mindset for professional learning by integrating literacy strategies and SEL into his existing goals, rather than treating them as add-ons. If you’re looking to balance routine with spark, bring SEL to life in your content area, and build a classroom that functions as a learning community, this conversation offers clear, practical moves you can try tomorrow.EPISODE RESOURCES:Connect with Trevor via email at [email protected] reading: Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Héctor García & Francesc Miralles