92. Behind the Scenes: Affton’s SEL Interventionists Changing Student Lives

In this episode of the Affton Unplugged podcast Superintendent Travis Bracht focuses on the district's social emotional learning (SEL) interventionists. The episode introduces four interventionists—Dan Ludwig at Affton High School, Lena Mahurin at Rogers Middle School, Molly Browning at Gotsch Intermediate School, and Paige Carter at Mesnier Primary School—who share their diverse professional backgrounds and personal lives. The conversation then transitions into discussing how the SEL program has evolved since 2016 when it first emerged as a strategic focus area. The interventionists support students and staff across various grade levels with curriculum implementation, emotional regulation, and problem-solving through initiatives like the Second Step and Zones of Regulation programs. Each interventionist describes their specific roles and programming, such as small groups, crisis intervention, and mentorship, emphasizing the importance of collaboration across departments and buildings to foster a strong school culture and sense of belonging. The episode concludes with the interventionists sharing favorite memories and stories illustrating the positive impact of their work on students.