The content targets widespread abuse, toxic
cultures while increasing well-being skills
BOSTON, June 26,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A unique social emotional
learning (SEL) curriculum for public school sports teams is being
offered free to coaches, students, and parents to combat the
epidemic of abuse and toxic cultures. It is posted on
GetPsychedSports.org., a Massachusetts 501(c)(3) educational
non-profit, and online at Amazon and Kindle Books.
"If all of public school is trying to teach up-to-date science
and knowledge, why are athletics exempt?" asks former athletic
director, educator, and president of the nonprofit, Khari Roulhac.
The 91-page curriculum, titled "Remodeling Sports to Transform Lives," was
developed by educators, coaches, and a sports psychologist. It
provides readers with suggested practices and resources for
integrating team SEL competencies.
SEL is an educational process through which students learn and
apply a set of skills, attitudes, behaviors, and values to help
them to succeed on sports teams and in life. Though widely accepted
in academia, school athletic departments have largely ignored SEL,
allowing coaches to define learning, sometimes with disastrous
results.
Advocates say a power imbalance between coach and player invites
abuse, especially emotional and verbal abuse. What is needed is
something school sports has never had – a written, science-based
curriculum based on 21st century knowledge.
"The authors articulate a new vision for how to transform the
way sports transforms lives," said Dr. Maurice J. Elias, Rutgers
University, Co-Director of the Academy for SEL in Schools.
"This curriculum should be required reading for all teachers,
coaches, and students."
GetPsychedSports.org initiated the End Abusive Coaching
Campaign that has spearheaded efforts across the country to
familiarize decision-makers and school athletic departments with
the application of SEL in sports. It has legislation pending in
Massachusetts that requires the
Department of Education to publish guidelines integrating SEL into
sports.
"Forty-to-50% of all athletes have suffered some kind of abuse
in their athletic lives," says Mitch
Lyons, founder of GetPsychedSports.org. "We've come up with
a 21st century approach by adding a third element to the
antiquated 'factory' model – a curriculum that gives explicit
educational purpose to this hugely popular activity. We hope
to start a national conversation."
The program's authors—Khari Roulhac M.Ed., Steve Banno, Jr. M.Ed., Dr. Julie Wiernik, Mitch
Lyons and Hank Van Putten—are available for comments and
presentations.
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SOURCE GetPsychedSports.org