News-Times - Sandy Hook victim inspires national education bill

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By Staff and wire reports

Days before his death, 6-year-old Jesse Lewis scrawled three words on his mother's kitchen chalkboard in their Newtown home that could now prompt a national change in teacher training.

Those three words -- nurturing, healing and love -- became the inspiration for a foundation in his name that is focusing on programs and curriculum for children, teachers and parents that encourage peaceful and positive interaction. They have also led to new federal legislation, introduced Monday in honor of the late Sandy Hook Elementary School first-grader, setting aside money to train teachers in social and emotional learning.

"If the shooter, in our case, had access to this type of learning before the tragedy at Sandy Hook, it might not have happened," said Scarlett Lewis, Jesse's mother and founder of the Jesse Lewis Choose Love Foundation.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat, is hoping to amend a federal education bill and set aside part of $2.3 billion earmarked for professional development to train teachers and principals in how to help children learn to recognize and manage their emotions. They would also learn how to demonstrate caring and concern for others, maintain positive relationships, handle interpersonal situations effectively, make good decisions and achieve positive goals. A similar bill has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

"The time has come for an Emotion Revolution in our nation's education system," said Marc Brackett, director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. "Research shows that emotions drive learning, decision making, relationships, and mental health. Evidence-based approaches to social and emotional learning (SEL) lead to higher academic performance, greater teacher effectiveness, and enhanced school climate. SEL ensures that all stakeholders in all schools develop the skills they need to thrive socially, emotionally and academically."

Proponents contend such concepts can ultimately lead to higher grades, less substance abuse, fewer behavioral issues, higher graduation rates and generally happier children.

"We know that this kind of learning works," said Blumenthal, who recalled meeting with Scarlett Lewis in her living room to discuss her son shortly after the Dec. 14, 2012, shootings, which left 20 first-graders and six educators dead. The 20-year-old shooter also killed his mother and himself that day. Blumenthal said it was clear Jesse Lewis had an emotional intelligence beyond his years. Known for befriending other children, the boy shouted for his classmates to run when the gunman reloaded.

"Today, I'm proud to stand with Scarlett Lewis, who has responded to the unimaginable tragedy of losing her son Jesse with incredible passion and perseverance," said Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-Conn.. "It's because of her advocacy -- and the advocacy of moms and dads across the country -- that we are coming together to call for social and emotional learning initiatives in our children's schools. Social and emotional learning is a proactive and effective holistic response to violence and helps facilitate early mental health interventions. The Jesse Lewis Empowering Educators Act will go a long way to ensure that all children have access to these programs, while increasing much-needed support for our hard-working teachers."

A patchwork of school districts across Connecticut and the nation offer social and emotional learning. Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democratic member of the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, said debate is just beginning on reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and now is the time to try and adjust the law to set aside some of the professional development funds. He said many districts can't afford teacher training without the federal funds.

"Schools need to be a place where we are building the whole child," Murphy said.

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