Chyna’s Story: How One Educator Sparked 100% SEL Implementation at her School
- Kikori Team
- Dec 8
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
One educator can transform an entire school. Chyna’s leadership brought SEL to every classroom - through staff trainings, modeling, and a vision for connection.
The Spark That Started the Movement
After a difficult first year teaching, Chyna left education entirely. The burnout was real. But something pulled her back. She returned as a kindergarten teacher determined to do things differently: more connection, more joy, more humanity.
We discovered Chyna (aka Ms. Bee) when she began sharing her classroom journey online - her honesty, creativity, and resilience were magnetic. We reached out and invited her to join us as a Kikori Community Builder, and from that moment, the spark was lit.
Chyna began using Kikori’s experiential, play-based SEL activities every day with
her kindergarteners. She shared how much calmer, more connected, and more confident her students became. Chyna wanted to lead a staff-wide training to share some of the engagement techniques she was using in her classroom. We partnered with her to share some of our top tips for student engagement through experiential SEL. Over the course of the year, Rockfish Hoke's caring leader, Principal Pam O'Brien, saw the impact in her classroom and brought Kikori on for the entire school!
Staff Training That Works
Chyna understood something essential: If SEL is going to work for students, it has to work for teachers first. Rather than just talking about what she was doing, she facilitated shared experiences - exactly the way SEL is meant to be learned!
Chyna's staff-wide SEL trainings included:
✨ Modeling SEL in Real Time
Teachers didn’t hear about SEL - they experienced it. They laughed, moved, shared, and reflected together.
✨ Reflection & Dialogue
After the activities, teachers processed:
What resonated?
What felt doable?
What challenges might arise? This built psychological safety and real buy-in.
✨ Micro-Practices for Immediate Use
Every teacher left with simple, repeatable SEL routines they could use the very next morning.
One staff member shared:
“For the first time, I felt like SEL was something I could actually do tomorrow - and it would make a difference.”
What Full SEL Implementation Looks Like
With Rockfish Hoke's leadership and staff aligned and energized, 100% of the teachers across the school are implementing daily routines:
Morning meetings in every classroom
Greeting activities to spark joy and build belonging
Mindfulness activities after recess
Closing circles at the end of the day
Shared SEL data where teachers track the activities they play and reflect in real time with their students
Connection symbols (see the fun symbols Chyna's students created!) as a creative way to tell each other, "I see you!"
Within months, the entire school is speaking the same SEL language.
Mid-Year Celebration: Community Building Through Play
This December, Kikori teamed up with Chyna to co-create their mid-year celebration and reflection through experiential SEL. We trained her to facilitate two powerful, joy-filled community-building activities:
⭐ Superpower Check-In: A Mindset Shift in 10 Minutes
Teachers began by sharing a superpower they wish they had.
Then came the mindset shift: Teachers reflected on the superpowers we already show every day: patience, kindness, creativity, courage, humor, empathy.
It sparked laughter and a renewed appreciation for one another.
⭐ Gingerbread Traditions: Celebrate What Makes Us Unique
Teachers decorated their own gingerbread houses with symbols from their family traditions, cultures, and celebrations.
This opened the door to beautiful conversations about:
Cultural foods
Holiday memories
Family roots
Traditions they cherish
The stories that shape who we are
Chyna shared one memory that stood out:
“During the planning, I shared how my favorite tradition memory was Debbie Snacks Christmas trees so I decided to bring them to the staff training! Hearing many of my co-workers say it was one of their favorite traditions reminded me why this work matters.”
SEL isn’t content. It’s connection. And connection builds belonging.
Chyna’s leadership proved a powerful truth:
When educators lead with vision, SEL momentum spreads naturally. One classroom becomes a team. A team becomes a school. And a school becomes a community.
A Mingle to Use With Your Team
Bring the spirit of Chyna’s leadership to your staff with this quick SEL kickoff activity.
🌟 Staff Connection Mingle
Each staff member writes one SEL success or one SEL challenge on a sticky note.
Place all notes on a wall.
Everyone walks around silently reading others’ experiences.
Pair up with someone whose note resonated and discuss:
What did you connect with?
What idea could you try tomorrow?
What support would help?
End with a whole-group reflection circle to celebrate wins and share ideas.
This simple experience builds shared understanding, vulnerability, and excitement for SEL - just like Chyna sparked at Rockfish Hoke Elementary School.
Your Turn to Build SEL Momentum
One educator truly can transform a school. Chyna did it. Your team can, too.
Kikori is built to meet you where you are, whether you’re leading a single classroom or shaping culture across an entire school or district.
For Individual Educators
🍎 One teacher can spark everything.
A Kikori Pro Membership gives you instant access to:
Morning Meeting & Advisory slide decks
Hands-on, printable SEL activities
Curated music & movement playlists
Tools that help students connect, reflect, and lead
Perfect for educators who want meaningful SEL they can use tomorrow morning.
For Schools & Districts
🌈 Consistency beats compliance.
Kikori’s School-Wide Solution supports Tier 1–3 SEL by equipping every educator with:
Full platform access
Implementation guidance & training
Shared language and practices for culture-building
Bonus resources that support consistency and sustainability
Designed for schools ready to move from isolated activities to a lived, shared SEL experience.
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