My online podcast interviews will consist of me having conversations with experts in various roles and aspects of the educational system. Each podcast episode will feature an individual who will speak in reference to the importance of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), and its impact with students during the early and post-pandemic era. Each interviewee will provide information from their perspective; and share their expertise on how and what approaches they believe educators can consider, when it comes to improving students’ academic achievement and overall well-being, in an ever-changing society.

Episode 6: SEL From A Social Worker's Perspective/Featured Podcast Guest Speaker - Linda Martinez-Cervantes - Chapel Hill High School Social Worker, who is a representative and member of our school’s Student Services Department. Ms. Linda Martinez-Cervantes is a unique individual, as she is one of our school community’s proud products, after witnessing her graduate from CHHS with the Class of 2016, and now returning as a celebrated alumna and faculty member, to help serve our current students. Upon graduating from CHHS, Ms. Martinez-Cervantes attended Guildford College in Greensboro, NC for her undergraduate studies and later attended North Carolina State University, to obtain her Masters of Social Work graduate degree, and has since gained her certification as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate to practice in her profession. Ms. Martinez-Cervantes has also taken on the role of one of our school’s Certified Stuctured Psychotherapy for Adolescents Responding to Chronic Stress (SPARCS) Trainer, which is a program she will talk to us later about in our podcast episode, which is an evidenced-based group therapy program that helps adolescents experiencing chronic trauma regulate their emotions and behaviors. Along with a host of other duties, she is also the club advisor for The Mucho Orgullo Club (that translates to “much pride), which has brought a piece of Hispanic culture to Chapel Hill High School. It is relatively new to the school and centered around Latinx students and allies of the community. It has given many Chapel Hill High School students of Latin descent, the opportunity to connect with each other, and bond over their shared experiences.