Character Education vs. SEL: What's the Difference, and What Should Parents Ask For?

Rob Heller

Published on: 07/08/2026

Parents hear 'SEL' and 'character education' used almost interchangeably, but the two have different roots, different politics, and different classroom approaches. This piece gives parents a clear-eyed comparison and questions to bring to a parent-teacher conference.

Reinforcing Soft Skills at Home

Why College Admissions Officers Are Starting to Ask About Soft Skills

Rob Heller

Published on: 06/08/2026

New college admission trends show 70% of officers weigh soft skills like communication and resilience. See what schools can do to prepare students.

SEL & Career Readiness

The 10-Minute Dinner Table Habit That Reinforces Every Soft Skill Schools Teach

Rob Heller

Published on: 05/08/2026

Schools teach a soft skill in one 45-minute class. It sticks or dies at home. Here's the one low-effort daily habit parents can use to reinforce whatever skill their student is working on.

Reinforcing Soft Skills at Home

The Professional Development Administrators Actually Need to Support a Soft Skills Program

Rob Heller

Published on: 04/08/2026

Most PD around soft skills is built for teachers, not the administrator who has to approve, fund, and defend it to a board. Here's what admin-level PD should actually cover.

How to Teach Soft Skills