ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces a set of competencies that define teacher effectiveness based on mainstream requirements and those needed to teach for sustainability and social justice. It also introduces a set of pedagogical principles to guide curriculum design, regardless of grade or discipline. The chapter looks at a constellation of pedagogies—some that emphasize the environment, others that focus on social change, and some that aim to reconcile both. It reviews some of the key understandings. The chapter introduces the broad strokes of grounding curriculum in sustainability and social justice. It explains strategies to center learning in the community, establish inclusive environments, and build healthy relationships with ourselves and the world around us. An important aspect of student health falls under the umbrella of social-emotional learning. A growing body of evidence shows that SEL competencies can help students manage individual behaviors, improve personal relationships, and support academic success in and beyond school.
