Christina Foster is an Extension Specialist in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) with University of Illinois Extension at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a Project Director with the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) at University of Illinois at Chicago. In both roles, Christina helps schools, families, and communities apply evidence-based SEL research to improve outcomes for students and schools. Christina provides statewide leadership to an interdisciplinary, statewide, Extension SEL committee and serves on several subcommittees of the Illinois Children's Mental Health Partnership. Christina is the co-author of Character@Work™: Building Values, Performance, and Excellence^SM, and is a certified provider of Real Colors® and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator®.

Prior to her work in SEL, Christina held leadership roles in diverse fields including: 4-H youth development, experiential learning, international peace education, community health and prevention, wilderness therapy, equine-assisted therapy, health and fitness, and graphic design. Christina has a Masters Degree in Holistic, Transformative Education from Norwich University and a B.A. in Organizational/Corporate Communications and Visual Communications from Northern Illinois University.

Social and Emotional Learning

A growing body of research suggests that social and emotional learning is foundational to youth's success in school, work, and life. A variety of presentations and trainings are available for schools, families, and youth organizations that focus on the latest research and practical ways to integrate social and emotional learning into your work with youth. For more details go to: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/sel/.

Five Keys to Integrating SEL in the Classroom

Research indicates that integrating social and emotional learning (SEL) into classroom practice can improve academic performance, attachment to school, reduce risjy behaviors and more. Social and emotional learning is a process by which children and adults develop the essential skills, knowledge, values and attitudes to handle themselves, their relationships, and their tasks, ethically and effectively. In Illinois, schools are required to address the social and emotional needs of students, and ISBE has created SEL learning goals, standards, and benchmarks.

This highly interactive workshop provides teachers and school staff with an overview of SEL and practical strategies for integrating SEL (and the standards) into their existing lessons using 5 keys: Teaching SEL Competencies/Standards, Creating an Effective Learning Environment, Fostering Student-Teacher Relationships, Using SEL Instructional Strategies, and Modeling SEL.

Real COLORS

This interactive workshop gives teens and adults the opportunity to explore their personality type and how different types interact. Learn how to build instant rapport, recognize others' strengths, enhance communication, and resolve conflict by understanding the four primary "colors" (personality types). Colors is based on the personality theory of Carl Jung and validated in the research of Myers-Briggs and Keirsey-Bates. Follow-up workshops are available on COLORS and stress management, teambuilding, and relationships.

Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI)

Psychological type, developed by Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung, refers to our natural tendencies for how we prefer to gather data, make decisions, and interact in the world. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator is a self-report questionnaire that helps individuals better understand their natural strengths and unique gifts. Understanding type also helps us understand why others have tendencies that may be different from our own. The information gained from MBTI can help you better understand yourself, your motivations, your strengths, areas of growth, and improve your relationship with others, especially those who may be different from you.