Introducing our
Education Innovation and
Research (EIR) Grant
As an award recipient of the prestigious Education Innovation and Research (EIR) grant (13% acceptance rate), Harmony Academy at National University is developing Harmony SEL-Academic Integration, an innovative model that embeds the Harmony Curriculum more intentionally into academic instruction, particularly in schools with historically underrepresented students.
As part of the grant, Harmony staff are working with leaders and educators from the New York City Public Schools and San Antonio Independent School District to develop, implement, and refine this model, potentially impacting more than 8,000 students in these major city school districts. Throughout the five-year project, Harmony staff are working with educators, staff, and leadership from the districts to integrate Harmony and SEL into academics for students in grades 3–5 across 49 schools.
The American Institutes for Research (AIR) serves as the independent evaluator to study the impact of the innovation and to provide usable data for continuous improvement.
Research and evaluation plays a critical role in the multi-year, grant-funded initiative. This will generate new insight into the impact of culturally responsive teaching practices on academic outcomes, social and emotional learning, and school climate.
Throughout the grant, AIR will compare the effectiveness of educators who implement Harmony, and those who implement Harmony as a tool for academic instruction. Educators who participate in the Harmony SEL-Academic Integration model will receive tools and professional learning to help students boost their SEL skills.
How are educators supported by the grant?
Educators receive a broad range of support and resources to ensure success in applying Harmony SEL-academic integration over two years, including nine hours of professional learning across five sessions (two in person and three virtual) to learn, practice, plan, and reflect with colleagues. A lead teacher, counselor, or administrator will receive additional training to support educators throughout the two years.
Professional Learning
Nine hours of professional learning across five sessions (two in-person and three virtual sessions) to learn, practice, plan, and reflect with colleagues.
Coaching Leads
Additional training and support to a lead teacher, counselor, or administrator who can continue to support educators throughout the two years.
Model Lessons
Opportunities to observe model lessons, demonstrating what SEL-academic integration can look like (at least one in-person, with optional model lessons and videos).
Toolkits
Access to a comprehensive toolkit on SEL-Academic Integration, that includes grounding knowledge and skills, as well as subject-specific SEL-Academic Integration tools.
Microlearning
Additional micro-learning engagements (1-5 minutes) through 7-taps (e.g. readings, videos, and knowledge checks) to keep the learning and practicing going – disseminated through WhatsApp, email, or text (twice per month in Year 1 and once per month in Year 2).
Virtual Coaching
Virtual coaching in Year 2 to showcase SEL-academic integration, brainstorming problems of practice, and obtain feedback on SEL-academic integration practices.
How is the Harmony Curriculum embedded in the model?
Teachers often say they believe in social and emotional learning (SEL), but they find it hard to implement, given their current demands. They may also feel unsure of what SEL-Academic Integration means or looks like in the classroom.
Research shows that SEL enhances academic learning, and in fact, can be embedded and integrated with intention. That’s why Harmony Academy is developing a new, innovative program model called “Harmony SEL-Academic Integration.” The program guides teachers to integrate SEL seamlessly into academic instruction. As part of this grant, 3rd –5th grade teachers will receive Harmony SEL-Academic Integration, which includes implementation of Harmony Curriculum (Everyday Practices, Units, Lessons, and Activities) as a tool for academic instruction as well as professional learning, coaching, and useful tools and strategies that they can apply immediately in their classrooms.
What are the incentives?
Schools receive financial incentives for each year of participation, no-cost access to the Harmony Curriculum and professional learning, and a video camera to promote coaching and feedback, among other Harmony collateral.
Who is currently supported by the grant?
We are currently working with two districts: New York City Public Schools and San Antonio Independent School District with plans to expand our reach in the years ahead. We are looking for additional districts that already use Harmony schoolwide and want to lean into integrating Harmony Curriculum more purposefully in grades 3–5. We are randomly selecting schools to receive training beginning in the Fall of 2024. District, school, and teacher leaders can contact the Harmony and AIR research team at harmonyresearch@air.org to share their interest or ask additional questions.
A Recent Highlight:
“I made progress towards my goal of being more patient with myself, by giving myself time to process the information and understand it. I feel that the SEL Academic Integration is very helpful for students whose feelings are not regulated enough to be able to learn. I’m hoping to achieve more SEL integration next year with all my students.”
Stella Tijerina,
Douglass Elementary School,
Inclusion and Resource Teacher