Dr. Novick's book is an absolute gem. All school districts have struggled with the same issues that he addresses in this book for a long time. It's easy for us to get lost in abstract ideas about what we want SEL in our schools to look like—and then when it comes down to actually making changes in our schools the work can feel overwhelming. Dr. Novick gives us a way forward. He does a fantastic job of identifying strategies we can use, but most importantly, he provides us with skillful and practical ways to implement those strategies both school wide and by student. Dr. Novick's book is a must-read for school leaders and teachers who hope to quickly and easily begin to tackle SEL in school.

Courtney McNeely, EdD, Superintendent Pittsgrove School District

I'm a huge fan of Dr. Novick's work. His book is full of practical strategies and insights that help teachers understand how to implement the most effective SEL practices in the classroom every day. As an experienced high school teacher, I find his approach to be particularly helpful. He provides a clear framework for understanding how students learn emotional intelligence and what teachers can do to support them in this journey. He even includes several actionable steps for putting those ideas into practice in any subject at any grade level. Dr. Novick's suggestions have given me confidence that my students are getting the most out of their time in school, without having to spend an enormous amount of time figuring out how to implement techniques efficiently. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who wants to improve their teaching practices and better support students."

Jennifer Loper, EdD, Classroom Teacher

For the past several years the buzz around “SEL" has been growing louder. In “Beyond Academic Success: Creating Social-Emotional Learning Balance in Elementary Students”, Dr. Brett J. Novick breaks through the noise and brings the research and empirical findings to the forefront. Through relatable metaphors and case studies, Novick makes SEL accessible and provides practical applications that will resonate with educators, administrators, and parents.

Jessica Baldwin, M.S.Ed, BCBA, The Stepping Stones Group

Novick’s core values of mindfulness and authenticity shine through in this latest contribution. This book
goes beyond making a significant contribution to the field of education. Dr. Novick presents an authentic
spotlight on factors that affect the educational experience for students, their families, educators, and
administrators. Dr. Novick leverages professional experience and formal education with compassion for
students and advocacy for the tenets of social-emotional learning. Reflective case studies are presented
to invoke introspection and critical thinking. A common-sense guide with theory complemented by
meaningful practical application.

Gail Claybrooks, Dr., Dissertation Coordinator and Research Coach, American College of Education