ABSTRACT
The purpose of this mixed methods study was to understand the experiences of sixth-grade teachers in two suburban Philadelphia counties while teaching social and emotional learning (SEL) practices during the 2020-2021 school year amidst the COVID-19 global pandemic. In this study, sixth-grade teachers were surveyed on their use of ten SEL teaching practices. They were asked to compare their pandemic teaching experience to years prior to the pandemic. Follow up interviews provided greater detail on the impact the pandemic had on school climate and teaching SEL practices, and the perceived challenges and triumphs teachers reported.By synthesizing quantitative and qualitative data, the researcher gained a broader understanding of teachers' experiences teaching during a global pandemic and identified factors that affected their perceived abilities to teach SEL practices. All children attending school during the COVID-19 pandemic felt the disruption to their learning environments. School leaders at all levels have an opportunity to learn from and support teachers' experiences. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)