The Navigator Institute (NI) conducted a five-week Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Seminar Series from January 31 to February 28, 2026, held every Saturday via Zoom. The series brought together Nav student leaders, teachers, staff, and alumni for sessions designed to support learning, reflection, and practical application. This initiative builds on the online Trainers Training conducted from April to June 2025.
Each session was attended by approximately 40–60 participants. Sessions were facilitated by staff and alumni, including several first time facilitators. Breakout discussions provided structured opportunities for participants to reflect on the content, share experiences, and consider practical applications.
The series aimed to develop facilitators who can serve as mental health advocates—equipped to understand, model, and multiply SEL in their schools, ministries, and communities. In response to the growing need for emotional support and holistic formation, the program envisions a network that promotes well-being, resilience, and healthy relationships grounded in both psychological principles and biblical values.
The long-term direction includes integrating SEL into fellowships, developing contextualized discussion materials, collaborating with community programs, and offering advanced training (e.g., psychological first aid and debriefing). It also seeks to align Bible study materials with SEL concepts and engage institutions such as DepEd and CHED. As SEL continues to gain recognition in educational settings, this presents an opportunity for the Philippine Navigators to serve as resource persons in schools and communities, offering a faith-integrated approach to personal and social development.
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) focuses on helping individuals understand and manage emotions, build healthy relationships, and make responsible decisions. It develops attitudes and skills that shape identity, empathy, relational capacity, and purposeful living. Through this series, the Philippine Navigators integrates insights from both Scripture and the academic field to support mental health, strengthening life skills, and foster meaningful connections. Ultimately, the initiative creates spaces of trust that open doors for faith conversations and moves toward becoming a core discipleship training that forms leaders who are spiritually grounded, emotionally intelligent, and socially responsive.
Some participants have begun using SEL materials in their respective ministries and communities. For example, Maricon Elloran, Regional Coordinator for Western Visayas, has integrated selected lessons into Bible studies with senior citizens. In Cebu, staff member Lani Johnson has been using the materials with youth through Blessings of Hope and is preparing for a small-scale SEL retreat/workshop in April with approximately 20 high school students, in partnership with a local church and community outreach initiatives.