The Importance of Holistic Education, Metacognition, SEL, and More. Part 1 interview with Dr. Jean Marie Schmidt.

By Ria Uiterloo

In a recent interview with Dr. Jean Marie Schmidt, a passionate education professional, college lecturer in Academic Success, educationalist, author, and TedX speaker affiliated with the Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, we discuss why creating the right conditions for holistic learning is essential and how it can impact the inequality gap. She also shares insights on the importance of metacognition, SEL (Social Emotional Learning), and how the education system can be improved.

The responsibility to eliminate the impact of inequality on the educational landscape is not solely on students and teachers to perform well; educational management plays a crucial role in creating the right conditions for holistic learning.

School managements must not live in their own world, focusing solely on their school and interests. Dr. Schmidt acknowledges that inequality in St. Maarten is significant, and some parents send their children to private schools to prevent them from being placed among different social classes. However, she warns that the gap between the rich and the poor is not just financial but also socio-psychological in nature.

The Inequity Gap and Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

She explains it as follows: "The contrast between those who have access to quality education and those who do not is a concerning situation for our island. This lack of equality not only affects the education system but also the quality of the upbringing children receives. Children who have had the opportunity to attend private schools generally perform better and often pursue successful higher education abroad. Yet, we see a paradoxical situation emerging, which we can describe as 'wounded success.' This means that even high-achieving students, with good jobs and solid educations, can carry psychological scars. The social and emotional aspect of their development often remains underemphasized because they become isolated due to a lack of social interaction and relationships. These students may have achieved academic success, but at what cost? It is distressing to see an increase in mental health issues among highly educated individuals. This is because their education often focuses exclusively on cognitive aspects, while social and emotional skills and collaboration remain underemphasized. Furthermore, she explains that the inequity gap starts as a financial gap and is now evolving into a socio-psychological issue. On islands like St. Maarten, it is crucial to pay attention to this. We risk creating a profound divide in our society, which will ultimately be harmful to all of us. She confirms that poverty alleviation is not just about financial support. It is equally important to pay attention to the mental health and emotional well-being of individuals."

SEL, Metacognition, and Self-Regulated Learning

SEL, or Social Emotional Learning, is, therefore, a crucial part of the educational process. It helps children develop skills such as self-awareness, empathy, self-control, building relationships, and decision-making. These skills are essential for coping with life's challenges. Jean Marie confirms this and emphasizes that it goes hand in hand with cognitive development, as well as with metacognition. What we often see today is people saying, "Oh, we are going to teach children study strategies." I agree with that, but these strategies should not be separate from regular lessons. They are not special study skills that are treated separately. No, they should be integrated into daily education. Why? Because metacognition is only one part of a larger process. If social-emotional learning does not run parallel to the development of metacognition, it will not be effective.

Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning

In the conversation, Dr. Schmidt emphasizes the importance of Metacognition. Metacognition, the ability to think critically about our own thought process, plays a crucial role in the self-regulated learning we want to promote. It involves planning, guiding, and evaluating our learning. However, Jean Marie emphasizes that metacognition is only a small part of self-regulated learning.

Executive functions are the skills that go hand in hand with metacognition. To self-regulate and critically reflect on our thinking, we must also critically think about our emotions, behavior, and feelings. Schools need to ensure that executive functions are strengthened. Children should be able to develop skills such as collaboration, decision-making, critical thinking, and become aware of their own and others' feelings.

In response to my comment that mental health often receives too little attention, and that there has been an increase in mental health issues in recent years, Dr. Schmidt agrees and points out that this problem exists in other countries as well. She emphasizes that there are many initiatives to discuss societal issues, but she wonders where the support is for teachers to discuss these issues among themselves. Often, teachers are expected to just deal with it. She emphasizes that she is glad I advocate for holistic education. Holistic education means that we pay attention not only to the brain but also to the body. She suggests that it is actually the body that does the work, not just the brain.

See part 2 of the article, next!