Cool Heads, Strong Hearts: Supporting Youth in Conflict Resolution through SEL

How can we equip young people to navigate conflict with compassion, clarity, and confidence? In this webinar, we’ll explore how the CASEL 5 competencies—self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making—can serve as a framework for teaching conflict resolution. Participants will learn concrete strategies and interactive activities to help youth recognize emotional triggers, express needs clearly, listen actively, and co-create peaceful solutions.

This webinar will be led by WestEd's own Dr. Theresa Pfister. Her experience in K-12, non-profit, and higher education settings position her at the intersection of research and evaluation and technical assistance. Her work at WestEd spans qualitative research, school climate, social-emotional learning, trauma-informed schools, school-based mental health, and equity in education.

Theresa earned a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Pomona College, a Masters in teaching from Relay GSE, and a PhD in Educational Psychology-Applied Developmental Science from the University of Virginia’s School of Education and Human Development. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals including Applied Developmental Science and The Journal of Early Adolescence, as well as practitioner-facing magazines such as ASCD's Educational Leadership and UC Berkeley's Greater Good.