Marlanea Heaven - How Social-Emotional Learning Helps Students Thrive

SUMMARY:In this episode of TLC Connections, Alyssa Brouse welcomes Marlanea Heaven, a counselor with The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth, for a thoughtful conversation about social-emotional learning, resilience, and the importance of helping young people build the skills they need to thrive.Drawing from her work in schools throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, Marlanea explains how social-emotional learning helps students develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, communication, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. She shares how classroom workshops, student success plans, and relationship-centered support can improve both academic performance and student well-being while creating safe spaces where young people feel seen, heard, and valued.The conversation also explores practical strategies for managing stress and anxiety, including nervous system regulation, mindfulness, grounding exercises, breathing techniques, and movement-based practices that students can use in everyday life. Marlanea discusses the science of neuroplasticity and encourages listeners to embrace the idea that people are never "stuck"—that growth and change remain possible throughout life.Throughout the episode, one message remains clear: when we intentionally teach emotional skills, create supportive environments, and help young people recognize their strengths, we don't just respond to problems—we help prevent them.GUEST BIO:Marlanea Heaven, MSW, is a counselor with The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth, where she provides social-emotional learning, counseling, and behavioral health support to students across multiple school districts. During her time with TLC, she has served as a Youth and Family Counselor, facilitated family reunification services, and developed innovative social-emotional learning workshops that help students build self-awareness, emotional regulation, communication skills, and resilience.Marlanea previously led social-emotional learning initiatives at Roosevelt High School in the Norristown Area School District, where she created classroom workshops and individualized student success plans that contributed to improved student outcomes, including increased course completion and fewer behavioral referrals.A U.S. Army veteran with a passion for prevention, mindfulness, and neuroscience-informed approaches to mental wellness, Marlanea is dedicated to helping young people recognize their strengths, navigate life's challenges, and understand that growth and healing are always possible.Learn more about TLC at:https://thelincolncenter.comHELPFUL LINKS:The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth https://thelincolncenter.comCommunity Evolve & Thrive https://www.communityevolveandthrive.comMarlanea Heaven – LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/marlaneaheaven/CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) https://casel.orgSPONSOR:The Lincoln Center for Family and Youth (TLC) is a social enterprise company based in the Greater Philadelphia Area. Founded in 1970 by a behavioral health hospital, TLC is an entrepreneurial nonprofit providing innovative education, coaching, and counseling services to individuals and families, as well as grant writing and management services for school districts and universities.