--- title: Thomas Paine Elementary Uses LMC to Impact Social & Emotional Learning description: Description of how LMC was used to rethink schedule, rostering, and curriculum to alleviate workload and student behavioral challenges image: https://lmcpartnerships.org/hubfs/IMG_7338%20(2)%20(1).jpg --- [Skip to content](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/thomaspaineelem#main-content) [![NJLMC-Logo_Horiz](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hubfs/Artwork/NJLMC-Logo_Horiz.png "NJLMC-Logo_Horiz")](https://lmcpartnerships.org) - [About](https://lmcpartnerships.org/about) - [Events](https://lmcpartnerships.org/lmc-events) - [PreCon 2026](https://lmcpartnerships.org/precon2026) - [Well-Being Study Enrollment](https://lmcpartnerships.org/et-study) - [Stories](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog) - [Resources](https://22126916.hs-sites.com/blog/tag/toolkit) Sep 19, 2025, 12:49:26 PM # Thomas Paine Elementary Uses LMC to Impact Social & Emotional Learning ![Picture of Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot/Untitled%20design%20(5).png?width=50&name=Untitled%20design%20(5).png) [Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/author/kim-crane) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/thomaspaineelem) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/thomaspaineelem) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/thomaspaineelem) When Thomas Paine Elementary School Principal Melissa Gleason reviewed data points from the New Jersey School Climate and Inventory Survey, she found two areas that consistently scored low across all 19 district schools. The areas were interpersonal relationships and collaboration time between teachers and staff. “The entire district scored low in those two areas,” said Gleason, “so we decided to talk about both of them in our LMC.” The Labor Management Collaborative (LMC) focused first on interpersonal relationships. Gleason worked closely with school counselor Missy Santiago and colleague Christopher Gaffney to investigate the reasons behind the low scores. They discovered that students weren’t saying kind things to one another or showing mutual respect—an issue that, if left unaddressed, could escalate into ongoing conflict. While the district’s guidance office staff were already providing targeted social and emotional learning (SEL) instruction during classroom visits, the building’s LMC recognized the need for a broader approach, like implementing a common lesson on empathy. One challenge was how to fit additional lessons into an already tight schedule while gaining schoolwide buy-in from staff. Santiago and Gaffney presented an evidence-based goal-setting and problem-solving strategy called WOOP (Wish, Obstacle, Outcome, Plan) at a faculty meeting. Staff were given time to collaborate and work through each of the four WOOP components to create a plan that would optimize SEL for both students and staff. Since all students attend specials, such as music and art, at scheduled times, staff agreed that SEL could be integrated into the special classes without disrupting academic instruction. “The kids now break off to do different SEL activities with the music teacher, art teacher and other specialists,” said Santiago, “They might be leading a breathing strategy or doing other mindful activities with the goal of improving respect for themselves and others.” As a result, Thomas Paine students now have a common language to help them refocus, remember helpful strategies and resolve conflicts appropriately throughout the week. If students need to go to reset, they can visit familiar, trained staff members for support. Schoolwide, everyone is now speaking the same SEL language. “After integrating special subject areas with SEL, the specials’ teachers expressed feeling like they have more of a voice in our school community,” Gleason said, “We’ve also received some amazing feedback from the kids. They’ve told me that they find Mindful Mondays very calming.” Thomas Paine Elementary students have become empowered. The changes in their school’s SEL program allow students to resolve conflicts independently, talk through problems using shared SEL language and tools, and seek adult help if there are still challenges. Some older students have become so skilled that they’re able to coach peers in using the SEL strategies. “We want everything in their hands, but we need to teach them these skills because they’re still young,” Gleason said. “I used to have a line of kids sitting in my office after every recess, and now it’s not as often. Empowering our kids with the skills to resolve interpersonal conflicts has made a big difference.” [Stories](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/stories), [Student Behavior](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/student-behavior), [SEL](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/sel), [Workload](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/workload) ## Related posts [![](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Artwork/Untitled%20design%20(7).png?height=200&name=Untitled%20design%20(7).png)](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/evolving-leadership-through-lmc-peer-coaching) [Stories](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/stories), [Ecosystem of Support](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/ecosystem-of-support), [Union](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/union), [Principals & Supervisors](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/principals-supervisors), [Peer Coaching](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/peer-coaching) ## [Evolving Leadership Through LMC Peer Coaching](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/evolving-leadership-through-lmc-peer-coaching) ![Picture of Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot/Untitled%20design%20(5).png?width=50&name=Untitled%20design%20(5).png) [Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/author/kim-crane) Mar 27, 2026, 2:02:10 PM [Read more](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/evolving-leadership-through-lmc-peer-coaching) [![](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Manchester%20logo%20(1).png?height=200&name=Manchester%20logo%20(1).png)](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/manchester-township-builds-lmc-agendas-through-collective-engagement) [Stories](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/stories), [Empowered Participants](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/empowered-participants), [Partnering with the Community](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/partnering-with-the-community), [Wins](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/wins) ## [Manchester Township Builds LMC Agendas Through Collective Engagement](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/manchester-township-builds-lmc-agendas-through-collective-engagement) ![Picture of Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot/Untitled%20design%20(5).png?width=50&name=Untitled%20design%20(5).png) [Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/author/kim-crane) Mar 6, 2026, 10:27:54 AM Building shared ownership [Read more](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/manchester-township-builds-lmc-agendas-through-collective-engagement) [![](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/School%20logos/ET_Logo-Color.png?height=200&name=ET_Logo-Color.png)](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/thriving-together-how-lmc-fuels-educator-well-being) [Ecosystem of Support](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/ecosystem-of-support), [Results](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/results), [Wins](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/tag/wins) ## [Thriving Together: How LMC Fuels Educator Well-Being](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/thriving-together-how-lmc-fuels-educator-well-being) ![Picture of Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Headshot/Untitled%20design%20(5).png?width=50&name=Untitled%20design%20(5).png) [Kimberly Crane](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/author/kim-crane) Jan 8, 2026, 1:51:43 PM In school districts across New Jersey and the nation, a revolution is underway. Changes in... [Read more](https://lmcpartnerships.org/blog/thriving-together-how-lmc-fuels-educator-well-being)   ![NJLMC-Icon](https://lmcpartnerships.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Artwork/NJLMC-Icon.png?width=150&name=NJLMC-Icon.png "NJLMC-Icon") ## Our Support The New Jersey Labor Management Collaborative, an initiative dedicated to fostering productive relationships between labor and management in New Jersey’s educational system, thrives through the robust support of the National Education Association (NEA). This partnership exemplifies NEA’s commitment to enhancing educational environments not only in New Jersey but across the nation.  The NEA, as part of the National Labor Management Partnership (NLMP), a coalition of the national organizations of the nation’s educators, is cultivating a dynamic ecosystem of support that empowers districts to implement collaborative strategies effectively. Through providing crucial resources, expertise and ongoing consultation, the NLMP nurtures a sense of collective efficacy between labor and management, driving improvements in teaching conditions and student outcomes.  This collaborative approach has shown tangible benefits, leading to more cohesive school communities and a better educational experience for all stakeholders. By backing initiatives like the New Jersey Labor Management Collaborative, NEA demonstrates its dedication to fostering a culture of cooperation and mutual respect within the education sector, paving the way for sustained success and innovation.  For more information about NEA’s role in labor management collaboration, visit *[nea.org/collaboration](http://nea.org/collaboration?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz--a-CPUORCZmYNlfJr6IpE0I6PEKpkZhY8CGgoIise9UFZFz9whESs4JsWV1Zx7htCChMvz).  *   The New Jersey Labor Management Collaborative 172 W. 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