The author plays off the use of acronyms in education in describing the work of the Southeastern Educational Laboratory (SEL). The SEL was one of the regional educational laboratories established by the U. S. Office of Education in the late 60s to assist in the improvement of public education. It served Alabama, Florida and Georgia. The author served as its representative in Alabama and worked with six school system across the state in school improvement initiatives. Auburn University sponsored the work of the lab in Alabama.