A Conversation With Pierce Delahunt

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

“Every act we perform today must reflect the kind of relationships we are fighting to establish tomorrow.” — David Dellinger

Do you have any personal anecdotes about how SEL/EQ has brought you success in your
personal life/career?

In June, I protested against Line 3, in solidarity with my Indigenous comrades. I did this precisely because of my dedication to an SEL with complete integrity. To have taken action in solidarity with the oppressed, and give up my comforts and privileges: there is no greater fulfillment than this. The powerful transformation of being arrested by a State that refuses to acknowledge its violence against nonviolent people defending themselves and their land, is the most humbling thing

What do you believe to be one or two of the main challenges in education (K-8) today?

The greatest challenge, I believe, is overcoming the internalizations of the White Supremacist Hetero Cis Patriarchal Capitalist Imperialist Domination Culture in and all around us, including in our schools, pedagogies, our very own Social Emotional Learning curricula, and even ourselves as teachers and people

Conversely, what do you believe to be one or two of the biggest opportunities in education (K-8) today?

The biggest opportunity, I believe, is that of acting in solidarity with one another toward a collective liberation. In SEL, we highly value the community, and to expand community to all, toward such a purpose, is the most dear and fulfilling path.