A Conversation With Trish Keiller

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

I believe the SEL and EQ skills are, in essences, the essential skills one needs to create a life worth living – one where joy and happiness are accessible through creating strong, positive, powerful relationships; through managing stress and anxiety; and through creating opportunity by engaging a growth mindset.

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

With the skills of SEL and EI, I have created a life where I feel empowered from the inside out, regardless of circumstances. I have tools, practices, techniques and mindsets that enable me to enjoy the journey, overcome obstacles with grace, engage people in deep ways so as to support their own transformation.

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

The greatest challenge in education is shifting systems and moving through mindsets that are limited in what’s been before and what comes next.

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

The greatest opportunity in education today is that the pandemic has created space for us to review our systems in school and begin the transformation that is possible. Prior to the pandemic, it is no secret that collectively, our school culture and climate and success for kids was not where we want it. We don’t want things going back to where they were and this time gives us a great tool to introduce new norms, agreements and ways of being that actually truly support kids and educators so all can thrive.