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Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

The need for Emotional Intelligence development is the heart of true personal growth and healing. The future is inevitable, and the people that invest in this now will not only have the competitive advantage, they’ll also be more fulfilled, more enthusiastic, less stressed, less anxious, and more flexible, all of which lead to sustainable innovation, growth, and fulfillment.

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

As an entrepreneur, EQ is has been pinitol to the success of my business. As a human, it has has helped me heal past traumas, dial in my focus for daily peak productivity and performance, and increasing my self-worth and belief.

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

I hold a Master’s Degree in Higher Education but chose not to work within the school system for two main reasons.
1. The curriculum is too rigid which constricts emotional development and creativity.
2. The curriculum does an overall poor job getting students ready for the real challenges of adolescence and adulthood.

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

1. Emotional Development to understand how to move through life challenges efficiently and effectively
2. Curriculum that stimulates creativity and readiness for adolescence

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

Social emotional learning (SEL) helps students of all ages to better comprehend their emotions, to feel those emotions fully, and demonstrate empathy for others. EQ, the ability to recognize emotion in yourself and others, and to use that awareness to guide your decisions. Both are lacking in today’s society and the awareness must begin at the earliest age possible.

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

From a personal perspective, having grown up bullied and ridiculed, it was absolutely necessary for me to learn how to be in touch with and control my emotions. I could not teach how to do this if not able to do for myself. Using tools I have incorporated into my own life enhances what I can do to guide others through the process. It is an ongoing process.

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

1. How some teachers relate, respond and react to students.
2. The teaching of SEL and EQ as well as financial literacy.

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

The opportunity to teach SEL and EQ techniques and applying them daily will enhance the school experience for both the student and teacher. Teachers and parents recognizing their impact on children.

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.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

I believe EQ and SEL are important because it gives educators, parents, and families the to dive a little deeper into the needs of students. It also provides a safe space where people can glean the knowledge given.

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

Not that I can think of at the moment.

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

I believe work-life balance and mental health are the two main challenges in all grade levels.

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

Creating support groups with like minded people who desire each other to succeed.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

SEL forms the foundation for children to succeed in school and later in life. Equipping children with SEL and EQ skills is critical to help them navigate day-to-day social interactions and events, and eventually enables the development of well-adjusted and content adults.

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

The past couple of years has been challenging in different ways for everyone. For me, living away from family, the uncertainty introduced by the pandemic brought with it feelings of worry, helplessness, and despair. During these times, the ability to understand and label my feelings helped me address them. I was able to identify appropriate coping mechanisms, be kinder with myself, and pause when necessary, which greatly helped deal with the stresses of a global pandemic.

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

The importance of social-emotional well-being cannot be overstated – children have been through so much in the last couple of years, and it is our responsibility as educators to equip them with appropriate tools and strategies as they readjust to the new normal.

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

Additionally, the pandemic has also surfaced the gross inequities in our society. I believe it is time for us to rethink how schools serve children and how they reach the most vulnerable – it can no longer be a one-size fits all solution. We have to step-up to recognize the unique circumstances and contexts children come from, understand their needs, identify the strengths they bring, and make every effort to meet them where they are.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

The subconscious brain is powerful beyond measure. We like people unknowingly and we hate them with equal not-knowingness.

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

SEL is my driving force, my cosmic fuel. It energises me to offer . When I come from a place of non judgement and deep unconditional love, I see synergies building up in the room. I see familis drop their ego battles and merge as one. This is my super power.

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

Content – Delivery

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

The limitless expanse of knowledge sharing and the global reach.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

Social media has opened an unexpected alternate world. While allowing us to connect with family, friends, and people from all over the world, it has also provided a space for us to say unfiltered things that we “feel” based off a an emotion that was triggered, all with little to no real-world implications. As a result, we don’t have to look far on social media to see a glimpse of what a world without EQ and SEL might look like. I believe now more than ever it is imperative that we build these foundations of self-awareness, empathy, emotional health, and acceptance within our society.

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

A few days after my grandmother had passed in 2017, I found myself at an early morning donut adventure; I had been preparing for her funeral that evening and hadn’t slept well. As I walked in, the young lady working behind the counter appeared nervous and disheveled. She took my order and started preparing the box for the donuts. I asked her if everything was alright. It was then that she explained that the police had just left. A few hours before, an older man that she hadn’t seen before had just walked in. He sat down, ordered a drink, and proceeded to watch her in a way that made her uncomfortable. After a while, she decided to text her father who lived a few blocks away to ask him if he’d come over to her work because she wasn’t comfortable with this man and the comments he had been making. When she picked up her phone, the man told her to put it down. She did, now frightened for what might happen. It was then that another customer walked in. This customer must have seen the signs that something was bothering the employee, so they called the police. The police came and apprehended the man after they found out that he had a warrant for his arrest. As she finished telling me the story, I let her know that my grandmother had just passed and one of my grandma’s gifts was always knowing when someone needed a hug. I barely got the work “hug” out of my mouth as the employee came out from behind the counter for a short but healing embrace.

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

The complexities of the social, emotional, and academic needs of the students. There is a challenge for a single educator to address the varying needs of many students.

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

I think that the land of opportunity is wide open as we are learning more and more about how to best help children achieve despite the many different family, socioeconomic, and learning needs.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

An emphasis on SEL and EQ is what drives learning and creates systems for students to meet the challenges of each day. Now, more than ever, adults have a responsibility to build foundational connections and to teach our youth to self-regulate in times of adversity.

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

In working with refugee students and students with high numbers of adverse childhood experiences, I found myself stuck in a pattern of vicarious trauma. I suffered significant physical and emotional symptoms. It was in training of trauma informed practices and applied educational neuroscience that I was able to balance effective self-care with service to others. Now I speak to audiences about the science and practice of Trauma Informed Care, but 70% starts with one’s own regulation.

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

Schools throughout the nation are experiences a shortage – not just of teachers – but of all human resources. This is leaving many in the field to be exhausted and emotionally battered. The more tired adults are, the less tolerant they are. Meanwhile, students are trying desperately to communicate through behaviors. Dysregulated adults cannot help dysregulated children.

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

Problems are opportunities. The advancements and findings in applied education neuroscience are changing the way that we approach learning by changing the lens by which we view discipline. The challenges of today will force caregivers, including teachers, to attend to the SEL and EQ needs of each child first. In meeting children where they are in their brains and in their nervous systems, we are better able to give them the skills to navigate through the world.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

SEL and EQ impact everything we do in our schools. The educational practices of the past, coupled with the pandemic, have created a dynamic where we must finally focus on addressing trauma and the well-being of all those entering our schools.

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

As humans, we are constantly looking to make connections and improve ourselves. Trauma from Adverse Child Experiences (ACE) impacts how we see and interact with the world. By owning my own story of trauma, I’ve been better able to help others through training and speaking engagements.

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

The factory model of education continues despite the growing challenges our students, families and staff face. We must move from a model of compliance to a model when we learn about ourselves, how our brain works and trauma’s impact on learning and connecting.

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

The pandemic has accelerated change in our schools. We have the opportunity to change how we view practices such as grading, curriculum, and discipline with an SEL lens.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

Without any doubt they are the only way humans can change their destiny in a good way for everyone of us and the planet. Technology is fantastic, but unfortunately it is destined to fail, as it’s not tuned with nature. The only question is: have we lost this connection as well or not? SEL and EQ keep and improve this harmonic balance.

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

Emotional Intelligence started my “career”. I had no idea I would have done this job in my life, until I discovered Daniel Goleman’s first book, during my last year at University. Some months later, it happened a very famous Italian Jesuit listened to a private conversation of mine. He was struck by the subject and my passion: even before I got graduated he made me holding my first public conference. Since then, I never stopped.

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

The online lessons and a lack of human relations, often imposed.

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

The ability of integrating SEL in everyday lessons and the possibility of doing virtual tours of museums or distance places, maybe too far away or expensive to reach.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

SEL and EQ are very important because it encompasses an abundance of vital lifeskill individuals need in order to be successful, which can include; conflict resolution, appropriate coping mechanisms, stress management, etc.

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

My son having a horrible performance in tee ball (and wanting to quit after the first game), lead to a motivational speech between him and I. This conversation ultimately became an SEL lesson embedded in the first book of “The Dizz Wizz Series” and is entitled “Dizz Wizz Speaking In Into Existence.”

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

Staffing and adapting to learning in a variety of platforms (in person and virtual learning).

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

The ability to refine your skills through professional development and upward mobility.