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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.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

With the onset of COVID-19, it’s important now more than ever to learn ways to practice self-care. Our mental and emotional well-being will impact how we see the world and whether we see the opportunity or the struggle. SEL and EQ are our gateways to success as it shapes our beliefs and attitudes while inspiring our actions. A strong mindset will lead to new opportunities.

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

As a little girl I was very unsure of my self-worth and my confidence was pretty low. Learning how to transform my beliefs and question those beliefs that were not serving me well prompted me to do the work that I do today. I want to help others take the reins of life and create their own reality understanding that they too are worthy and can do whatever you put your mind to!

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

Of course COVID has changed the way our educators teach and the way students learn. But the main challenge is being open to the changes we see today and focusing on the opportunity rather than the challenge.

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

Training teachers to authentically engage through all platforms and helping students learn through various platforms.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

SEL and EQ are important because they allow us to see people (and ourselves) as whole people. Yes, we are rational/logical beings (IQ), AND we are more. We are emotional and energetic beings who are impacted (sometimes inexplicably) by what we experience. The more that we can recognize and understand our selves and all of our complexities, the more successful we can be. The more we can achieve. As individuals, as educational systems, as societies.

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

My career as a High Performance Coach is all about SEL/EQ. These skills are at the core of why I am able to do what I do, and help the people I help. Without SEL/EQ, I would not be able to see to the heart of what my clients struggle with, empathize with them, and give them actionable/sustainable solutions to transform their lives.

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

Two of the main challenges in K-8 education today are anxiety and stress. This is true for educators, parents, and students. We are all living in a new reality with COVID-19, virtual learning, and challenges in staffing. At the same time, we have the same demands for performance. The current environment in education has led to burnout for many, and there is no end in sight.

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

We all have an opportunity to transform the landscape. The old paradigms are not working in this new reality. It is time to shift systems, equip ourselves with new tools, and redirect the path so that we can create something new.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

SEL and EQ {and my methodology} allows adults to help students develop emotional intelligence, healthy social connections, an invincible mindset, and an unshakable sense of self. Which can greatly reduce the risk for many problems faced by youth today: violence, prejudice, racism, drug abuse, suicide, low motivation and achievement, and low self-esteem.

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

I was raised with traditional disciplinary methods of yelling, threatening, rewards, and physical punishment mixed with bouts of permissiveness. We were not an emotionally intelligent family. Before I had three children of my own, I made a vow never to replicate that. I was determined not to be that kind of parent. But when I had to face the challenges of parenting for myself, I would start out the day being very calm, but at some point, my child’s challenging emotions and behavior would trigger me and I would lose my cool. Then, I would go to bed feeling I was failing at this whole parenting gig. I realized I struggled to make peaceful and respectful parenting stick because of how my mind had been wired. I inherited parenting fears, bad habits, negative beliefs, and reactive behavioral patterns from my past, especially from my own childhood. These impacted the way I interacted with my children, especially when I was tired, stressed, or triggered. I desperately wanted to break this negative cycle. But the truth was NO parenting advice, tips, tools, tricks, or copious amounts of yoga truly helped until I upgraded my parenting mindset. It was not until I become emotionally equipped, overcome emotional blocks, broke poor parenting habits, and release parenting fears and negative beliefs, that I was then able to make peaceful parenting stick—finally.

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

The biggest challenge in k-8 education is bridging the school/home social and emotional gap. Offering a well-structured parenting education plan that elevates the parents’ emotional intelligence. (Emotionally stable, easy parents make your life easier as a school leader!) Parent ed. is random, disconnected, and shallow -as often schools will bring experts/authors to give their signature talk with no follow-up. Parents create more meaningful change in their family dynamics when they go deeper into strategies, coaching, and implementation. Helping parents effectively handle children’s social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in a healthy way. Communicating confidently and skillfully with children about their social and emotional challenges. And helping families become more emotionally intelligent. (Emotionally intelligent students equal better behavior, smooth classroom management, successful instruction, and more achievement.)

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

1- The entire school community of students, teachers, and parents can receive knowledge and skills to interact with each other in a way that supports and respect one another. Thereby achieving win/win solutions, creating consistency in discipline, and adopting a unified and universal message within the community.
2- I believe in a world in which all children experience healthy, peaceful, and positive childhoods. World peace starts with peace in our homes and classrooms. If we get this right, we can raise the next generation of emotionally equipped humans who can heal humanity.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

 21st Century Education , awareness of one world These thoughts are based on the brilliant report on “Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Youth to Engage the World” by Veronica Boix Mansilla & Anthony Jackson, affiliated with the Council of Chief State School Officers. In spite of recent political trends, our home planet is one world and cross-cultural influences will continue to grow. Whether with respect to pollution, wealth distribution, health, or politics, each country will contribute to modifying the world. Compared to the rest of the nation, my state, New Hampshire, is on the cutting edge of innovation, transitioning from time spent in the classroom as the criteria for graduation to competencies-based education. It also is current with an SEL curriculum called ‘Just Choose Love” created by Scarlette Lewis, the mother of a Sandy Hook victim. Most educators understand and successfully provide enough information and skill instruction to give students access to employment, but at the current rate of knowledge expansion and technological advances, if we went to sleep for five years and then suddenly woke up, our day would be a challenge. Technologies, sciences, and social trends are mutating so rapidly that what we know how to do now will become obsolete at a progressively more accelerated rate. These factors, plus the effects of Covid, War, Climate Change, and Economic instability are making demands of our nervous system that push average people towards a mental health crisis, However, the mind-body setup, our character, and our social-emotional skills will continue to serve us well. Skills that will sustain students, families and nations have more to do with our character than facts. The skills required to thrive in the 21st Century are detailed in a brilliant report titled “Educating for Global Competence: Preparing Our Youth to Engage the World” (2011) by Veronica Boix Mansilla & Anthony Jackson, affiliated with the Council of Chief State School Officers. This is a summary: 1. We must understand our psychological makeup to monitor and make life choices that will bring us health and happiness. 2. We need to become lifelong learners, flexible thinkers and open to new ideas. 3. We need to be culturally sensitive to other races, geographic influence, religions, economic and educational levels. 4. We need to become wise stewards of earth resources. 5. We need a moral compass for just social practices in business, as individuals and communities. Good teachers always endeavor to bring positive ethics into the classroom, but as an experienced advocate of social emotional learning, I would suggest that Social Emotional Learning become a co-curricular activity or be woven into all courses as a best practice. Curriculum and training for teachers to understand and use collaborative, thought-provoking, emotionally profound lessons to deeply engage their charges is essential for them to become 21st-century thinkers.

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

The biggest influence in my life has been the study of Advaita Vedanta with the Advaita Vedanta Meditation Group in Waltham Mass

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

Self Regulation – acceptance of Diversity

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

Global Community Communication–Emphasis on Well Being

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

I believe SEL and EQ are important components toward each of us becoming well-rounded beings. The ability to understand ourselves and also navigate the ever evolving environments we find ourselves in can be tricky. Having a sound understanding (and practice) of SEL and EQ skills simply makes being in the “present” a little more palatable.

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

I wouldn’t even know where to start with answering this question. I grew up in public housing with 10 siblings in the 80’s-90’s. I could write books on how SEL/EQ helped me to evolve into the woman I am today. What I will say is that self-efficacy was, and still is, a huge factor in how I navigate challenges. I believe thoughts (or beliefs) become reality. I always imagined that “I could” and therefore it became my reality.

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

One of the main challenges in education is the disconnect between school and home/community, especially in low-income communities. Children can’t learn if they are afraid, hungry and tired. At the beginning of each school day, student’s should be met by a welcoming, nurturing and empathetic staff. All classes should encompass approximately 1-2 minutes of mindful breathing and perhaps journaling or open conversation (if appropriate). There should also be a weekly/monthly Newsletter (and/or meetings) whereby families are educated on SEL/EQ for themselves as well as practicing these skills as a family. Families should also be provided with information to reliable local resources: food, shelter, mental-health, healthcare, childcare, etc. on a consistent basis.

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

There is a huge opportunity in K-8 education to shape the next generation of beings who care about humanity and the planet we share.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

WE follow model of collective intelligence which are sum of 4-5 intelligence , Physical or body intelligence, cognitive intelligence or IQ , emotional intelligence or EQ , RQ as relational intelligence and finally SQ, spiritual intelligence.

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

Yes, as a certified EQ coach, the EQ skills have been enlightening for my life and work .

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

Peer pressure through social media, Understanding emotions and introduction of spirituality as human potential purpose.

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

Advance Technology , Early age exposure and learning

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

SEL and EQ skills are so crucial in being a successful human being. Much of our success is built upon community and relationships. SEL and EQ skills can support youth and adults in increasing their self-awareness, building positive relationships, and better equipping us to deal with the stressors in our lives.

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

I grew up in a small farming community in southern Minnesota, where we talked more about self-sacrifice than self-awareness. I started learning SEL skills when I changed positions to be an SEL Specialist. I didn’t even know what an “I” Message was, and I was to teach these skills to children! I was very fortunate to have a close relationship with the Elementary school social worker that mentored me in SEL skills. I am convinced that I teach what I need to learn the most; these are skills I needed as a parent, teacher, and partner for my life!

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

Challenges in K-8 education are coping with stress and navigating how to be together in a healthy way. Over the pandemic, children have forgotten how to be together and interact. There are multiple stressors on both the children and the adults, both experiencing a cycle of dysregulation (not having a calm brain and body). This causes unease and lack of safety in the home and school environment. When children do not feel safe and connected, learning can not occur, and they can not tap into what is best about themselves.

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

As adults, we have the opportunity to learn how to calm our nervous systems so we can help students calm their bodies and brains. The joy in this strategy is that it is easy to learn and implement in a classroom or home. Children can feel safe when the adults are calm, connected, and competent in the learning environment. We can all learn these skills! When we feel safe and secure, we can start looking at what is right with a child.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

As a psychotherapist and business leader, I believe SEL and EQ are essential life skills to cultivate self-awareness and conscious, compassionate communication to succeed both personally and professionally. Children need to be provided with tools to communicate, effectively resolve conflict and collaborate successfully.

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

My emotional intelligence is the primary skill I use as a psychotherapist, public speaker, professor and parent. I provide SEL and promote EQ in my presentations, articles and recent book. EQ helped me to succeed as an entrepreneur and to effectively manage my team as well as to effectively serve in leadership roles on state and regional professional counseling boards.

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

Parent/educator/student burnout as a normal response to the stressors of the pandemic and related mental health and family stress/conflict.

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

Promoting mental health awareness and providing tools for positive mental health and resilience.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

Jon suffered bullying and a poor self esteem due to his years in k-12, and now as a teacher, he’s spent the last two and a half decades creating classroom techniques that result in positive classroom cultures that also maximize student performance at the same time. Early in his career, Roni struggled with the high stresses and demands of teaching even losing touch with why he wanted to be a teacher in the first place. It was so painful that he finally discovered the power of integrating mindfulness, emotional intelligence, and positive psychology in his own life as well as in his classroom and felt called to share this new approach with the world.

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

I love to keep this quote top on mind: Until the teacher and student are of one mind, the teacher is hammering cold iron. Teachers are not simply content deliverers, ideally teachers should be leaders of young minds – more like a youth group leader. When the teacher is truly engaged with the student, not just at a surface level – there’s a greater chance for empathy on both sides. And that understanding and empathy is critical to do really creative, insightful and challenging academic work. One begets the other.

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

Poor pedagogy, what Hattie and Fullan call the “tell and practice model”, combined with a simplistic view of the unique qualities and jagged creative talents of students in our classrooms. We are underserving our students academically and emotionally.

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

We have a huge untapped opportunity to “rescue” kids from poor classroom practice and systems which are failing to deliver the SEL support our students need. With just a few changes, our outcomes to be dramatically better!

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

Research shows that our emotional skills are 80% of our success or failures in life. We must learn how to master our emotions skillfully. People feel empowered and confident when they can be resilient to setbacks and strong emotions. Emotions drive all human behavior and we must make this the foundation of all life skills.

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

At 28 I became the youngest woman publisher in the country. At the time I didn’t know it was my emotional maturity and EI that helped me succeed at such a young age. Now that EI is a critical part of my offerings, I now realize that my confidence, authenticity and personal drive are what helped me be successful in an “older man’s world.” I also used my social intelligence to think about the world in grays versus black and white. I still need to work on my impulse control and empathy skills! Emotional Intelligence continues to be my most popular and life changing programs I offer at The Culture Coaches.

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

Education can be too structured and a one size fits all. We are all so unique and learn in different ways. Also the traditional classroom space is not conducive for learning, connecting and creativity.

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

We also must learn to help students manage our collective anxiety as a society through confidence building and increase in resiliency through emotional and social skills. I see adults in the working world who just never learned good coping or relationships skills.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

Our internal and external connectedness are vital to overall well being. The more social and emotional skills we have and the greater our emotional intelligence, the healthier individuals and society will be.

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

In working with young children and their families around social and emotional challenges, I have had a great deal of success when I partner with parents and together we wrap around the child to create a strong net to teach missing skills or acquire additional supports.

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

In the ongoing pandemic, I believe teacher mental health and well being is the most important thing. If teachers are well cared for at this time of chronic stress, students and their educations will also be.

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

Transforming the way all institutions prioritize school-wide wellness/social and emotional learning

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

In order for students to achieve greatness in school and in life and be fulfilled and well-adjusted children and adults, they need to be able to have strong foundations in Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Responsible Decision Making, Relationship Skills & Social Awareness. The EQ is such an important part of life success.

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

As a life-time athlete, so much of who I am has been the result of learning to create goals, work together as a team, understand my role and create value utilizing my strengths, dealing with adversity, continuous improvement, connecting with others and so much more. These skills learned and honed have helped me as a teacher and school administrator. As a life-time educator and principal, I have had success, in large part, due to my ability to listen empathically to others, connect with others and show that i genuinely care and lead and model the qualities that I know help children have positive experiences in school and futures!

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

The first challenge is the immediate need to develop resiliency in students. We can all see how anxiety and depression can derail students of all ages in being happy, fulfilled and successful. The second challenge, is ensuring that school is meaningful for all students through creating relevant & deeper learning experiences. We need students to see their strengths and interests and how they can utilize these to create promising futures!

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

The biggest opportunity right now in education is the opportunity to create learning environments where students are excited about their learning! Gone are the days when students have to ask, “Why am I learning this?” Students should be able to see the real-world application of their learning and be able to apply their talents and strengths in creating projects that offer voice and choice. Students should be the producers of knowledge, rather than simply the consumer of knowledge as in days past. Additionally, with the use of technology and data, we can really zone in on students’ areas of need and personalize education in ways that maximize their learning.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

I believe that both teachers and students are empowered when the learning environment is safe and engaging. It is important that feelings and emotions are prioritized and explicitly taught throughout all content areas.

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

Fortunately for me, I have been implementing and researching SEL strategies for two decades and gradually incorporating them into my teaching tool box. In more recent years, I was relieved to find that much more researchers and advocacy groups provided me with even more resources and training to aid in my journey.

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

One of the biggest and unique challenges facing our education system today is the need for mental health services and the unexpected resistance and politicizing of those needs.

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

The biggest opportunities today in K-8 is to build adult competencies in behavioral and emotional needs for both themselves and their students. There is a need to see the interconnection between the two.

Why do you believe SEL and EQ are important?

In a profession that requires things like empathy and kindness, we must be fluent in our own SEL and emotional intelligence skills. These are skills that can not be taught if they are not practiced by the teacher. They are important because EQ has been proven to improve decision making skills and lead to happier more successful lives which is what we are all striving to see for our students and for ourselves as educators. Leaders with high EQ create happier workplaces and communities and it is contagious. So the more adept we are at processing and managing our emotions, both internally and socially, the more our entire society benefits; whether that society be as small as a home or classroom or a whole nation.

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

I now coach SEL and EQ skills and the current CEO I am working with has said that “this is the most proactive team we’ve ever had” after working with me on her EQ for just 18 months. The turn over rate has dropped to almost 0 at a time people are fleeing the service industry. As an educator, I have personally witnessed how my shift to focusing on the relationships in my classroom lead to 3 months academic growth without adding anything extra to my curriculum!

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

I conducted a survey of 500 educators asking this very question and the overwhelming response wad that Parents were the most painful part of teaching today. I believe that in teaching we need a team not just of educators but of the whole community. Having the most significant adults in our students lives put up obstacles for learning is completely demoralizing and exhausting for educators today.

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

The shift toward SEL focus and away from rigid one size fits all structures is the biggest opportunity to get involved in a movement that will lead to much happier communities and schools. This opportunity to put our relationships first, before assessments and the piles on our desks, is a chance to love our work and feel deeply fulfilled as educators. We will finally get to feel and SEE the difference we are making in lives.