In late September, I returned to Tulane University to wrap up our Fueling Educators' Emotional Development (FEED) workshop, and it was an incredibly fulfilling experience! The journey was amazing—meeting dedicated educators and clinicians and helping them explore new ways to integrate emotional intelligence into their lives, which can then extend into their teaching. The weekend focused on finishing strong and empowering these educators to bring both mental wellness and culturally responsive emotional intelligence (EI) into their classrooms.
What made FEED so impactful was the emphasis on mental wellness for educators, recognizing that emotionally healthy teachers are better equipped to support their students. The program centered on self-awareness and guiding educators in understanding and managing their emotions. This awareness is foundational not only for personal well-being but also for fostering emotionally supportive environments in the classroom. Key principles like self-management, social awareness, and relationship skills were highlighted as essential tools for teachers and students to thrive. During this final weekend, we dove deeper into how educators could reflect on their emotions and become empathetic leaders in their schools.
Equally important in FEED was the focus on culturally responsive teaching. Particularly for Black children, traditional educational resources often fail to reflect their cultural realities, leaving students feeling unseen and disconnected. Our program aimed to change that by bringing culturally relevant stories and knowledge into professional development, ensuring that teachers understand and can connect with their students' diverse backgrounds. It’s not about separating Black students. It’s about providing resources that uplift them while respecting their cultural experiences.
It takes two baby. This dual focus—on mental wellness and culturally responsive teaching—made FEED powerful. Educators left the workshop with the tools to foster emotionally intelligent, self-aware, and socially responsible students. Embracing emotional health and cultural competence laid the groundwork for a more inclusive, equitable, and emotionally safe learning environment for all students.
As we continue this work, I believe more schools and communities will embrace this balanced approach, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the support they need to thrive emotionally and academically. Wrapping up the weekend at Tulane felt like a significant step toward making that vision a reality.
I am Karen Cuthrell.
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