Transforming Education: The Urgent Need for Compassionate Leadership

Nicole R. Benquechea, Social Media Specialist and Research Assistant

Recent research underscores a troubling connection between the absence of transformative leadership in education and the intensification of the mental health crisis among children. Schools lacking effective leadership report significantly higher rates of anxiety and depression among students. For instance, data indicates that students from schools without strong leadership structures have 30% higher anxiety and depression than those with supportive leadership (Mental Health America, 2023).

Additionally, findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show a substantial rise in mental health-related emergency visits among children, highlighting the urgent need for transformative educational leadership to address these mental health challenges (CDC, 2023).

Initiatives such as the Compassionate School Leadership Academy (CSLA) are important interventions, providing professional development, mindfulness and social-emotional learning programs, trauma-informed practices, community building, mental health support, leadership coaching, and research and data analysis to foster compassionate school environments and improve academic and social outcomes. According to a recent report from The Center for Transformative Leadership in Education, the absence of transformative leadership in education significantly obstructs efforts to meet students' mental health needs (Center for Transformative Leadership in Education, 2023; Smith & Johnson, 2024)...

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Teaching Emotional Intelligence: SEEING a New Way to Heal Classrooms and Change Lives

Dr. Donna Housman, founder of Housman Institute

CEI and Housman Institute are launching SEEING, a new collaboration for Supporting Educators’ Emotional Intelligence and Growth. Housman Institute focuses on helping children learn emotional intelligence skills starting at birth, a strong complement to CEI’s focus on Heart Centered Learning. At the core of both of our missions is a belief that powerful skills are attainable for students (and teachers) in all phases of life. 

Understanding the Need for Emotional Intelligence  

Students of all ages struggle with emotional challenges that inhibit their ability to engage effectively in the classroom. A staggering 77% of teachers say their job is frequently stressful (Lin, Parker, & Horowitz, 2024). Teacher burnout and turnover rates are at an all-time high, making it difficult for schools to retain stable, experienced staff. 

Naysayers might have you believe that we face an intractable challenge, but we know differently. 

Emotional intelligence is among the most important determinants of lifelong success, cutting across all socioeconomic divides (Rivers et al., 2012). Research shows that from birth, children are capable of learning the building blocks of emotional intelligence; numerous studies have demonstrated that equipping our youngest learners with emotional intelligence skills helps them become healthy lifelong learners and increases well-being (Carmeli et al., 2009).  

Because children learn relationally, this requires teachers who are emotionally available and equipped to model these skills...

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Looking to Enact Change? Start with School Climate and Culture

Laura O'Connell, CSLA Site Coordinator, and Meghan Wenzel, CEI Researcher & Co-Editor

"You can't really know where you are going until you know where you have been" - Maya Angelou 

When leaders are looking to enact positive change in schools, it is important to clearly understand the goals and driving force for change, as well as the current climate and culture as perceived by students, staff, and parents. While school climate focuses on the immediate perceptions and experiences within the school, school culture delves into the deeper, more enduring values and traditions that define the school community. Both are essential for fostering a supportive, effective, and positive educational environment, impacting student and staff attitudes, engagement, relationships, and well-being. 

Defining School Climate and Culture 

First, let’s define these two terms: 

• School climate refers to the character and quality of school life. It encompasses attitudes, feelings, and behaviors, as well as norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices, and organization of the school. Key components include safety, relationships, teaching practices, and physical environment. 
• School culture refers to the deeply embedded values, beliefs, traditions, norms, and collective identity that shape the behavior and practices of all members of the school community. It’s the shared ethos and is more stable and enduring over time. Key components include values, traditions, rituals, and historical influences. 

Why Do They Matter?  

• A positive school culture and climate significantly influence student and staff outcomes...

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The Importance of Supporting Positive Racial and Ethnic Identity Development in Students

Nicole R. Benquechea, Social Media Specialist and Research Assistant

"Every child deserves a champion—an adult who will never give up on them, who understands the power of connection and insists that they become the best that they can possibly be." - Christine Mason, Randy Ross, Orinthia Harris, and Jillayne Flanders in Little Learners, Big Hearts: A Teacher’s Guide to Nurturing Empathy and Equity in Early Childhood 

In our increasingly interconnected world, nurturing a positive racial and ethnic identity in students isn't just about understanding diversity; it's about empowering individuals to embrace their unique cultural heritage and shape a more inclusive future. In Little Learners, Big Hearts: A Teacher’s Guide to Nurturing Empathy and Equity in Early Childhood, Mason, Ross, Harris, and Flanders (2024) emphasize the importance of fostering a positive sense of ethnic and racial identity, particularly for students from marginalized groups, as it helps them confront the adverse effects of discrimination and prejudice. 

Little Learners, Big Hearts is a comprehensive guide designed to foster empathy and equity in young children. The book emphasizes heart centered learning and integrates principles of hope, self-education, acknowledgment, resolution, and responsive teaching to create a foundation for antiracism. 



The book helps educators address and overcome biases, promote understanding of diverse backgrounds, and engage in challenging conversations about race and ethnicity. It provides practical strategies for creating an inclusive classroom environment where students can develop a strong sense of their racial and ethnic identity from an early age. Little Learners, Big Hearts aims to create a more just and inclusive educational experience, laying the groundwork for compassionate and equitable communities...

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