At Impact Leadership Academy, Principal Kegler emphasizes, “If the top remains calm, the rest of us will too.” Preparing adults to maintain composure involves providing numerous opportunities for connection and mutual emotional learning. For instance, the art teacher hosts staff paint nights, while teachers participate in school-wide book studies that foster best practices and enhance community bonds. Moreover, replacing traditional faculty meetings, staff assemble for “Solution Session Wednesdays” to focus their energy on problem-solving.
Well-Being
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Intelligence is not enough. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.” In line with this philosophy, the schools that genuinely inspire us nurture children’s self-awareness and ability to interact constructively within a community.
The schools that inspire us integrate social-emotional learning into daily routines, fostering environments where children can thrive. Students start their day with options for morning greetings, engage in shared acknowledgments of effort, and regularly express gratitude. Such activities are more than rituals; they are crucial building blocks for developing essential social-emotional skills like recognizing and managing emotions.
Ana Trevino-Godfrey of Prelude Music, who partners with Farias Early Childhood Center, highlights the importance of these practices: “To be in a prime state for learning, children must feel respected and seen.” Her collaboration brings music and movement into the classroom, enhancing learning by making it dynamic, inclusive, and emotionally supportive.
Through intentional practices and collaborative efforts, these inspiring programs aim to educate and develop well-rounded individuals equipped to face the world’s challenges with intelligence and character.
