Why Summer is the Smartest Time to Plan Emotionally Intelligent PD

Most district PD plans are built around competency — instructional strategies, data literacy, technology integration. All necessary. None of it addresses the skill gap quietly driving burnout, conflict, and turnover in nearly every district I work with: emotional intelligence.

Using AI as an Emotional Intelligence Tool

 Sometimes we can’t see our own emotional complexity clearly because we’re inside it. Having something—whether AI, a journal, or a trusted friend—reflect our feelings back helps us recognize what we’re actually experiencing.

Beyond Survival: Emotional Intelligence as a Path to Mental Wellness

Survival alone isn’t enough. True wellness—the kind that allows us to thrive rather than just endure—requires understanding the emotional landscapes we navigate daily. This understanding is what we now call emotional intelligence, and it may be the most powerful tool we have for protecting and enhancing our mental health.

From Frustration to Focus: Tips for Managing Disappointment with Grace

Whether it’s an unachieved goal, a situation where we place hope or investment in outcomes driven by collective decisions or group choices, which may not align with our personal preferences, an unforeseen setback, or a long-awaited opportunity that slipped through our fingers, disappointment can strike even the most prepared among us.