JumpStart Jellyfish Day (11/3/25)

QUOTE:  "Your emotions are the slaves to your thoughts, and you are the salve to your emotions." (Elizabeth Gilbert)

Emotional Literacy: Strengthening Educator Well-Being

As educators, we often face unique pressures that test not only our professional skills but also our inner resources. Marc Brackett, a leading thinker in this area, has emphasized the importance of emotional literacy as a cornerstone of resilience and long-term effectiveness in teaching and school leadership. Their work highlights that this need is not a luxury—it’s essential for both educators’ well-being and their ability to serve students effectively. Learn more about their perspective here: https://www.marcbrackett.com.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Educators can often sense when their emotional literacy is lacking. Signs might include:

• A growing sense of exhaustion or overwhelm that feels harder to shake.
• Negative or rigid thought patterns that make small challenges feel insurmountable.
• Emotional withdrawal from colleagues or students as a protective mechanism.
• Difficulty sustaining joy, curiosity, or compassion in daily interactions.

If you recognize these symptoms in yourself, it may be an indication that focusing on emotional literacy could make a meaningful difference.

A Strategy You Can Use Right Away

Name It to Tame It: When you notice an uncomfortable emotion rising, whether it’s frustration, anxiety, or discouragement, pause for 10 seconds and name the feeling out loud or in your mind (“I feel anxious,” “I feel impatient,” “I feel sad”). This simple act engages the prefrontal cortex, calming the emotional centers of the brain and creating a small but powerful space between you and the emotion.

Once named, take one slow, deep breath and ask yourself: “What is this feeling trying to tell me?”

That single moment of awareness builds emotional literacy—turning automatic reactions into intentional responses and strengthening both your well-being and your relationships.

Why This Matters

Prioritizing emotional literacy is not just about avoiding burnout; it’s about building a foundation where educators can thrive. When teachers and administrators strengthen this capacity, they model resilience and authenticity for their students, creating classrooms and schools that are healthier and more supportive for everyone.

DAD JOKE:  I'm currently reading a book about a couple of insects who fall in love in an Italian city.  It's a Rome ants novel.