Teaching With Heart: How Emotionally Intelligent Educators Shape Inclusive Junior High Communities

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 1:45 pm - Gold 3
  In Roundtable Session: The Community Matters: Toward Action-Minded Practice, Using a Photovoice Method, and Through Emotionally Intelligent Action Researchers/Educators

Abstract

This study explores how emotionally intelligent educators cultivate inclusive, equity-driven classrooms in junior high schools. Using a narrative inquiry methodology, the research highlights how teachers integrate emotional intelligence (EQ) competencies—such as empathy, self-awareness, and relationship-building—into daily instructional practices to support diverse student populations. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Salovey and Mayer (1990) and Goleman (1995), as well as DEI scholarship, the findings reveal EQ as a foundational skill for culturally responsive pedagogy. Educators’ stories illuminate how EQ shapes classroom culture, fosters belonging, and sustains DEI values even amidst shifting political climates. The study contributes timely insights for teacher preparation, leadership development, and policy reform in today’s educational landscape.

Author

• Colette Bozek, Knowledgehook