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"The meetings are opportunities for educators to explore real-world quandaries both inside the classroom and in their own lives, learn from each other, and develop strategies for personal and professional well-being."
Experiencing Forum was profound. It was powerful to share space with others—many of whom our team had just met—and to feel seen, heard, and honored for who we are and for the experiences we shared. The process brought me to tears and illuminated the importance of creating and holding space for educators to work through what matters most to them, in relationship and in community with other educators.
When my husband recently returned from a meditation retreat in India, he shared an insight offered by the lead teacher: “space has no tension.” This phrase keeps coming to my mind as I reflect on my experience of Forum. It has me wondering, how might we offer educators more space—space to alleviate the tensions that inevitably arise in teaching? How can we create the safe and brave spaces educators need to unpack the challenges they face, while equipping and empowering them with the very skills they seek to cultivate in their students—active listening, empathy, noticing, and inquiry?
Forum offers one such approach: a tool for creating space to nurture and sustain the whole educator, so they, in turn, can reach and teach the whole child. In this spirit, I share a reading below, for you to consider as you reflect on approaches to develop your own social, emotional, and cultural lens—and that of those you teach and/or support.
In joy for the work!
Rebecca & the CRTWC Team
"Space has no tension."
Learn more about Forum
Article About Forum at Millennium School: d’Erizans, R. (2025) Using peer-to-peer coaching to prioritize faculty well-being. Independent School.
Center Updates
Dr. Rebecca Baelen (CRTWC’s Executive Director) will be serving as a keynote speaker at the 1st Transatlantic Conference on Well-Being & (Teacher) Education at Teachers College and United Nations Headquarters in New York City, NY from February 23 – 26, 2026.
The conference is centered on the theme, “Bridging Well-being & (Teacher) Education: A Globalized Perspective to Science Diplomacy,” bringing together educators, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world to explore urgent issues facing the teaching profession and to advance strategies that strengthen teacher well-being. To learn more and register, check out the QR code provided in the conference flyer below and explore the following website. 
CRTWC is Awarded a New Grant from the Oregon Community Foundation!
CRTWC is excited to carry out a two-phase initiative to develop and tailor resources, as well as design and facilitate professional learning opportunities for Oregon teacher educators who support the field experience component of teacher preparation at Oregon Educator Preparation Programs (EPPs). This initiative will be carried out in partnership with the Oregon Collaborative for SEL in Educator Preparation (OCSEP) and with guidance from the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.
CRTWC Featured in eCampus News:13 predictions about Edtech, Innovation, and–yes–AI in 2026
eCampus News recently featured national leaders in education innovation sharing predictions about the future of educational technology, including the evolving role of AI in teaching and learning. The article explores how institutions can thoughtfully integrate emerging tools while keeping human relationships, equity, and student development at the center.
Representing the Center for Reaching & Teaching the Whole Child, Dr. Halley A. Maza (Director of Learning Innovation & Research) shared how CRTWC’s work can help to ensure that technology strengthens, rather than replaces, the relational and culturally responsive foundations of teaching.
“Our prediction and commitment are that thoughtful, human-centered technology will amplify the social, emotional, relational, and culturally-sustaining dimensions of teaching, enabling both educators and students to thrive socially, emotionally, and academically.”
Through partnerships with universities such as Notre Dame de Namur University and collaboration with strategic partners, CRTWC continues to build an innovative ecosystem for video-based coaching, observation, and reflective practice. Grounded in our Anchor Competencies Framework, this work examines how AI-powered tools can enhance educator preparation while preserving the deeply human elements at the heart of learning.
CRTWC’s Work is Highlighted at the Upcoming SEL Exchange in February 2026
Come explore the following sessions at the Upcoming Virtual SEL Exchange that highlight CRTWC’s work across the state of Oregon and in Minneapolis Public Schools.
Paper Presentation: Dr. Deirdre Hon, Dr. Rebecca Baelen, & Joshua Lovett, Impacts of year-long professional learning experience on education faculty. Paper presentation at the Virtual Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (SEL) Exchange. February 18 – 29, 2026.
Poster Presentation: Dr. Dawn White, Dr. Rebecca Baelen, Joshua Lovett, & Eric Moore. Developing new teachers’ SEL in a grow-your-own licensure pathway. Poster presentation at the Virtual Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (SEL) Exchange. February 18 – 29, 2026.
Thank you for your continued belief and support of the Center. Please consider making a donation to help both educators and students to thrive.
