Emotional Intelligence

I need to lead you down a side path. Spoiler alert: we’ll be back to critical thinking in no time. 

Second spoiler alert: you may find references to critical thinking in this post. 

Emotional intelligence has gained lots of ground recently. By recently, we’re talking about the last two decades or so. 

Brain scientists have found strong links between the emotional state of a learner and the amount a learner retains. We teachers have known that for ages—that student who arrives at school with a wattle tree-sized chip on their shoulder. 

Or, the one who is usually calm and in control, but they’re off their game this morning. You discover they argued with a parent before school drop-off. 

Higher-order thinking won’t happen with either of those two students. 

Maybe the shoulder-chipped student runs from the classroom. Nothing like a runaway to disrupt the morning, right? Can we move our students forward under those circumstances? Maybe, but it takes some juggling. 

And what about our emotional intelligence? Monday morning after a heavy weekend? An argument with a partner?

We have a strong desire to see every student succeed. We tie their emotional intelligence to their learning. We endeavour to share the enjoyment of learning. Sometimes, our emotions take a back seat.

We are the purveyors of critical thinking and 21st-century learning. Emotional intelligence plays an integral part in those processes. 

Third spoiler alert: critical thinking turned up, after all.