In this episode I speak with Wendy Baron. Wendy is a teacher, author, coach, researcher, and leader in the field of social, emotional, and academic development. She co-founded the Santa Cruz/Silicon Valley New Teacher Project and New Teacher Center—a national non-profit dedicated to improving student learning by accelerating the effectiveness of teachers and school leaders. Wendy served as Chief Academic Officer and leader of Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at New Teacher Center—with an emphasis on creating cultures of belonging that are inclusive, and culturally responsive. In 2018, Wendy began co-leading the CA statewide Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) Communities of Practice. Currently, Wendy works with district and school leaders, counselors, mental health clinicians, and community partners in Santa Cruz, CA supporting a systems approach to social, emotional, academic development and transforming schools as centers of wellbeing.