Transformative Educational Leadership

💫 Leading With Care: Educators and Youth Mental Health

We’re filled with gratitude as our Executive Director, Meena Srinivasan, represented Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL) at the 2025 Rare Impact Benefit, celebrating five years of Rare Beauty visionary commitment to transforming youth mental health.

This inspiring evening was a powerful reminder that healing begins in our schools and communities. Meena spoke with Jimmy Kimmel Live about the essential role educators play in addressing the youth mental health crisis—not as an add-on to learning, but as its foundation. She also connected with fund founder Selena Gomez and the remarkable Rare Impact Fund team, whose compassion and commitment are redefining how we approach mental health and wellbeing.

We were deeply moved to see Richa Gupta, TEL Cohort 2 alum and Co-Founder & CEO of Labhya, also featured that night—an affirmation that when educators lead with love, collaboration, and courage, the ripple effects reach far beyond the classroom.

A special shoutout as well to Mychal Mills, TEL Facilitator, TEL Cohort 2 alum, and Co-Founder & Director of Konscious Youth Development & Service (KYDS)—another inspiring Rare Impact Fund grantee making a profound difference in youth mental health.

TEL is honored to stand alongside this extraordinary community as one of Rare Beauty’s mental health partners, working to create a world where every young person feels seen, supported, and emotionally well.

Interview footage coming soon—stay tuned!

💫 Leading With Care: Educators and Youth Mental Health

We’re filled with gratitude as our Executive Director, Meena Srinivasan, represented Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL) at the 2025 Rare Impact Benefit, celebrating five years of ’s visionary commitment to transforming youth mental health.

This inspiring evening was a powerful reminder that healing begins in our schools and communities. Meena spoke with Jimmy Kimmel Live about the essential role educators play in addressing the youth mental health crisis—not as an add-on to learning, but as its foundation. She also connected with fund founder Selena Gomez and the remarkable Rare Impact Fund team, whose compassion and commitment are redefining how we approach mental health and wellbeing.

We were deeply moved to see Richa Gupta, TEL Cohort 2 alum and Co-Founder & CEO of Labhya, also featured that night—an affirmation that when educators lead with love, collaboration, and courage, the ripple effects reach far beyond the classroom.

A special shoutout as well to Mychal Mills, TEL Facilitator, TEL Cohort 2 alum, and Co-Founder & Director of Konscious Youth Development & Service (KYDS)—another inspiring Rare Impact Fund grantee making a profound difference in youth mental health.

TEL is honored to stand alongside this extraordinary community as one of Rare Beauty’s mental health partners, working to create a world where every young person feels seen, supported, and emotionally well.

Professional photos and interview footage coming soon—stay tuned!

When the room gets tense, leaders don’t need a script, they need a reset. This 30-second loop helps you return to clarity and care so decisions align with your values and your community’s needs. 🌿

How the practice works
• Pause — Interrupt the autopilot. Even two seconds signals to your nervous system that you’re safe enough to choose.
• Breathe — Three slow breaths (longer exhale) can down-shift reactivity and widen perspective.
• Name (what needs care) — Put gentle language to what is present (emotion, need, harm, power dynamic). Naming to ourself reduces charge and invites honesty.
• Choose (one loving next step) — Pick a concrete, values-aligned action: ask a curious question, offer a brief repair, table a decision, or slow the pace.

Useful before a hard conversation or during debriefs, in the middle of a heated meeting, after receiving tough feedback, or anytime you notice urgency or defensiveness rising.

Bring it to your team. Try opening meetings with one loop together, or print the four words and keep them visible. Small rituals → durable culture shifts. ✨

Follow us for forthcoming practices and Fellowship updates!

Leaders who center love and equity change what’s possible in schools. 🌿 The TEL Fellowship is a yearlong container for inner work, embodiment, and community practice, so you can lead systems change with steadiness and heart.

If you’re curious about our 2026–2027 cycle, we’ll send timelines, info session dates, and stories from the field straight to your inbox. Sign up on our website!

We’re proud to celebrate our Executive Director, Meena Srinivasan, who will be offering a guided mindfulness practice titled “Awakening Tenderness Within” at this year’s Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit on May 1st.

This powerful gathering uplifts youth mental health and brings together some of the most influential voices in the field.
🎥 Tune into the livestream: https://youtube.com/live/tUorWpIu6nY?feature=share

We’re proud to celebrate our Executive Director, Meena Srinivasan, who will be offering a guided mindfulness practice titled “Awakening Tenderness Within” at this year’s Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit on May 1st.

This powerful gathering uplifts youth mental health and brings together some of the most influential voices in the field.

🎥 Tune into the livestream - Link in Stories!

Tonight at the Rare Impact Fund Benefit in Hollywood was an unforgettable experience. I had the incredible honor of meeting Selena Gomez again and expressing my deep gratitude for the fund's ongoing support of Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL). Selena’s dedication to mental health and self-acceptance through the Rare Impact Fund is truly inspiring, and it’s heartening to see her mobilizing $100 million in contributions to ensure all young people have access to mental health care, stigma-free support, and resources that honor their unique backgrounds and experiences.

At TEL, we believe that education is the catalyst for social change, and that transforming education transforms the world. Educational leaders have the power to create school environments where mental health is prioritized, but they often lack the support they need to foster their own well-being. That’s why TEL works alongside a diverse community of principals, equity specialists, and mental health professionals to make mental health a core aspect of every school.

We know that when teachers struggle with their own mental health, it directly affects the academic, social, and emotional outcomes of their students. Principals of color, in particular, are more likely to leave their jobs due to mental health challenges brought on by racial discrimination. TEL is here to nurture the resilience of these leaders so they can continue their transformative work in schools.

In this pivotal moment, we need leaders who are deeply rooted in self-awareness, healing, and collaborative leadership—leaders who will build just, compassionate communities for all. By investing in their well-being, we’re creating safe, loving environments where every child can thrive.

Together with the Rare Impact Fund, we are paving the way for positive change in schools and communities across the globe.

A huge thank you to the entire Rare Impact and Rare Beauty team—Elyse Cohen, Raquel Mata, Judith Martinez, MSc, Anijah Lezama, Lauren Peterson, and MacKenzie Kassab—for their dedication to this vital mission. Your commitment to this work is paving the way for brighter futures for our youth. I’m also incredibly grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with fellow grantees and mental health advocates in the Rare community, including Konscious Youth Development & Service, The Ever Forward Club, The Jed Foundation (JED), and Tramaine EL-Amin of The National Council for Mental Wellbeing. It's a privilege to be surrounded by such passionate change-makers.

Ahead of the Climate Justice Education Roundtable I'll be participating in at CASEL's hashtag in Chicago this November, I am thrilled to share the video links from the Youth Climate Justice Panel at the 15th Annual Mindfulness in Education Conference. 🙏🏽💖

This powerful event, held in July at the Omega Institute and co-hosted by Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL), highlighted our theme, "Embodying Courage and Resilience As We Educate For Climate Justice," with a particular emphasis on uplifting youth voices.

The panel featured incredible young leaders from the NY Climate Resilience and Education Task Force. They spoke candidly about their experiences with climate education and climate anxiety and how they've turned their passion into meaningful action. Their insights moved all of us, offering a powerful reminder of the courage and wisdom that young people bring to the forefront of this urgent work.

We're deeply grateful for this partnership in making this conference and this panel such a success. Collaborations like ours allow us to amplify these vital youth voices and continue to build momentum for climate justice in education. 🏫🚸

Please enjoy the clips below and feel free to share them widely. If you do share, we'd love for you to tag TEL on social media! Our handles are below:

TEL Social Media Handles:

LinkedIn: Transformative Educational Leadership
Facebook: Transformative Educational Leadership
Twitter:
Instagram:

https://vimeo.com/teleadership



https://vimeo.com/1012956673

Youth Share Actions To Address Climate Justice At the 15th Annual Mindfulness in Education Conference, hosted by Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL) and the Omega Institute, young climate activists took…

As we honor Indigenous Peoples Day, TEL is proud to spotlight Simone Gonyea, a TEL 2018 Inaugural Cohort member and a Snipe clan leader from the Onondaga Nation. As the first female administrator of the Onondaga Nation School and now a Senior Health Project Coordinator at the University of Rochester, Simone’s leadership has always centered on community, resilience, and cultural preservation.

Her work embodies the principles of humility, collective strength, and continuous learning, reflecting her commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices and creating inclusive spaces. Simone’s journey through TEL deepened her connections with fellow leaders, providing her with the tools and support to navigate challenges with grace. Today, she continues to build bridges between generations in her community, always grounded in the wisdom of her ancestors and the power of compassionate leadership.

Simone reminds us to stay curious, listen deeply, and celebrate the enduring strength of Indigenous communities. We are inspired by her wisdom: “We’re always pulling up our youths and reaching for what we have in our elders.”

We invite you to connect more with Simone’s story here: https://bit.ly/3U8vYw3

Let’s honor and celebrate Indigenous leaders like Simone today and every day.

As we honor Indigenous Peoples Day, TEL is proud to spotlight Simone Gonyea, a TEL 2018 Inaugural Cohort member and a Snipe clan leader from the Onondaga Nation. As the first female administrator of the Onondaga Nation School and now a Senior Health Project Coordinator at the University of Rochester, Simone’s leadership has always centered on community, resilience, and cultural preservation.

Her work embodies the principles of humility, collective strength, and continuous learning, reflecting her commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices and creating inclusive spaces. Simone’s journey through TEL deepened her connections with fellow leaders, providing her with the tools and support to navigate challenges with grace. Today, she continues to build bridges between generations in her community, always grounded in the wisdom of her ancestors and the power of compassionate leadership.

Simone reminds us to stay curious, listen deeply, and celebrate the enduring strength of Indigenous communities. We are inspired by her wisdom: "We're always pulling up our youths and reaching for what we have in our elders."

Let’s honor and celebrate Indigenous leaders like Simone today and every day.

We invite you to connect more with Simone's story here: https://bit.ly/3U8vYw3