Healing Schools Project

Blowing bubbles is the best way to unwind. We had a blast in circle today with the Path Program team at P.S. 126x Dr Marjorie H Dunbar in CSD9

Shout out to our Lead Circle Keeper Mia Hunte!

On March 14th, we gathered with educators from Bronx Community School District 9 at the beautiful Wave Hill to restore, reflect, and reconnect — not just as educators, but as human beings. Root & Bloom was a reminder that when we intentionally create space for care and joy, community becomes something we can feel.

We opened the day with these words from our keynote, Dr. Yaribel Mercedes: "May today be the start of tending to your soil — watering yourself so that you can (re)member. So that you can nourish and bloom the best parts of yourself, mind, body, and spirit."

And we closed with this truth from our Founder and Executive Director, Dr. Wenimo Okoya: "The fact that you made the choice to heal in community on your Saturday is its own act of resistance." 🌱✨

At the end of the day, educators said it best: this was so needed. This was the recharge I needed. I was reminded that caring for ourselves is just as important as the work we do for our students.

A heartfelt thank you to Robin Hood Foundation and Pinterest for making this day possible — and to every District 9 educator who showed up for themselves and each other. This is what community care looks like.

✨ Special thanks to everyone who made this day what it was: 🏛️ Day Architect — Tahirah Bellinger 🎤 Keynote and Speakers — Dr. Yaribel Mercedes, Principal Kamaro Neblett and Superintendent Harry Sherman 📿 Circle and Somatic Practices — Mia Hunte and Amanda Faison 🎵 Healing through Music and Vibes — Dr. Justis Lopez 📸 Photography — Jorge Rojas 🎥 Videography — Chinua 🌿 Space — Wave Hill 🍽️ Catering — Great Performances 💆🏽 Massages — LoDo Massage

Today we’re spotlighting Antigone Cox, an educator who attended our Root & Bloom retreat and is doing incredible, intentional work in her school and community. ⁠
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🌸 What brings you to today’s retreat? ⁠
I needed some self-care to be completely honest. As an educator, you give so much of yourself and then by the end of the week, you're just spent. And so, the moment I saw this opportunity, I was like, sign up immediately. ⁠
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🌱 How has participating in HSP programming impacted you?⁠
Being part of the Professional Learning Community has transformed me. We need to have that space. We need to have healing, restoration if there's any harm that's done, and repair. We need to have joy at the end of the day. ⁠
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I want to be able to help support as many educators to stay. They want to stay in the classroom. They want to elevate upwards in education, in leadership and district. I want to be able to help support that and create those communities as well.⁠
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We just released our 2025 Mid-Year Impact Report — and we couldn’t be more proud of what our community has built together. 📊

In just six months, we reached 280+ educators across New York City and Newark, NJ. We saw teachers who were on the edge of leaving the profession decide to stay. We saw school leaders begin to truly prioritize their staff’s wellbeing. We saw healing circles become the highlight of educators’ weeks.

As Yasmeen Sampson, Principal at Philips Academy in Newark, shared about our partnership: wellness is not a bonus — it’s a foundation.

That’s exactly what we’re building. Together.

Thank you to every educator, partner, donor, and collaborator who made this possible. This report belongs to all of you. ❤️

Read the full report at the link in our bio.

In schools, the pace is fast and the demands are constant.

When overwhelm hits, it can be hard to think clearly or respond calmly — especially in high-stress moments.

That’s why we’re sharing a simple tool now available on our website: the STOP Technique.

This short mindfulness practice helps educators:
• Interrupt stress in the moment
• Slow down reactive responses
• Increase clarity and intention
• Model regulation for students

It takes less than a minute — and over time, it builds resilience.

Download the free one-pager on our website and consider sharing it at your next staff meeting.

Because when we pause, our classrooms feel it.

Black educators carry legacy. They create spaces where students can breathe, question, and dream without apology. They teach the full story—not just struggle, but innovation, joy, creativity, and intellectual tradition.

This , we're honoring those who held space for us and asking: Who was that teacher for you? Share your story with us.

We are heartbroken to share the news of Reverend Jesse Jackson's passing. Today, we honor a giant—a champion for civil rights, educational justice, and the teachers who change lives every single day.

Rev. Jackson knew that fighting for justice meant fighting for our schools and the educators who serve in them. Through Rainbow PUSH and his decades of activism, he advocated for better funding, fair teacher wages, and educational opportunities for every child, especially those the system tried to leave behind.

He didn't just talk about supporting teachers—he walked picket lines with them, amplified their voices, and made sure the world understood that education is civil rights work.

"If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it." Rev. Jackson lived these words and inspired teachers to help every student believe them too.

This Black History Month, we're reminded that his legacy isn't just history—it's ongoing. It lives in every classroom where teachers create space for students to dream bigger, in every school fighting for equity, and in every young person who refuses to accept limits placed on them.

Rest in power, Rev. Jackson. Your work continues through all of us. 🖤

This Black History Month, we celebrate Black educators who inspire and empower the next generation. 📚✨

Research shows that Black students with Black teachers perform better academically and build stronger, more trusting relationships in school. Yet most Black students go through 13 years without a single Black teacher.

Let's commit to creating inclusive schools where Black educators are valued, supported, and retained.

🌟 Every month, we send out a newsletter for educators, school leaders, and support staff, focused on equity, healing, and resilience.

💌 Stay connected with practical tips, inspiration, and resources — without worrying about social media algorithms.

✅ Join our community today and get this month’s newsletter straight to your inbox:
👉 healingschoolsproject.com/