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Human Understanding requires Empathic Imagination – the ability to imagine the emotional experience of the other. This is a task as complex as Shakespeare and rocket science to master, but it can be taught. And it must be taught, in an educational trajectory that’s given the same weight as every other academic subject, from elementary through PhD programs. — Dr. Alice L. Maher, Founder of Emotional Imprint

Many students graduate from American schools lacking skills necessary for group problem solving, effective leadership, and responding to others whom they perceive to be “different.” They may instinctively treat those perceived as different with distrust, fear, and contempt. Such rigid modes of experiencing, feeling, and thinking lead to conflict. Furthermore, poor social and emotional skills have been negatively correlated with academic success. Existing social and emotional literacy programs have achieved some success in improving students’ ability to collaborate, reason with less bias, and assume leadership roles; however, they are often squeezed into an already full academic day and are rarely implemented across grades or cohesively taught.

We need a new language: Emotional Literacy

Emotional Imprint™ takes an innovative pedagogical approach to the teaching of emotional literacy by integrating it with the existing core curriculum. In an Emotional Imprint™ classroom, young people study the ways in which feelings play a role in learning and decision-making. Through academic work, students develop greater insight into their own and others’ emotions, improve their ability to read and respond to the emotional communications of others, and internalize that insight. Our use of thought experiments as a teaching tool encourages students to deepen their understanding of self, others, and texts.

Please explore our website and learn more about Emotional Imprint™. And share your comments or suggestions by contacting Emotional Imprint™ Founder and Director, Dr. Alice L. Maher.