Why I Wrote Learning to Navigate Through My Social-Emotional World

In 2020, I was a teacher navigating the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, just like so many others. I saw firsthand how deeply it impacted the emotional well-being of my students. With routines disrupted and social interactions limited, many children spent their days in front of screens, isolated from their peers and the structure of a typical classroom.

Naturally, big feelings started to surface—and many of my students didn’t yet have the tools to manage them. I saw kids struggle to get along with others, resorting to hitting, name-calling, shutting down, or simply not asking for help. It broke my heart, but it also sparked something in me. I realized if it was happening in my classroom, it was happening everywhere.

At the same time, the world outside was in turmoil. Acts of hate and injustice toward marginalized communities were growing more visible, and I felt a deep need to do something. Just like love, kindness, and empathy—hate is taught. And I believe the root of that hate is a lack of emotional understanding, compassion, and empathy. I wanted to be part of the solution.

As someone who has worked with children all my life, I know how powerful early education is. Children’s brains are like sponges—soaking up everything from math and reading to language and social cues. Social-emotional learning should be just as central to their growth as any academic subject. These skills aren’t just for childhood; they’re lifelong tools that show up in friendships, relationships, work, and the way we engage with the world around us.

I created this book to give children those tools. To help them name their feelings, express themselves in healthy ways, treat others with kindness—no matter their differences—and most importantly, love themselves. Learning to Navigate Through My Social-Emotional World is more than a journal; it’s a safe space to explore who they are and how to be a kind and empathetic human.

My hope is that this book not only helps kids feel seen, heard, and supported—but that it also helps build a future generation rooted in compassion, understanding, and love.