Deeper Dialogue: Spiritual and Indigenous Approaches to Emotions, Education, and the Environment

This online session aims to observe how educators in the nonformal environmental educational spaces

understand, contextualize, and practice social emotional learning (SEL). More specifically, SEL will be

defined with the lenses of spiritual and indigenous knowledge. We define “ life-long educators” as

professionals working directly with students/life long learners and implementing program curriculums

outside of formal school. The session will invite reflection on how spirituality shapes approaches to SEL

and climate justice education (CJE). Spirituality is broadly defined to include personal values, Indigenous

knowledge, and community practices. Participants will share experiences, identify gaps in resources or

understanding, and exchange strategies for integrating emotions and spirituality into environmental

learning.

The overarching aim of this webinar is to foster a community of practice that bridges emotional, ethical,

and environmental learning. By gathering qualitative insights and lived experiences, the discussion will

help inform future frameworks for educators in nonformal environmental settings. By bringing together

experts, practitioners, and community voices, this online dialogue seeks to enrich understanding, share

practical tools, and advance the collective capacity to develop climate-literate learners.

Webinar Objectives:

➢ Understand how educators in the nonformal spaces define and address SEL issues in their

programs

➢ Understand how spirituality influences both their SEL and climate change education work

➢ Define barriers of knowledge around SEL and ESD

➢ Collate and share existing resources

Tivoli, New York