Culturally Affirming SEL Wheel: Turning Toward Equity

Jillian writes and edits the Morningside Center curricula, which uses a restorative approach grounded in racial equity to target social-emotional learning.  Prior to joining the team in 2021, she worked as a social-emotional learning curriculum developer; inclusive education middle and high school teacher; inclusive education compliance manager and instructional coach; and Assistant Director of Student Support. In each of these roles, she rooted her pedagogical approach in the promotion of restorative practices, community building, and disability justice. Jillian has facilitated trainings on adult and student SEL through an anti-racist lens at the Collaborative for Inclusive Education and the NPEA (National Partnership for Educational Access) Conference. She has a BA in Literature/Gender Studies from the New College of Florida and a MS from the Bank Street College of Education.

Ife Lenard, MSW, EdM   Ife has an unwavering commitment to intentional spaces, leadership, and building relationships in a different, more human way.  Her ability to serve as a catalyst in her work to unpack inequities that sustain harm and deepen practices in order to embrace collective humanity.  She uses her experiences in educational leadership, clinical social work and restorative practices to supportively guide people forward in their journey. Ife also serves as a strategic coach to school leaders, professor to graduate students, and educational consultant to educators and clinicians. Ife holds a B.S. in Human Ecology, and a Master's degree in Clinical Social Work and one in Educational Leadership.

Tala Manassah, Deputy Executive Director of Morningside Center. Since joining Morningside Center in 2009, Tala has led the development and rapid expansion of their collaborative effort with the NYC Department of Education to introduce restorative practices and promote racial equity in the NYC public schools. Tala served on Mayor De Blasio's Commission on School Climate and Culture, and on Chancellor Carmen Farina's advisory council on social and emotional learning. Before coming to Morningside Center, Tala was the founding executive director of the Middle East Children's Institute (MECI). In 2008, MECI was recognized by the Clinton Global Initiative, and became one of CGI's Member Commitments. Tala has a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy and Masters in the Humanities from the University of Chicago.