EL Institute

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EMotional Labor institute (ELI)

The Emotional Labor Institute (ELI), powered by Naim Sanders Inc., partners with K–12 school districts and higher education institutions to advance research and practice on the emotional dimensions of teaching and leadership. We bring together rigorous inquiry and practical solutions to help organizations understand and respond to the emotional labor of educators, leaders, and pre-service teachers.

Our work includes both quantitative and qualitative research methods—surveys, focus groups, and interviews—to capture the lived experiences of teachers, principals, and staff. By combining data-driven analysis with real-world insights, we equip districts and universities with strategies that support educator well-being, leadership resilience, and sustainable professional practice.

Higher Education Partnerships

ELI partners with higher education institutions to equip current and future educators with the skills, mindsets, and emotional resilience necessary to thrive in the classroom and lead schools effectively. Together, we bridge academic preparation with the lived realities of teaching and leadership—ensuring graduates enter the field ready to excel and sustain their passion for the profession.

K-12 District Partnerships

ELI partners with school districts to generate actionable insights that strengthen teaching, leadership, and school culture. Through customized research services, including surveys, focus groups, and interviews, we help districts understand the experiences of educators, leaders, students, and families. Together, we turn data into strategies that improve educator well-being, leadership effectiveness, and student outcomes.

collaboration with Higher Education partners

1. Integration into Teacher and Leadership Preparation Programs

Guest Lectures & Seminars – Deliver targeted sessions on emotional labor, leadership resilience, and relational leadership skills within existing education courses.
Special Topics Courses – Co-develop elective or required courses (e.g., Emotional Intelligence in Education, Sustaining Well-being in School Leadership) for teacher and principal preparation programs.
Practicum Support – Provide coaching and reflective practice tools for pre-service teachers and leadership interns during their field placements.

2. Applied Research Collaborations

Partner on studies examining emotional labor among student teachers, early-career educators, and school leaders.
Co-author publications and present findings at academic conferences, enhancing both institutional reputation and real-world application.
Provide data-informed recommendations to improve educator preparation and retention.

4. Professional Development for Alumni & In-Service Educators

Offer continuing education credits (CEUs) for alumni who return for advanced leadership or well-being training.
Host annual Educator Resilience Summits in partnership with the university, open to both current students and working professionals.

collaboration with K-12 District partners

1. Districtwide Surveys

Design and administer surveys to capture perspectives from teachers, principals, students, and families.
Provide clear, data-driven reports with actionable recommendations for district leaders.
Track trends in areas such as staff well-being, leadership support, student engagement, and school climate.

2. Focus Groups & Interviews

Facilitate structured focus groups with teachers, principals, students, or families to capture deeper perspectives behind the numbers.
Conduct confidential one-on-one interviews with key stakeholders to surface insights that may not appear in surveys.
Deliver thematic analysis and practical recommendations to inform district planning and decision-making.

3. Applied Research Collaborations

Partner on district-specific studies examining challenges such as emotional labor, teacher retention, leadership resilience, or family engagement.
Provide data-informed strategies for improving professional learning, instructional leadership, and organizational culture.
Co-present findings at educational conferences, highlighting district innovation and thought leadership.

4. Professional Learning Integration

Use research findings to design targeted professional development for teachers, principals, and district leaders.
Offer resilience-building workshops and leadership coaching sessions that directly address identified needs.
Support continuous improvement through ongoing data collection and feedback cycles.