Joe is a seasoned educator and facilitator with a profound, lifelong commitment to advancing Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). With dual degrees in English and Linguistics from the University of Florida and a MaT in English from the University of Central Florida, Joe's career began in a Florida high school classroom where he taught reading and AP Language. His dedication and innovative teaching strategies earned him the "Rookie of the Year" award and a perfect 4.0 on Florida's Professional Evaluation. After years of successful teaching in Florida, Joe moved to Seattle, where he taught middle school Language Arts, Technology, and Drama at the Seattle Country Day School (SCDS) for over a decade. During his tenure at SCDS, Joe was deeply involved in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, co-chairing the DEI committee, collaborating and executing yearly NAIS Student Diversity Leadership Retreats, and attending PoCC as well as organizing the 2019 People of Color Conference in Seattle as part of the local team.Joe has always been passionate about SEL, though he lacked the language and approach that would bring the vast wisdom of SEL together for him. His understanding and love of SEL was re-ignited when he attended his first Summer SEL Institute in 2014 designed and run by The Institute For Social and Emotional Learning (IFSEL). While an active advisor and SEL committee member at SCDS, he concurrently partnered with (IFSEL) in a variety of roles: he transitioned from being a participant to an associate, facilitating professional development sessions and assisting behind the scenes. This dedication to SEL culminated in his current role as Program Manager for The Institute for Social and Emotional Learning (IFSEL). In this position, Joe is instrumental in program development and collaborates with schools to help them achieve their SEL goals and visions.Outside of his professional life, Joe enjoys bouldering, playing board games, traveling, and staying connected with his queer community. He'll readily wax lyrical about the transformative impact of SEL on both his personal and professional life, underscoring his belief in the timeless power of SEL to foster growth and connection.