Workshop on Emotional Intelligence for Teachers and Support-Parents (प्रतिपालक‘s) at the Igatpuri Schools for the Special Kids of God
Shailaja Dwivedi Pathak, Managing Partner of B – Black Belt Brand Builders, has always been a source of inspiration for me.
A young pharma professional whose compassion and humanity shine through everything she does.
Under her guidance, we conducted a meaningful corporate social responsibility initiative at the Igatpuri Schools for the Special Children of God.
It was a workshop on Empathy and Emotional Intelligence for the Teachers and Support-Parents of 110 Special Kids; half of whom are cognitively challenged, while the others are hearing and speech impaired.
Here is Shailaja Dwivedi Pathak with the Special Kids of God at Igatpuri
Workshop on Emotional Intelligence for Teachers and Support-Parents (Pratipalaks) at the Igatpuri Schools for the Special Kids of God
Some children cannot hear the melody of a mother’s voice. Some cannot express their thoughts through words. Some need more time to understand the world around them. Yet every one of them longs for exactly what every child longs for!
To be loved, understood, and accepted.
This is why Emotional Intelligence (EI) and empathy are not optional for Teachers and Support-Parents (pratipalaks); they are essential.
Daniel Goleman describes Emotional Intelligence through five important abilities, and each one has a special place in the lives of those who nurture God’s Special Children.
Self-awareness helps Teachers and Support-Parents recognize their own emotions. Caring for a child with special needs can sometimes bring frustration, worry, or fatigue.
By becoming aware of these feelings, they can respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively.
Self-regulation is the ability to remain calm, patient, and composed, even during difficult moments.
A child who struggles to communicate does not need another emotional storm. They need a steady hand, a reassuring smile, and a comforting presence.
Motivation is the inner drive to keep going despite slow progress.
With special children, success is rarely measured in giant leaps. It is measured in tiny victories, a first sound, a new gesture, a successful interaction, or a small step toward independence.
Emotionally intelligent Teachers and Support-Parents celebrate every milestone because they know that small victories eventually become life-changing achievements.
Empathy, the heart of Emotional Intelligence, is the ability to see the world through the child’s eyes.
It changes the question from, “Why can’t this child do it?” to “How can I help this child succeed?”
Empathy replaces judgment with understanding, impatience with compassion, and discouragement with hope.
Finally, social skills help Teachers, Therapists, and Support-Parents work together as one team.
When they communicate openly, encourage one another, and share insights, the child experiences a world that is consistent, safe, and full of trust.
Children may not always understand our words, but they almost always understand our emotions. They can sense patience, acceptance, anxiety, anger, joy, and love. Long before they remember what we taught them, they remember how we made them feel.
Perhaps that is why these children are often called God’s Special Children. They quietly teach us one of life’s greatest truths: the most powerful language is not spoken through words, signs, or sounds.
It is spoken through kindness, patience, compassion, respect, and unconditional love.
Teachers and Support-Parents who practise Emotional Intelligence do far more than educate or care for these children.
They become the bridge between ability and possibility, between uncertainty and confidence, and between today’s challenges and tomorrow’s hope. In doing so, they do not merely change a child’s life. They enrich their own humanity.
Drawing on my experience in mentoring pharma managers, I conducted a workshop a workshop on Emotional Intelligence for the Teachers and Supportive Parents of the PPSSM run schools for these Special Kids of God at Igatpuri. That was on Saturday 26th July.
I invite all readers to visit this school and just hello to the Special Kids of God and the Teachers and Support-Parents.
I am really proud of my daughter Shailaja Dwivedi Pathak and her daughter Adrija who have added meaning to my life.
Here are a few heartfelt snippets from this workshop.
