Positive Education: Using Positive Psychology to Support Nonprofit Leaders, Teachers, and Students of Color

MindCatcher Education (MC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of hopelessness in under-resourced learning spaces and fostering social-emotional growth and leadership development for students and educators of color. Our cohort from the Master’s of Applied Positive Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania collaborated with MC to strengthen and expand their Young People Lead (YPL) program. Our cohort conducted a situation analysis and literature review and collaborated with MC to design monthly training sessions that incorporate Appreciative Inquiry, character strengths, ikigai, and job crafting. These interventions aim to redesign pedagogy at partnering schools, build student engagement, and reduce burnout in educators of color to strengthen YPL. The training coincides with the “Cohort Experience” training for educational leaders from August 2023 through April 2024 and includes on-campus demonstrations by site leaders for teachers and students.