How the system is breaking teachers | Sandi Herrera | TEDxPortsmouth
Every day, teachers across America walk into classrooms carrying invisible weight—trauma, exhaustion, and a system that expects them to be superheroes without support. In this raw and revelatory TEDx talk, Sandi Herrera unpacks the devastating cost of neglecting educator wellbeing—and offers a powerful framework for redesigning schools from the inside out.
From active shooter drills to emotional burnout, Sandi invites us to face the uncomfortable truth: we are losing incredible educators not because they don’t love teaching, but because the system is breaking them. And there is hope. She shares how her ME. WE. SCHOOL. model is transforming campuses and lives, proving that when we prioritize those who guide our children, the ripple effect changes everything.
Sandi Herrera is CEO of HumanizEDU and co-author of Unpacking Bliss. She is leading a national movement to build psychologically safe schools where both educators and students thrive.
Sandi Herrera is the CEO of HumanizEDU, leading efforts to create psychologically safe schools where both teachers and students thrive. With a background in workplace culture and leadership, she began her career as COO of Delivering Happiness, founded by Tony Hsieh. Sandi has since worked with schools globally, helping leaders build cultures of trust, connection, and empowerment. She is the co-author of Unpacking Bliss, a Certified Organizational & Relationship Systems Coach, and an Accredited Genius Educator. A thought leader and culture strategist, Sandi is dedicated to helping educators unlock their potential and inspire students to embrace their own brilliance. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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