Mother From Another: Who Mothers the Women Who Mother Everyone Else? A Research-Informed Framework for Strengthening Educator Well-Being, Belonging, and Relational LeadershipWomen in education serve as teachers, counselors, administrators, mentors, coaches, and advocates—often extending care far beyond their formal job descriptions. While schools increasingly recognize the importance of student belonging and wellness, far less attention has been given to the well-being of the women who cultivate these environments every day. This session introduces the Mother From Another Framework, a research-informed approach that explores how educators can sustain compassionate leadership without sacrificing their own well-being.Grounded in doctoral research on othermothering and its influence on student belonging, educator relationships, and school culture, this interactive session examines how relational leadership can simultaneously improve outcomes for students while creating healthier, more sustainable conditions for educators. Participants will explore the intersection of belonging, emotional labor, professional identity, and self-preservation through current educational research, reflective activities, and practical application.Rather than focusing solely on burnout prevention, this session invites educators to rethink what it means to serve well while remaining whole. Attendees will leave with evidence-based strategies for establishing healthy boundaries, strengthening professional relationships, cultivating resilience, and fostering cultures of care that support both educators and students.Ideal for teachers, instructional leaders, counselors, site and district administrators, and educational researchers, this presentation bridges scholarship and practice by translating the science of belonging, relational leadership, and educator well-being into actionable strategies that can be implemented immediately within schools and educational organizations.
