About Us
Lisa Whelan
A space to connect, to foster growth, to empower … it has been brewing for some time now.
One of the great joys I took from teaching was going beyond the curriculum with social/emotional learning - how do we become better people, to have confidence in being ourselves. Most importantly, finding the strength to do so in the face of peer pressure telling us just be what others want you to be - on their terms.
The light bulb went off when I taught 3rd grade, of how I could advance that line of education, even take it beyond my own classroom. Quite organically I started having girls lunches once a week with any of my students who were interested in joining that instead of recess. What started out as something fun for them became much more. Chats became more in-depth. What were they struggling with in the classroom (academically or personally)? Then beyond the classroom - friends, family, emotion, anxiety ...
I didn’t fully comprehend at the time what a big difference I was making in their lives - often just by listening, making them feel seen and heard.
When I began teaching middle school in 2021, I doubled down on my efforts toward social/emotional learning. I continued hosting a girls lunch with my 8th graders every week. It's MIDDLE SCHOOL! It is my belief a teacher should be required (especially at this age!) to meet students on this level.
I found with many of them that no one outside of their family - sometimes not even in their family - really knew what they were struggling with or what questions to ask. The impact I felt I was making was palpable.
This was not only borne out of desire, but now out of need, as I am a mother to a teenager. As I learn from my students how to become a better parent for my own teen, I learn from her how to better teach and make myself available for the teens I work with every day.
I have a masters in social justice education. I have been teaching for over 20 years. I have been a mother for over 14.
Collective Connection is truly a passion project. Moreso, it is a path I know I am meant to take. Finding the right partner in Sosanda became the tipping point. We both feel called to help people live more fulfilled lives. Help them feel better about themselves, then step into our world with the confidence to make a difference, all while continuing to grow individually.
Sosanda Erdmann
Humans thrive with connection. When we engage from a place of emotional intelligence and embrace empathy as individuals - we elevate one another as a whole.
For me it started as Director in Kindercare. Seeing the challenge to maintain relationships between kids, educators, parents … it opened my eyes to how differently they all interact - both amongst themselves and with each other. Certainly, we aligned on a priority (for the child to thrive) but we all approached it from a different angle.
It was teaching myself to have the understanding that every individual has a unique story. Because of this they bring their own individual perspective - which sparked my desire to educate others to have that diversity of thought. Whether we agree or not is less important than our ability to appreciate each other’s differences, seek greater understanding of one another, and utilize that understanding to influence how we communicate.
It is not easy to see from another person's perspective. It can be difficult just to try.
I have spent my time in Early Childhood Education, and more recently in the field of hospitality, teaching that ethos to adults. I want to start at a younger age, to instill the principles of honoring another individual’s feelings - and how that can train one’s self to constantly do so while continuing to honor our own.
If we can foster a balance of inclusivity with strength of one’s self, we create a foundation of character for these young individuals to not only practice this behavior, but also spread these tenets as they go out into the world.
We cannot seek to better our community if we are not constantly seeking pathways to better ourselves.
I have a B.S. in Psychology and Sociology, as well as certification in Social Communication. I have taught organizational culture and communication for over 5 years. I have been a mother for over 18 years (I know what it’s like to have teenagers!).
No one is perfect, and perfection should not be expected from any of us. What we should expect from ourselves first, then pass on to others, is the willingness to grow individually, show empathy, and improve communication in order to elevate the ability to connect.