Educating the Heart; Educating the Mind
Educating the Heart; Educating the Mind
The Radiant Heart Awards are yearly awards given to two select individuals whose contribution to the education of our youth includes compassion, kindness, and love. These year’s honorees are Oram Ramirez and Tracy Bianchi.
Oram Ramirez is a teacher at Marshall Elementary in San Francisco’s Mission District. We honor his commitment to educating global citizens; introducing young minds and hearts to themselves and guiding his students through the discovery of greater possibilities. Oram introduced Project Happiness to his 3rd grade class once a week on Friday mornings. Closely working with the Project Happiness team, the curriculum, intended for teenagers, was easily adapted for younger children. By helping Project Happiness pioneer its programs in elementary grade-levels, he made it possible for countless other teachers and students to take part in this movement promoting individual and social well-being and greater happiness.
Tracy Bianchi is very familiar with the challenges facing young people. As the head counselor of Menlo School, she has put together a key volunteer team to be on call in case of any emergency, such as the types we are hearing about widely, from unprecedented stress to suicide. The great news is that the model she is creating can be replicated in any community. It brings community together with the experts to make a difference. This is innovative thinking at its best, and it is a blueprint that leads to deep and lasting change. Tracy is bringing Project Happiness to her school and empowering students to develop the positive practices that promote authentic happiness.