Leader Journeys: Afreen Gootee

Afreen Gootee: From 32 Years in Education to Thought Leader in Cultural Awareness and Trauma-Informed Care. Her Linked In headline is perfect: Trained by Life. Proven in Classrooms. Transforming your Culture.In this episode of The Leader Journeys my guest is Afreen Gootee, a Bengali Muslim educator, mother, and grandmother who retired after 32 years in education and founded Thoughtful Minds Consulting in March 2020. Afreen shares how her work training educators through the Virginia Education Association led to workshops on cultural awareness, trauma-informed care, group dynamics, and stress management for schools, nonprofits, private sector organizations, senior living communities, and students. Drawing on her multicultural family and classroom experience, she explains unconscious bias, the importance of understanding students’ and coworkers’ lived experiences, and trauma’s impact on behavior and learning. Afreen describes facilitating “aha” moments through reflection and role play, including helping senior living staff understand residents’ transitions as trauma. She also discusses self-care, unplugging, hobbies, boundaries, learning to say no, and finding her work now feels valued. I’m so glad you could join us. 🌿 Please subscribe or follow The Rooted Leader Podcast wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts. Check out my Substack and Aspiretogrow.substack.com or website at AspireToGrow.Co 01:08 Welcome 1:46 My Guest, Afreen Gootee 02:49 Educator for over 30 years 05:03 Pivoting After Retirement 06:25 Her Passion for Cultural Awareness 09:01 The Importance of Trauma Informed Care 13:37 How She Manages Stress 20:04 The Best Part 25:03 The Importance of Time with Family 27:25 Our Lightning Round 32:19 Thank you Afreen Get full access to The Rooted Leader at aspiretogrow.substack.com/subscribe