Sophie O’Connor - Consultant

Sophie is a doctoral student at the University of Kansas with a background in elementary education. Her research interests include educator stress, emotional exhaustion, and burnout, especially among early career teachers in urban public schools. Sophie is also interested in exploring the role of mindfulness practices and programs as a potential support for teacher wellbeing. Her professional and academic experiences have shaped her interest in how policy, school culture, and emotional labor intersect in K-12 education. Through qualitative methodologies, Sophie seeks to better understand these dynamics and promote more sustainable practices for teacher retention and support.