Welcome to Heartfelt Teaching
Supporting schools and educators
At Heartfelt Teaching, we support schools and educators to create emotionally regulated, relational classrooms where children feel safe, connected and ready to learn.
Through The Emotionally Regulated Classroom®, we provide neuroscience-informed courses, programmes, resources and reflective practice that help educators understand behaviour, support emotional regulation and build healthy relationships.
Whether you're looking for online professional learning or in-school support, our online courses, programmes and resources are available wherever you are, while in-school support is available within the London Boroughs of Hounslow and Richmond, UK.
Introducing The Emotionally Regulated Classroom®
The Emotionally Regulated Classroom® brings together neuroscience, emotional regulation and relational practice to support both educators and children in creating emotionally safe learning environments where everyone can thrive.
One approach. Two pathways.
Supporting educators and children to develop emotional regulation, connection and healthy relationships.
Work With Me >Explore The Emotionally Regulated Classroom®
For Educators
A self-paced online training programme designed to help educators understand behaviour, support emotional regulation and build relational classrooms where children and adults can thrive.
The programme combines knowledge, practical skills and integration support to help educators translate learning into everyday classroom practice. Through neuroscience, child development, attachment, Polyvagal Theory, trauma, attunement and emotional regulation, educators develop a deeper understanding of behaviour as communication. They also learn two foundational approaches for classroom life: emotional regulation and conflict resolution.
What makes The Emotionally Regulated Classroom® different is its focus on integration. Alongside knowledge and practical skills, educators are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences and relationships, helping them take what they need from the programme and apply it in ways that are meaningful to their role, context and everyday practice.
For Children
A classroom programme that helps children understand feelings and develop healthy problem-solving skills.
Through engaging lessons, stories and practical resources, children learn to pay attention to feelings in themselves and others, understand what feelings may be communicating and develop the skills needed to navigate everyday relationships and challenges. The programme introduces two key foundations for classroom life: understanding feelings and problem solving.
What makes The Emotionally Regulated Classroom® for Children different is its focus on implementation. Alongside lessons and resources, educators receive a comprehensive handbook that supports them in embedding the programme into everyday classroom life, helping feelings and problem solving become part of the classroom culture rather than a standalone intervention.
Explore Heartfelt Teaching
The Emotionally Regulated Classroom® for Educators
A relational, neuroscience-informed programme that helps educators understand behaviour, support emotional regulation and build healthy classroom relationships.
The Emotionally Regulated Classroom® for Children
Classroom programmes, stories and resources that help children understand feelings, develop emotional regulation and learn healthy ways to communicate and solve problems.
School Partnerships
Work with Karen through in-school partnerships (Hounslow & Richmond) or online implementation support, helping your school embed emotionally regulated, relational approaches.
Resources for Educators
Discover practical, neuroscience-informed resources designed to support emotional regulation, relationships and wellbeing in everyday classroom life.
About Karen
Hi, I'm Karen Kirkpatrick, Founder and Creative Director of Heartfelt Teaching and creator of The Emotionally Regulated Classroom ®
I am a Behaviour and Wellbeing Consultant and Therapeutic Wellbeing Practitioner with over 20 years of experience working with children, families and educators in primary schools.
My background includes working as a teacher, EYFS leader, SENCO and senior leader, as well as extensive therapeutic training in trauma, attachment, emotional regulation and interpersonal neurobiology.
My work is rooted in the belief that behaviour is communication and that children thrive when they feel safe, connected and understood. Through consultancy, training and practical resources, I support schools to create emotionally safe and relational learning environments where children and adults can thrive.
Read My Story >
Trusted by School Leaders
Noted in Lionel Primary School's Ofsted Report
"In its 2025 Outstanding Ofsted inspection, Lionel Primary School was recognised for its ‘Heartfelt Teaching’ approach, with inspectors noting how it helps pupils manage their behaviour and emotions thoughtfully and respectfully."
Vanessa Townsend
Headteacher, Strand on the Green Infant & Nursery School
"Karen's approach is practical, compassionate and grounded in research, but most importantly it is achievable in a busy school environment.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Karen and The Emotionally Regulated Classroom® to any school. The training has had a profound and sustainable impact on our school culture, our staff and most importantly, the lives of our children.
It has equipped us with the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to create a more emotionally regulated, relational and nurturing environment where both children and adults can thrive."
Micheal Venn- Coffey
Headteacher, Belmont Primary School
"Working with Heartfelt has transformed the way we think about relationships, behaviour and emotional regulation across our school. The training provided us with a strong evidence-informed foundation while recognising that meaningful change takes time, reflection and collaboration.
Through a combination of practical training, modelling and reflective practice, our staff have grown in confidence and created a more positive, emotionally safe environment for both children and adults. I would wholeheartedly recommend The Emotionally Regulated Classroom to any school looking to create lasting cultural change."
Michelle Hone
Headteacher, Lionel Primary School
"We have been working with Karen for the past 4 years. With Karen's support we have totally changed the culture of our school.
We have gone from taking a more behaviourist approach to be absolutely relational. The result is that we now have pupils who are more emotionally intelligent; able to self regulate and to successfully navigate difficult situations.
We have a calmer, kinder and more supportive school. I cannot recommend working with Karen highly enough. She has had a significant impact on our whole school community - school is a great place to be!"
