Effect of Transcendental Meditation on the Social Emotional Well-Being of Bilingual Teacher-Leaders
Journal of Education January 25, 2026 Margaret Peterson, Jane Bleasdale, Sandy Nidich
A mixed-methods study of 62 bilingual teacher-leaders found that practicing Transcendental Meditation significantly reduced emotional exhaustion, perceived stress, and mood disturbance compared to a waitlist control group. Qualitative analysis using Yosso's Community Cultural Wealth framework indicated that meditation helped participants access cultural assets such as familial, linguistic, and resistant capital, which supported well-being. Rest itself emerged as a form of resistance. The findings expand Community Cultural Wealth theory and support the effectiveness of culturally responsive wellness practices for sustaining educators of color.