In 2014, still reeling from the tragedy of the Sandy Hook shooting, school communities across the United States asked a quiet, urgent question: How do we heal—together? From that mud, a seed was planted—one that would soon ripple around the world. Dr. Daniel Cordaro, then Director of Wellbeing at the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, embarked on a journey to co-create a wellbeing curriculum rooted in universal human wisdom and positive psychology.

What began as an offering of support quickly revealed itself to be something much greater—within months, the curriculum sparked profound transformations, echoing through classrooms, hallways, and homes. As the momentum grew, so did the call to share this work more widely. In 2016, the Contentment Foundation was born—a community of educators, researchers, and kindred spirits dedicated to weaving wellbeing into the fabric of school life. 

 

At the heart of this work is a simple aspiration: wellbeing for all. Through the Four Pillars of Wellbeing curriculum and care in implementation, we share timeless practices in a way that honors local wisdom and deepens human connection. With each school that embraces this journey, we witness the quiet power of transformation—a reminder that true change begins within, and its ripples extend far beyond what we can see.