Founded in 2009 at San José State University to address the need to integrate social-emotional learning skills, dispositions, and habits of mind with culturally responsive teaching into preservice teacher education, the Center for Reaching & Teaching Whole Child (CRTWC), is anchored by a small professional staff of 3; a distinguished 18-member Board of Advisors; a complement of highly skilled and effective teaching professionals; and strong partnerships with educational institutions including schools, districts, and nonprofit organizations. Community Initiatives serves as the CRTWC’s fiscal sponsor.

Center for Reaching and Teaching the Whole Child's mission is to enhance the capacity of schools to meet the needs of children and their educators by integrating social, emotional, and cultural competencies into teacher preparation and on-going professional development.

The Center for Reaching & Teaching the Whole Child (CRTWC) envisions a world in which educators are supported to continually develop their own social, emotional, and cultural competencies. Educators, in turn, consistently support the development of their students’ social, emotional, and cultural competencies so that children are resilient and able to reach their full potential.