Our “Get to Know Our EduDawgs” series celebrates the incredible undergraduate and graduate students who make up the UW College of Education community. Through student interviews and storytelling, we’re highlighting the passions, experiences and perspectives that shape their journeys — in the classroom, in the community and beyond. 🌎✨

Each story is a glimpse into what drives our future educators, researchers and advocates to make a difference. 

Editor's note: This story was written by student associate Winston N. through the College of Education’s partnership with Cristo Rey Jesuit Seattle High School.

Felix Long: Passionate Advocate for Social-Emotional Learning and Education 

Felix Long
BA, Education Studies (Wellness and Social Emotional Learning)

Hometown
San Diego, CA

Experience
Head Coach, After-School Pickleball Program – PTA Elementary Enrichment

Inspiration
“My mom is my biggest advocate... She has always supported me. Having a therapist for a mom means I always have a shoulder to cry on. I’ve confided in her and sought her guidance throughout my life.”

For Felix Long, education is about more than academics — it’s about fostering emotional and intellectual growth. A senior from San Diego, California, Felix has found his calling at the University of Washington, where he is majoring in Sociology and pursuing Education Studies with a focus on Wellness and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) through the College of Education.

“I’m not from Washington,” Felix explains. “I’m from San Diego, California. I went to high school there and lived there pretty much all my life. I wanted to get out for college, so I applied to UW. I was really excited to go there.”

When Felix arrived on campus, he began as a sociology major, a field he continues to value deeply. His interest in education developed alongside it. “At first, I was just majoring in sociology,” he shares, “but I picked up the education major because I kept taking these social-emotional learning classes with Dr. Lally. She was my biggest influence for choosing this major, mainly because of her passion for these subjects and the skills involved.”

Those classes, taught by Dr. Jaclyn Lally (PhD, ’18, School Psychology), teaching associate in the undergraduate Education Studies program, are part of the Wellness and Social Emotional Learning specialization, which draws from Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and positive psychology to help undergraduates manage emotions and stress productively and effectively.

Now, Felix has completed his required courses and is deepening his learning through an independent study on SEL under Dr. Lally’s guidance. “I’ve taken all the required courses for my major, and I am currently participating in Dr. Lally’s independent studies on social-emotional learning,” he explains.

Felix’s connection to SEL runs deep. “I grew up with my mom as a therapist,” he says. “She was a cognitive behavioral therapist and still is. Growing up, I developed many skills because of that. Taking these classes was sort of like a refresher for me.” That foundation has shaped how he sees the world and the importance of emotional awareness. “It was helpful to apply what I learned,” he notes, adding, “I think it’s important, especially considering the mental health struggles we face in today’s world. I didn’t really have this at school when I was growing up, only at home.”

Outside the classroom, Felix brings these lessons into his work with children as the head coach of an after-school pickleball program organized by the PTA. “We coach the kids for about 90 minutes, and it’s a lot of fun,” he says. “I really love working with kids. This area has always interested me because I want to provide the emotional and social support our youth need, especially since it’s often neglected.”

Felix credits his mom and Dr. Lally as two of his biggest influences. “My mom is my biggest advocate,” he says. “She’s always just a call away. Today is actually her birthday! She has always supported me. Having a therapist for a mom means I always have a shoulder to cry on. I’ve confided in her and sought her guidance throughout my life.” He adds, “Another big influence was Dr. Lally. Just by being herself, she motivated me." Inspiration also comes from home, especially from his younger brother. “I have a little brother who just turned seven in April,” he mentions. “Emotional learning and development in children has always intrigued me, especially with my younger brother.” Watching him grow has given Felix valuable perspective. “I call him my mini-me,” Felix laughs. “He’s grown up so much like me and shares all my interests. We watch Marvel movies and play Star Wars games together. He’s just a little version of me.”

Looking ahead, Felix is open to wherever his journey leads. “Education came into my life unexpectedly,” he admits. “I always wanted to pursue law, which would be my next step.” No matter what comes next, Felix knows the lessons he’s learned — about self-awareness, empathy and emotional growth — will continue to guide him as he helps others find balance, too.