“Heutagogy” and “Emotional Engagement” Save and Sustain Education in Transition at a Critical Crossroads

Teacher education stands at a global crossroads shaped by technological change, socio-political shifts, and post-pandemic realities. Traditional content-driven models no longer equip teachers with the adaptability, resilience, and emotional intelligence needed for complex classrooms. This chapter integrates heutagogy self-determined learning and emotional engagement the affective dimension of teaching as complementary frameworks to transform teacher preparation. Heutagogy fosters learner autonomy, capacity building, and reflective adaptability, while emotional engagement develops empathy, well-being, and relational competence. Together, they create a holistic model for developing capable, emotionally literate educators who can thrive in uncertainty, sustain lifelong learning, and lead meaningful educational change.