Would you like to learn how to bring mindfulness to your classroom?
Do you feel like you could use some practical strategies for managing the stress of teaching?
MINDFULNESS is a powerful tool for teachers AND students!
“Mindfulness training can enhance teachers’ sense of well-being. It can also provide a buffer against the stress that arises from the demands and challenges of the classroom environment.”
— Lisa Flook, University of Wisconsin-Madison
A 2016 study revealed that the most stressed-out profession in the United States was TEACHERS.
If you’re a teacher, I know you’re not surprised by this information. The demands of teaching and the accumulation of daily stress can take a toll on us, causing our physical and mental health to suffer (not to mention our relationships and our families!)
And as if it weren’t stressful enough to know all of that, our stress impacts our students’ stress levels, too! It can impair our relationships with young people, and even impact their educational success.
But as stressed-out as we are, we are committed to the important work of teaching. We came to this profession with a desire to nurture, educate, and inspire the next generation. We want to teach with passion, purpose, and presence.
We deserve all the support we can get in that endeavor. But too often, our professional development focuses on things like rubrics, state testing, or technology. And while those topics are important in allowing us to be successful in our work, we must also take time to ensure that we are not just good at what we do, but that we are fulfilled by what we do.
Luckily, the research doesn’t just tell us we’re stressed out, it tells us what can help! Several studies now point to the positive impact of mindfulness for teachers. Specifically, we know that when teachers practice mindfulness, it can lead to:
- better relationships with colleagues
- improved teaching effectiveness
- reduced symptoms of burnout
- improved relationships with students and colleagues
- more successful classroom management
- improved teaching effectiveness
MINDFULNESS FOR TEACHERS is an online, self-paced course. All of the content (see the outline below) is delivered one week at a time, and can be accessed across all of your devices. There is no need to be online at a particular time, and you have LIFETIME access to the content once you complete the course!
“Self-care is never a selfish act – it is simply good stewardship of the only gift I have, the gift I was put on earth to offer others. Anytime we can listen to true self and give the care it requires, we do it not only for ourselves, but for the many others whose lives we touch.”
Parker Palmer
Sarah is a Mindful Schools Certified Instructor, and the Executive Director of Brilliant Mindfulness. She has taught mindfulness to thousands of people in workshops and trainings for teachers, students, parents, and families, and in her online courses. A teacher with 17 years of classroom experience, she also writes about mindfulness and joyful living on her popular blog Left Brain Buddha, and was featured in the August 2016 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine. She has had a personal mindfulness practice for many years, and describes mindfulness as life-changing.
“The foundation for teaching mindfully is always our own mindfulness practice.”
Daniel Rechtschaffen
Course Outline
Click to expand each title and see the learning outcomes for each week.
Week One: The Art (and the Heart) of Teaching
We’ll begin with learning to slow down as we explore the art, and heart, of teaching.
- practice basic mindfulness and relaxation strategies that invite you to give yourself permission to slow down and take care of yourself
- connect to your purpose and your passion as an educator, and explore how to show up each day with intention and commitment
- share your education journey with other members of the course as we explore and honor our identity as teachers
- learn about the research-based formulas (yes, they exist!) for joyful and meaningful living so you can set yourself on a path of success and fulfillment
Week Two: Mindfulness 101
This week we’ll learn about mindfulness, and the research supporting its implementation in the classroom, and in our own lives.
- learn what mindfulness is, and what it is NOT (there are a lot of misconceptions out there, especially in education!
- begin to practice mindfulness with guided meditations especially for teachers
- explore the science of mindfulness and discover the fascinating ways mindfulness changes the brain
- learn strategies for working with your thoughts and emotions
Week Three: Managing the Stress of Teaching
Next, we’ll explore how mindfulness can help us meet the unique challenges of the classroom and the demands of teaching.
- discover how your stress-response system is supposed to work, and how it is probably ACTUALLY working
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learn mindfulness practices that help soothe the body’s stress response
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explore your classroom “triggers” and learn “in the moment” practices to keep your cool when your classroom feels crazy
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discover the two primary ways we can manage our stress, and how to determine which type of mindfulness strategy to use
Week Four: Teaching Mindfully
One of the most important factors in student achievement, and in our own personal happiness, is our ability to be present and attuned as we do the crucial work of teaching.
- learn about the fascinating field of interpersonal neurobiology, and understand how your attuned presence in the classroom impacts your students
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discover the importance of being the stable nervous system in the classroom, and the amazing science behind our ability to help students self-regulate
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find out the most important components of lesson delivery that have nothing to do with your lesson content
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explore ways to structure your classroom in order to minimize disruptions
Week Five: The Mindful Classroom
In our final week together, we’ll explore how to bring mindfulness into our work with young people.
- learn simple, age-appropriate mindfulness practices to introduce to your classroom (pre-K through high school)
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create simple mindfulness routines that will improve students’ ability to focus and self-regulate
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discover the important things you need to know before you bring mindfulness to your students
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learn mindfulness-based positive behavior intervention strategies
"Standing before a classroom every day is undeniably a courageous act.... You deserve whatever support is possible to make this endeavor both effective and fulfilling.”
Kirke Olson, The Invisible ClassroomIncluded in the Course
Guided Meditations
Powerful Lessons
Instructional Videos
PDF Downloads
What Participants are Saying…
“My daily work requires me to make quick decision. I am constantly problem-solving and feel the weight of having to come up with a solution to make things better for others. In Sarah’s class, I became much more reflective. I have slowed my reactions and take more time to just listen and process.”
“Sarah is the real deal! No gimmicks, no pressure. She guides participants on a journey that is uniquely their own, using the latest scientific research to feed the brain, andgentle mindful exercises that feed the heart.”
“Mindfulness has allowed me to more fully attend to the present moment, to stop chasing unproductive thoughts, and to exercise a greater degree of compassion towards myself. I’m a better teacher as a result of Sarah’s class. Just ask my students!”
“After taking this class, I am truly listening to my students. I am much more aware of the wait time each student needs and I find myself really listening to the questions my students are asking.”
Why should you take this course?
A course for teachers taught by a teacher
A chance to reflect and connect
Stress-management strategies that actually WORK
Practical ways to bring mindfulness to your students
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the course begin and end?
For how long do I have access to the course?
Will I earn CEU's or graduate credits for this course?
What if I am not happy with the course?
How much time will this course take? Will I be overwhelmed with daily content?
What qualifies you to teach mindfulness?
I have practiced and studied mindfulness for several years. I currently teach mindfulness to children, teens, and adults. I have been trained in the Mindful Schools curriculum and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and I have completed a 300-hour, year-long training program to become a Mindful Schools Certified Instructor. I am also a Guiding Teacher for the Mindful Schools Year-Long Certification Program. I taught high school for 17 years — the many courses I have taught include Psychology and World Religions. Additionally, I write about mindfulness on my popular blog Left Brain Buddha, which has over 25,000 unique visitors each month. My first book, Mindful Moments for Busy Moms, will be published in May, 2018. As the Executive Director of Brilliant Mindfulness, I teach mindfulness to students, teachers, parents, and children
Okay! How do I register?
Just click the button below — it will take you straight to the 100% secure checkout page on our Teachable site!
MINDFULNESS FOR TEACHERS
A POWERFUL ONLINE COURSE FOR EDUCATORSGroup discounts are available! Click here to email Sarah and request group pricing information.
