Module Introduction
Mindfulness is both a practice and a habit of mind that can help us find those pauses, those breaths, those moments between stimulus and reaction.
Researchers define mindfulness as the awareness that arises when we intentionally pay attention in a kind, open, and discerning way. When we are mindful, we focus on the present moment non-judgmentally.
Through mindfulness, we can learn to appreciate the simple act of being and discover the beauty in the present moment and find tranquility in the flow of life.
The concept of mindfulness, rooted in ancient Eastern contemplative traditions, predates modern research and was popularized as a secular practice in the 1990s by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s work on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), growing in influence and eventually making its way into the field of education.
Growing evidence suggests that when educators cultivate their own mindfulness, it can help reduce stress, improve focus, and create a more empathetic and engaging learning environment for their students.
Spark Interest
Take this Mindfulness Quiz to consider where you are in your mindfulness journey. To take it further, try out this mindful breathing practice.
Reflection
- Which aspects of mindfulness come more easily for you? Which aspects will benefit from more practice?
- How did the mindful breathing practice feel for you? What thoughts or feelings arose for you? Can you see yourself continuing with a mindful breathing practice? Why or why not?
Learning Objectives
In this module we will:
- Understand the definition, origins, and components of mindfulness
- Recognize the social, emotional, and professional benefits of mindfulness
- Explore ways to cultivate a personal mindfulness practice and habit of mind
Module Resources
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices organized by developmental level, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional learning opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topics of "Mindfulness for Adults" and “Mindfulness for Students”.
Individual Exploration
Mindfulness is both a practice and a habit of mind that can help us find pauses between our stressors and our reactions to them, and peace in the present moment. Increasing evidence indicates that when educators develop a mindfulness practice, it can reduce their stress, enhance their focus, and help them to foster a more empathetic and engaging learning environment for their students.
What is Mindfulness?
In this first segment, learn about the origins of the concept of mindfulness, how it is defined by researchers, and how it relates to your teaching. [11:00]
Reflection
- Can you recall a moment you felt really frustrated – either an interaction with a student or even a family member? Or maybe someone cut you off on your commute home. Your impulse was to raise your voice or retaliate, but you paused and calmed yourself before responding. What did you do to create this “pause” between the stressor and your reaction? Was it an aspect of mindfulness, without you realizing it at the time?
- Can you recall a time when you were really in the present moment or maybe in a state of “flow” (the experience of being fully immersed in an activity while losing all sense of time)? How did it feel? What emotions were present (or not present)?
Why is Mindfulness Important for Educators?
In this next video, learn what researchers have discovered about how mindfulness can benefit educators. [6:02]
Reflection
- If you have tried mindfulness practices before, how have you noticed mindfulness benefiting your teaching? What specific changes have you observed in your interactions with students and colleagues?
How to Cultivate Mindfulness
In this final video, learn how educators can intentionally cultivate mindfulness in themselves. [14:49]
Reflection
- Which of these mindfulness practices resonates the most with you? Why?
- Have you tried mindfulness practices before?
- Do you regularly practice mindfulness now? Why or why not? If not, what made you stop practicing mindfulness? If so, what helps you remain committed?
Links from video
- Mindful Breathing for Adults: Practice quietly and calmly redirecting your attention to your breath each time your mind wanders (less than 15 minutes)
- Happiness Break: Find Calm When You Can’t Clear Your Mind, With Lama Rod Owens: Five-minute mindfulness guided break
- How Qigong can calm your mind and body: A podcast about the benefits of Qigong
- Happiness Break: Walk Your Way to Calm: Brief five-minute walking meditation
- Brief Body Scan: A mindfulness practice that relaxes each body part, helping you to release tension and calm the mind (less than 15 minutes)
- Body Scan for Sleep: A mindfulness practice to help release the tension in the body in order to rest peacefully (less than 15 minutes)
- Mindful Self-Compassion for Adults: A mindfulness practice to help you experience the self-compassion that naturally exists within you, and consider the simple ways that you care for yourself each day (less than 15 minutes)
- Positivity Journals for Teachers: Teachers record the pleasant feelings they’ve experienced in a journal each day, helping to cultivate their well-being (less than 15 minutes)
- Discovering Meaning Through Awe: Staff members write about a time they experienced awe, reflect on what this experience revealed about what is most meaningful to them, and consider ways to bring this meaning into their daily lives (less than an hour)
- Mindful Music Moments: Each day for a week, the entire school (or classroom) mindfully listens to a four-minute recording of Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 9, From the New World“ (less than 15 minutes)
- Raisin Meditation | Practice | Greater Good in Action: A brief mindfulness activity around the sense of taste (5 minutes)
Module Resources
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices organized by developmental level, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional learning opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topics of "Mindfulness for Adults" and “Mindfulness for Students”.
A worksheet to help you plan for how you might practice mindfulness.
Group Facilitation
Before facilitating groups, spend time in individual exploration in order to experience and embody the learning. And if you haven’t yet explored our introduction to SEL in California, make sure you explore those resources.
Module Resources
This toolkit includes additional resources, including classroom lessons and practices organized by developmental level, staff meeting activities, videos, podcasts, articles, and professional learning opportunities, as well as supporting materials for group facilitation on the topics of "Mindfulness for Adults" and “Mindfulness for Students”.
A revisable, turnkey powerpoint slide deck to use for professional learning sessions on the topic of "Mindfulness for Educators".
A powerpoint slide deck with welcoming and closing activities to include in professional learning sessions.
A worksheet to help you plan for how you might practice mindfulness.
“Sometimes the most important thing in the whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.”
Do you want to dive deeper into the science behind our GGIE practices? Enroll in one of our online courses for educators!
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