The Mindful School

Mindfulness is a practice increasingly making its way into schools. Mindfulness can be defined as "the awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally" (Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn). Cultivating mindful awareness through exercises of attention, noticing, and compassion has been shown to rewire our brains in ways that make us happier, calmer, and energized. Students who practice mindfulness are better able to regulate emotions, helping them contribute to a more positive and productive classroom experience.

Educators, mental health workers, and school leaders who enroll in this fully online graduate-level course will become equipped to establish and strengthen mindfulness programs in their schools. Participants will explore a variety of current school mindfulness and compassion-based programs that outline: frameworks and guidelines for school mindfulness; dispositions of mindful educators; fundamental mindfulness practices; options for mindfulness-based curricula and programs; roles and responsibilities of stakeholders; strategies for increasing engagement and developing leadership; suggestions for school-family partnerships.

Whether you're hoping to start a mindfulness club or aiming for a schoolwide implementation, this course will prepare you to launch a successful mindfulness program. The course explores a secular, research-based approach to mindfulness. However, initial readings situate mindfulness in the context of Christian spirituality and theology. My hope is that you will find the course and associated activities inclusive and accessible to extend the benefits of mindfulness to all students and educators.

Course content draws on the CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning) Framework for the following competencies: self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, social awareness, relationship skills. The course may be taken with or without students. The course text is included as a free digital download.