Many teachers welcome students through the door and get straight to the work at hand. While positioned as an immediate, “do now” action, this type of quiet, seated work allows both the students and teacher to await the arrival of the rest of the class. This is often thought to “get the thinking juices flowing,” […]
Articles
Did You Know You Have Superpowers?
Since I began studying the practices of yoga and mindfulness 15 years ago, I have always been fascinated by the research surrounding human neurology and physiology. After the first few classes of learning how to control my breath, stay grounded in my body, and notice the fluctuations in my mind, I knew there was something […]
The Power of Belonging
“True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.” ― Brené Brown This holiday season, I thought a lot about this quote by Brené Brown. Although we were all on edge with the proliferation of Omicron, all three of our children were able to make it […]
Caring for Mental Health is Like Brushing Your Teeth
I bet you have been brushing your teeth for as long as you can remember. Oral hygiene is important. We are taught this at such a very young age. I actually remember lessons from when I was in elementary school, specifically teaching us how to properly brush our teeth. It makes sense that we value […]
3 Steps for Creating Positive Change in the Classroom
As educators, we often get caught up in the day-to-day occurrences in our life, failing to take time to stop, notice and respond to the situation in front of us. We find ourselves ruminating over the frustrations and annoyances of the past, and become easily overwhelmed from the continual worrying and anticipation of what may […]
Reducing Pandemic-related Trauma for Educators and Students
According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, one in every three students in classrooms across the U.S. had been exposed to a traumatic event prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. While managing students’ mental health had been a concern for school districts long before then, the global health crisis has made these types of mental […]
Mindfulness and SEL for Educators
As the evidence-based research is mounting that children’s capacity to cope with emotions influences their ability to learn, there has been a national movement in education to integrate social and emotional learning into the classroom. Often times, the implementation of SEL curriculum is driven by the goal of supporting the attainment of specific skills for […]
Imaginate to Create
Your brain is supercharged with about a billion new brain cells that form essential connections called neurons that support you in learning and doing everything you need and want to do. The brain cells you use will strengthen; the ones you don’t will wither away. The withering part is just as important as the strengthening […]
