2020 SESSIONS
MORNING BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Growing Mindful in the Age of Anxiety: Resilience and Self Regulation Skills for Teens
Christopher Willard
In a time when almost a third of our kids are struggling with anxiety and other mental health issues, Dr. Willard offers straightforward solutions for educators to not just manage stress, but build resilience in a time of distraction and danger. As more and more schools successfully launch kids academically, more and more fall behind in launching them emotionally into college as students take ever more time to complete college due to mental health concerns. Combining cutting edge neuroscience with the simplicity of techniques now used by everyone from artists to athletes, everywhere from basic training to boardrooms, we will spend this session learning fun ways to integrate mindfulness, mental health and balance back into education, to strengthen your students as they face life’s challenges.
Creativity, Mindfulness and Compassion
Tara Wosiski
Set an intention for self-compassion through art. In this session, experience how art and creativity foster mindfulness and compassion. Research shows the benefits of compassion are far-reaching and powerful. Participants will explore connecting to their own inner-compassion as they work with line, pattern and watercolor designs. Learn to lead this activity in the classroom or home setting using simple materials. The activity and practice are adaptable for younger students to adults. No art experience necessary to enjoy this mindful drawing and painting activity.
School-Wide Mindfulness Implementation
Peter Franklin
Learn it. Live it. Teach It. Embed it. A working session on implementing mindfulness on two different levels: First, the benefits of curating one’s own mindfulness practice. Second, participants will be introduced to strategies for implementing mindfulness into the school setting. SEL Core Competencies will be addressed at all levels.
Effective Lesson Planning for Mindful Classrooms
Marie Nagode
Designing effective lessons for classrooms can be both challenging and time consuming. In this interactive session, we will discuss the basics of a successful lesson plan, learn new mindful games and activities, and develop a list of resources that can be used for future curriculum development.
Moving Mindfully Through Transitions
Christyn Schroeder
Our students’ lives are in a constant flow from one experience to another. Their equilibrium and sense of self depend on how ease-fully they are able to transition. We will explore movement, mindfulness exercises, and breathing techniques to help our students (and ourselves) transition our minds and bodies to focus, energize, calm, and manage big feelings. (No yoga experience necessary.)
Mindfulness and Self-Care for Educators
Jenny Williams and Judy Hall
Are you interested in finding ways to implement self-care and mindfulness techniques to boost your resilience and decrease exhaustion? Are you looking for ways to infuse mindfulness practices for both yourself and your students during the school day? In this session, you will learn ways to find peace, calm, and a new approach even in the midst of the face pace of a typical school day.
Is Your Program REALLY Secular?
Fiona Jensen
When you teach mindfulness in public or private schools are you well informed regarding potential conflicts with the First Amendment and the Establishment Clause? Do you even know what they mean in relation to mindfulness? Would you be able to support schools if a parent came in with this complaint? In this session, you will become aware of how to ensure what you are teaching is secular; gain a clear understanding of the First Amendment; and learn about avoiding potential harm when teaching these skills.
Trauma in the Room
Wynne Kinder, MEd
Trauma affects us all. The more we, as teachers, learn about the wounding, vulnerability, and resilience within our students, the more we feel compassion and responsibility to support them. Now that we know, what can we do in the classroom? What if their unknown wounds trigger our own?
The Art of Service
Rachel Armentano
Service-learning refers to learning that actively involves students in community-based service activities while also advancing the goals of a given curriculum. Learn how to bridge service learning with mindfulness practices that focus on both self-awareness and connecting to one’s community. This session will walk participants through a service-learning unit that incorporates art, health, and reflection while benefiting a local organization. Content can be adapted for any age group. (*This session is held on the second floor and is only accessible by the stairs.)
Utilizing Active Listening and Powerful Questions Within Schools
Marie Mechtaly
Good leadership all begins with you! YOUR ability to listen, ask questions & hold an open, non-judgemental space for those you serve. Active listening skills & powerful, open-ended questions invites for curiosity, clarity, exploration & direction. Learn how to skillfully apply these tools as an integrated part of your leadership.
Integrating Mindfulness Through the Common Core
Amy Leclaire & Amy Lopes
In this session, you will hear first-hand experience from teachers that have interacted with these two disciplines for seven years resulting in positive impactful changes in school culture and climate. Mindfulness is not “another thing” to do in the classroom, it can directly reinforce the Common Core anchor standards.
Where do Mindfulness & Social and Emotional Learning Overlap?
Vanessa Weiner
There are many opportunities for mindfulness to support the development of social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies, and vice versa. In this session, we will identify the intersection of these two disciplines and how, together, they can strengthen each other’s efforts. Focusing on inside-out learning opportunities, this session will engage participants in hands-on learning. You will leave with a clear understanding of how these two disciplines bolster each other, concrete strategies for building competencies in both, and greater comfort embedding mindfulness practices as a way to master SEL competencies.
AFTERNOON BREAKOUT SESSIONS
Growing Mindful in the Age of Anxiety: Resilience and Self Regulation Skills for Elementary Students
Christopher Willard
In a time when almost a third of our kids are struggling with anxiety and other mental health issues, Dr. Willard offers straightforward solutions for educators to not just manage stress, but build resilience in a time of distraction and danger. As more and more schools successfully launch kids academically, more and more fall behind in launching them emotionally into college as students take ever more time to complete college due to mental health concerns. Combining cutting edge neuroscience with the simplicity of techniques now used by everyone from artists to athletes, everywhere from basic training to boardrooms, we will spend the session learning fun ways to integrate mindfulness, mental health and balance back into education, to strengthen your students as they face life’s challenges.
Creativity, Mindfulness and Compassion
Tara Wosiski
Set an intention for self-compassion through art. In this session, experience how art and creativity foster mindfulness and compassion. Research shows the benefits of compassion are far-reaching and powerful. Participants will explore connecting to their own inner-compassion as they work with line, pattern and watercolor designs. Learn to lead this activity in the classroom or home setting using simple materials. The activity and practice are adaptable for younger students to adults. No art experience necessary to enjoy this mindful drawing and painting activity.
Mindful Movement and Making
Wendy Gustavel
Mindfulness doesn’t have to be quiet and still. In fact, for many children and adults, adding an active component to our mindfulness practice can help us become more fully present in the moment. In this session, you will learn how simple yoga practices and craft activities can make mindfulness more engaging and fun for everyone! This session requires active participation in basic mindful movement and craft activities. We will be learning by doing!
Workshop Your Successful Mindfulness Program
Gabriel Baldwin
Gabriel will present consistent qualities of a successful mindfulness implementation strategy from his experience working with dozens of schools (elementary, middle, and high schools). Come with your specific school environment in mind as we will dive into collaborative small groups to prepare a program strategy for your school.
Creating and Maintaining a Mindful Classroom
Caity MacDonald
First, participants will examine the benefits of curating one’s own mindfulness practice. This session will focus on mindful practices that can take place every day in your classroom from set up to activities to quick check ins. You will leave this session with a variety of resources and practices to stay mindful with students of all ages in your classroom.
Mindful Rhythm
Trixie Dumas
This is a hands on session that will use various types of looms with guided prompts. Participants will experience how textiles can be used to create a mindful experience for adults and students alike. The rhythm of setting up a loom, weaving through the warp, or using repetitive wrapping can be soothing. This type of practice can transport a person to another place while helping them connect to themselves. * No music or art ability required.
The Healing Power of Gratitude
Adam Boaz
This session focuses on changing attitudes and behaviors that lead to stress and anxiety by actively practicing gratitude. Gratitude is a skill and can be strengthened by switching from an “I have to ” to an “I GET to” mindset.
Integrating Mindfulness into Your School Community
Joan Tetrault, M.S.W., MS.Ed.
Perhaps you have taken your first course, have a long-standing practice, or are just beginning to consider whether mindfulness might improve your resilience and well-being as an educator. Sharing the experience of our public school, this workshop explores how to integrate mindfulness into a school community.
Trauma in the Room
Wynne Kinder, MEd
Trauma affects us all. The more we, as teachers, learn about the wounding, vulnerability, and resilience within our students, the more we feel compassion and responsibility to support them. Now that we know, what can we do in the classroom? What if their unknown wounds trigger our own?
Embodying the Mindfulness Practice
Jessica Janze, M.A.
Mindfulness provides students with extensive benefits. But what are the factors that make this practice so successful? Research suggests the most effective implementers of mindfulness aren’t expert meditators but mindfulness trained K-12 teachers. We will discuss what research says about implementing mindfulness in classrooms and the role teachers play.
Mindfulness & Art: Circles, Shapes, Mandalas & Collaboration
Rachel Armentano
No art experience necessary for this hands-on workshop. Participants will explore the origins and significance of mandala designs. Rachel will lead drawing and painting exercises and projects that focus on the process of art-making, layering, and building confidence. Artists will experience how art can encourage both personal growth and community building. Activities and pedagogy can be applied to self-mindfulness practice, family, or the academic classroom. (*This session is held on the second floor and is only accessible by the stairs.)
Ecological Consciousness
Joe Karr
This workshop will focus on developing ecological consciousness for all ages in both formal and informal school settings. We will explore numerous activities that are engaging, insightful, fun, and which lead to a deeper understanding of our place in the universe. Participants will leave with multiple strategies that can be used in their own learning communities.
Utilizing Active Listening and Powerful Questions Within Schools
Marie Mechtaly
Good leadership all begins with you! YOUR ability to listen, ask questions & hold an open, non-judgemental space for those you serve. Active listening skills & powerful, open-ended questions invites for curiosity, clarity, exploration & direction. Learn how to skillfully apply these tools as an integrated part of your leadership.
