Author:
Jennings outlines how mindfulness can support educators in schools by decreasing their stress, empowering them to manage their emotions, and promoting their overall wellness. Teachers may experience burnout from the pressures of effectively managing their classes and meeting the needs of their students. According to Jennings, “incorporating mindfulness into their lives can help teachers in handling stress, developing self-awareness, managing emotions, and cultivating a more caring attitude, resulting in a better classroom atmosphere. (Patricia, A.2018). Easy methods of paying attention to your breath, taking short breaks to meditate, and listening carefully can be added to your daily routine to help teachers stay attentive and focused. For me, by providing greater attention, teachers can build a positive classroom environment atmosphere, where students can involved in class, and feel their happiness. In addition, schools that support mindfulness practices can contribute to a healthier and more productive among students and teachers which can benefit the entire school. I think that mindfulness should be added to schools through teacher training and new classroom activities, and by creating a supportive school environment.
(Skinner, et all. 2016) have found that practicing mindfulness can help teachers feel less stressed, improve their emotional well-being, and build better relationships with their students as well as offering teachers concrete strategies like mindful breathing and body-focused practices to improve their well-being and cultivate a conducive atmosphere for student learning.
References
Jennings, P. A. (2018). Bringing Mindfulness to Teacher PD. Educational Leadership, 76(2), 64-68.
Skinner, E., & Beers, J. (2016). Mindfulness and teachers’ coping in the classroom: A developmental model of teacher stress, coping, and everyday resilience. Handbook of mindfulness in education: Integrating theory and research into practice, 99-118.
Mindfulness as we learnt in class is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the current moment, without judgement. For me as a student, it means focusing entirely on the lecturer’s teaching, instructions during class, and letting go of any distracting thoughts. As a mum, I could relate it to giving total attention to my kids during playtime, family time, etc. without thinking about work, assignments or presentation. The practice of mindfulness is essential in promoting our well-being. Thank you for sharing, Ahlem.
As a future educator, I believe Jennings’ points about mindfulness are incredibly valuable. Practising mindfulness can help teachers reduce stress, manage emotions, and improve overall well-being. Simple techniques like mindful breathing, taking short meditation breaks, and attentive listening can keep teachers focused and calm. This not only benefits the teachers but also creates a positive and engaging classroom environment for students. Implementing mindfulness practices through teacher training and classroom activities can lead to a healthier, more productive school atmosphere. I am excited about the potential of bringing these practices into my future classroom to enhance both my well-being and my students’ learning experiences. Thank you, Ahlem, for sharing your thoughts.
Excellent discussion on how important SEL and mindfulness is for teachers themselves. The CARE program that Jennings developed is paramount for teachers to reduce their stress load and be more attentive to their students’ social and emotional help. Research has shown that teachers who have SEL skills have lower disruptive behaviours in their classrooms.