Mindfulness for Teacher Self-Care and Classroom Calm
Mindfulness for Teacher Self-Care and Classroom Calm
presented by Andrea D'Asaro
Teaching is one of the most demanding and exhausting professions, especially when students come from disadvantaged or low-literacy backgrounds. Mindfulness (relaxation through moment-by-moment awareness) increases job satisfaction, classroom effectiveness and reduces toxic stress. Teachers who practice mindfulness also enjoy more positive classroom atmospheres and fewer behavior concerns. This workshop introduced teachers to personal mindfulness, how it builds brain resilience, and some short techniques to help maintain equilibrium throughout the school day. Teachers will also learn how to provide mindful moments in the K-12 classroom to increase attention on academic tasks, reduce test-taking anxiety and boost overall executive functioning.
Andrea D’Asaro, mindfulness teacher, Awaken to Mindfulness: After integrating mindfulness into my daily classroom routine for 15 years, I began providing workshops to offer stress-reduction for teachers. I first learned meditation as a college student at Western Washington University, and completed my student teaching at Whittier Elementary in Everett, where I now provide workshops through the district’s wellness program. In my various trainings, teachers learn how to:
- Develop a mindfulness practice to increase well-being,
- Take moments to de-stress during the school day, and
- Incorporate mindfulness into the classroom to increase academic and test-taking skills, regulate emotion and boost class compassion.
A certified teacher of secular Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), I draw on the Learning to Breathe and Mind Up curricula. This year, I’m pleased to offer clock hour training and classroom instruction for K-12 classrooms in Seattle, Everett and Marysville schools. I also provide whole school mindfulness programs and meditation training for colleges, businesses and community groups throughawakentomindfulness@gmail.com .