The course empowers and equips educators to embody and teach social-emotional skills and mindful practices integral to the success of effective teaching and learning. This comprehensive course provides specialised training for educators inspired to develop expertise in social-emotional learning, mindfulness, and yoga in the context of education.
Through this experiential course, educators learn social-emotional learning strategies, mindfulness tools, and pedagogical practices that foster educator well-being, improve student outcomes, and transform school communities. This course is designed specifically for educators who are inspired to use these tools to improve their pedagogy and foster social change in their classrooms and communities.
Specialized Areas of Study
This innovative course equips educators with the knowledge and skills to integrate social-emotional learning, mindfulness, and yoga practices into their classrooms. Educators will explore evidence-based strategies to enhance student well-being, emotional regulation, and academic performance, and gain tools to build a more sustainable, purposeful, and enjoyable career. The course focuses on three primary areas of study: social-emotional learning, mindfulness, and yoga.
1) Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)
Educators will dive into the foundational principles of social-emotional learning, understanding its critical role in fostering a positive learning environment. They will:
● Explore the five core competencies of SEL: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. This exploration will help educators recognize how these competencies can improve their teaching shape students' interactions and emotional health.
● Learn how to create a supportive classroom environment that fosters emotional intelligence. Educators will discover techniques for building trust and rapport with students, essential for effective teaching and learning.
● Discover age-appropriate SEL activities and interventions for various grade levels. This knowledge will enable educators to tailor their approaches to meet the diverse needs of their students.
● Understand the connection between SEL and academic achievement. Participants will examine research that highlights the impact of SEL on student performance and engagement.
● Develop strategies for integrating SEL into existing curricula. Educators will learn practical methods to weave SEL principles into daily lessons and activities seamlessly.
● Learn assessment techniques to measure students' social-emotional growth. This will empower educators to track progress and adjust their approaches as needed.
2) Mindfulness
Educators will explore the transformative power of mindfulness, gaining insights into its benefits for both students and educators. They will:
● Understand the neuroscience behind mindfulness and its benefits for students and teachers. This foundational knowledge will illustrate how mindfulness practices can enhance cognitive function and emotional regulation.
● Learn various mindfulness techniques suitable for classroom settings. Educators will be equipped with a toolkit of practices that can be easily implemented during the school day.
● Explore ways to introduce mindfulness practices to educators and students of different ages. This exploration will ensure that educators can adapt techniques to suit the developmental stages of their students and community.
● Discover how to use mindfulness to manage classroom behaviour and improve focus. Educators will learn strategies to create a calm, focused atmosphere conducive to learning.
● Develop a personal mindfulness practice to enhance teaching effectiveness. Participants will engage in self-reflection and cultivate their own mindfulness practice, which are essential for modelling these skills to students.
● Create mindfulness-based lesson plans and activities. Educators will leave with practical, ready-to-use resources that can be immediately implemented in their classrooms and school communities.
3) Yoga
Educators will uncover the holistic benefits of yoga and its relevance in educational settings. They will:
● Learn the fundamentals of yoga philosophy and its relevance to education. This will provide a deeper understanding of how yoga can support personal growth and community building in the classroom.
● Explore age-appropriate yoga poses and sequences for children and adults. Educators will gain practical skills to lead yoga sessions that promote physical health and emotional balance.
● Understand how to adapt yoga practices for diverse abilities and needs. This inclusivity will ensure that all students can participate and benefit from yoga, regardless of their physical capabilities.
● Discover ways to incorporate yoga breaks and movement into daily classroom routines. Educators will learn how to use short yoga sessions to refresh and refocus students throughout the day.
● Learn breathing techniques to help students manage stress and anxiety. These techniques will empower students with tools to navigate challenging emotions and situations.
● Develop strategies for creating a calm and centred classroom environment using yoga principles. Educators will explore how to establish a space that promotes well-being for all students.
Throughout the course, participants will engage in practical exercises, peer discussions, and reflective practices to deepen their understanding and ability to implement these techniques effectively in their educational settings.
Transformational Curricular Progression
The curriculum follows a research-based transformational progression, beginning with the Transformation of Self, advancing to Transformation of Relationships, and culminating in Transformation of Community. Educators initially focus on embodying social-emotional skills personally, then extend these competencies to enhance individual and collective well-being in their schools and communities.
Transformation of Self
● Educators reconnect with their passion and purpose, prioritising personal well-being and embodying leadership and social-emotional competencies crucial for effective teaching and learning.
Transformation of Relationships
● Building on this foundation, educators develop skills to cultivate presence, compassion, and effective communication, enhancing both personal and professional relationships.
Transformation of Community
● Educators further their ability to foster inclusion, collaboration, and social justice, thereby enhancing collective well-being and improving educational outcomes in classrooms, schools, and communities.
This course prepares educators to lead wellness and social-emotional learning initiatives, creating positive learning environments for students from pre-kindergarten through grade 12, as well as for adults.
Social-Emotional Learning Competencies
This comprehensive course aligns with the five social-emotional learning competencies defined by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) by providing educators with practices that enhance these competencies for both educators and students.
Self-Awareness:
● Educators develop self-awareness alongside their students by recognizing their emotions, thoughts, and values.
● Mindfulness practices help both educators and students reflect on emotions and experiences, fostering confidence and purpose.
● Yoga enhances self-awareness by promoting a connection with physical and emotional states, supporting body-mind integration.
Self-Management:
● Educators learn to manage emotions and behaviours effectively, modelling these skills for students.
● The course teaches mindfulness techniques for stress management, emotional regulation, and goal-setting for both educators and students.
● Yoga contributes by instilling discipline and focus, helping manage stress and self-control in various situations.
Social Awareness:
● The course emphasises empathy and understanding as key components of social awareness.
● Educators are taught to appreciate diverse perspectives and empathise with others, skills they can pass on to students.
● Mindfulness practices enhance the ability to be present and attentive to the needs and feelings of others, fostering compassion across diverse contexts.
Relationship Skills:
● Educators build and maintain healthy relationships with students, peers, and the broader school community.
● The course promotes communication, cooperation, and conflict resolution through SEL activities and mindfulness practices.
● Yoga sessions enhance teamwork and trust, improving the ability to navigate social interactions and create a positive classroom environment.
Responsible Decision-Making:
● Educators are supported in making ethical and constructive choices, which they can model for students.
● Mindfulness and SEL activities teach both educators and students to evaluate the consequences of their actions and consider ethical standards.
● Yoga encourages thoughtful decision-making through its focus on intentionality and mindfulness, benefiting personal and professional life.
Holistic Development:
● The course equips educators with comprehensive tools to integrate social-emotional learning competencies into their teaching.
Both educators and students experience holistic development, enhancing their ability to thrive in educational settings.
