Master of Education in Social-Emotional Learning, Mindfulness and Yoga

This course equips educators with essential knowledge and skills to support the well-being and performance of both students and educators. Participants will explore the prevalence and impact of mental health issues, such as anxiety, depression, and behavioural disorders, among school-aged children, adolescents, and educators. The course provides a comprehensive understanding of how mental health influences cognitive functions, social interactions, and overall academic performance by delving into the latest research on brain development, stress responses, and the connection between mental health and learning.

Throughout the course, participants will examine the progression of mental health from personal well-being to interpersonal and collective well-being. This progression highlights the multifaceted nature of mental health and its effects on individual and group dynamics in educational settings. The course addresses contemporary challenges, including the influence of social media, the integration of new technologies in the classroom, and the rise of prescribed medications, providing educators with insights into how these factors shape mental health.

Participants will also explore culturally responsive approaches to mental health support, ensuring that the diverse needs of students and educators are met with appropriate and effective care. By the end of the course, educators will be empowered to lead mental health initiatives within their educational communities, fostering a p

This is an immersive course rooted in educational sciences and research, tailored for educators eager to cultivate strong, collaborative relationships within their educational settings and the broader communities they serve. Drawing from theories of child, adult, and social learning, the course emphasises the critical role of fostering connections among students, educators, families, and community members, thereby creating a supportive network that enhances both teaching and learning.

Throughout the course, educators will explore pedagogical practices centred on relationship-building and community engagement, supported by empirical research demonstrating their positive impact on student engagement and achievement. Through interactive workshops, group discussions, and integration activities, participants will learn strategies to foster a culture of connection, vulnerability, and mutual respect in their classrooms. Key topics include the importance of trust and communication, culturally responsive teaching, and the integration of diverse perspectives into the learning process.

By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with practical tools to create nurturing and inspiring learning environments that emphasise connection and community. They will understand how to leverage community partnerships to enrich the curriculum and enhance student engagement, making this course ideal for educators dedicated to transforming their practice through the power of collaboration and community involvement.

The course will equip educators with the skills and knowledge needed to create inclusive learning environments that address the diverse needs of all students. This course inspires educators to facilitate accessible learning experiences that benefit everyone in the community.

Participants will learn essential principles and innovative strategies for differentiation and scaffolding, gaining practical tools to effectively meet the varied needs of their students. Through engaging lectures, collaborative discussions, and hands-on activities, educators will explore how to design learning experiences that accommodate different learning styles, abilities, and interests. The course emphasises the importance of instructional flexibility, allowing educators to adapt content, processes, and assessments to ensure all students can succeed.

The course also provides real-world examples of differentiated instruction in various educational settings, helping educators understand its successful application. By the end, participants will have a comprehensive toolkit of strategies to make their instruction more accessible. Whether you're a classroom teacher, administrator, or support staff, this course will enhance your ability to create meaningful learning experiences that enable all students to reach their full potential.

This course delves into the intersection of equity, inclusion, and belonging within educational settings, emphasising the latest research from cognitive psychology, sociology, and educational neuroscience. Educators will explore how diverse learners experience educational environments and how these experiences impact their academic outcomes and well-being. The course examines the neurological and psychological foundations of belonging, the cognitive effects of exclusion, and how equitable practices can enhance learning outcomes for all students.

Students will critically analyse current educational practices through the lens of equity and inclusion, focusing on the five social-emotional learning competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. The course addresses implicit biases, stereotype threats, and systemic barriers that hinder learning and contribute to disparities in educational achievement.

By the end of the course, participants will gain a deep understanding of the research underpinning equity, inclusion, and belonging in education. They will also develop practical skills for fostering inclusive classroom environments, promoting a sense of belonging among diverse students, and implementing equitable assessment practices to support all learners.

The Trauma-Informed Teaching course is a transformative journey that will prepare and empower the learner to teach through a trauma-informed lens. This course guides the student to embody and implement trauma-informed teaching principles across diverse education and wellness contexts. By the end of the course, the student will feel confident integrating trauma-sensitive mind-body wellness practices into every facet of teaching and leadership.

Trauma-informed teaching is not just about responding to explicit trauma but also creating an environment that supports the well-being of all students. It involves understanding the prevalence and effects of trauma, adapting teaching strategies, and fostering a compassionate and empathetic approach in the educational setting. This approach acknowledges that students may bring various experiences and challenges to the learning environment, and it seeks to create an atmosphere that promotes healing, growth, and academic success.

It is to be recognised that every leader holding space for others is, in essence, an educator. Whether one finds oneself in a classroom, school, or another community setting, embracing the principles of trauma-informed teaching will equip the student to facilitate healing and cultivate a sense of inclusion and belonging within the community.

Mindful Classroom Management offers educators a comprehensive system of support designed to establish an engaging, interconnected, and inspiring learning space for every student. Utilizing the THRIVE Method, educators may become leaders in their classrooms and forge environments that encourage positive behaviours, elevate student achievements, and enrich the overall well-being of the entire school community.

The THRIVE Method consists of 6 steps educators can easily implement to foster a positive school culture and climate. The 6 steps to THRIVE include:

Teach Expectations

Honor Experiences

Respond Mindfully

Identify Opportunities

Validate Progress

Empower Transformation

Dive into ancient wisdom traditions in this module designed for educators seeking to integrate yoga’s rich history and ethical framework into their leadership and lives. Explore the ethical principles of the Yamas and Niyamas, which provide a blueprint for conducting oneself with integrity and leading with compassion. Reflect deeply on your relationship to principles like nonviolence and kindness, discipline and commitment, acceptance, and non-attachment and non-judgment, and how they relate to your role as a teacher and leader in your community.

Discussions around cultural appropriation encourage a respectful and informed approach, emphasizing the importance of honoring the origins of wisdom traditions while making them accessible in diverse educational settings.

This module will help educators learn, grapple with, and integrate the philosophy of yoga as it relates to modern0day life and teaching. Through practical, tangible discussions with other educators, educators will bring the wisdom within these esoteric teachings to life in ways that enhance their leadership, relationships, and communities.

This module follows a transformational progression that empowers and equips educators to enhance their lives, teaching, and leadership:

In the first section, Transformation of Self, educators learn mind-body wellness practices and social-emotional skills to reduce stress and burnout, increase emotional intelligence and performance, and develop leadership capacity. Educators learn to prioritize their physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being, and create a vision for themselves as teachers and leaders.

In the second section, Transformation of Relationships, educators explore how to build meaningful relationships grounded in presence, compassion, resilience, and authenticity. Educators apply powerful relational frameworks like nonviolent communication and mindful listening and leverage science-backed practices to build profound connections.

In the third section, Transformation of Community, educators apply wellness practices and leadership skills to catalyze change in their schools and communities. They emerge as wellness champions and utilize social-emotional learning and wellness as vehicles for healing and social change.

Upon completion, educators gain skills to integrate their learnings and uplevel their leadership, and leave ready to inspire change and create ripple effects of well-being in their communities.

This module is designed to empower educators with the knowledge and skills to effectively integrate Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) practices into instruction, and lead mind-body and wellness experiences for students, staff, and entire educational communities.

Educators gain a comprehensive understanding of SEL and become proficient in fostering the social-emotional well-being of students and community members in their care. They learn to embody and teach social-emotional competencies, including self-awareness, self-management, relationship skills, social awareness, and responsible decision-making — and become equipped to build students’ emotional intelligence and life skills.

Through this experiential experience, educators enhance their own well-being, support the physical and mental health of their students, and emerge as leaders of social-emotional learning in their schools and/or communities.

Discover the power of mindfulness to enhance teaching and learning within education. This immersive module guides educators in developing and sustaining a personal mindfulness practice, and equips them with skills to lead both adults and young people through transformative mindfulness and manifestation practices.

In this module, educators embark on a journey of self-awareness, starting with breath-based practices to deepen their present-moment connection. Progressing through body and emotion-focused techniques, educators cultivate resilience and emotional intelligence, while mastering thought meditation for clarity and compassion. This experience extends beyond personal well-being, empowering educators to step more into their authentic leadership and positively impact their communities.

Throughout this module, educators enhance their well-being, sustain their career, and become equipped to scaffold the mindfulness practices they learn into their teaching and leadership contexts. From a place of embodiment, educators gain the tools and confidence they need to effectively lead mindfulness-based practices in their classrooms and school communities.

This module equips educators to design and teach trauma-informed and inclusive mind-body and wellness classes for adults and young people in their schools, districts, organizations, and communities. Educators both enhance their own well-being, and utilize mind-body wellness practices as a vehicle for healing and social change in their schools and communities.

As a result of this module, educators become experts in frameworks for teaching accessible mind-body wellness classes for adults and youth of all abilities and backgrounds. Educators learn how these practices can lead to greater resiliency, self-regulation and discipline for students and impact performance in the classroom. They also explore the impact of these inclusive practices on fostering collaboration between staff and on the health and well-being of school communities.

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.

This module equips educators to lead powerful mindful movement and chair yoga practices in their classrooms and school communities in a trauma-informed, equitable, accessible, community-based, and healing-centred way. Educators will discover the benefits of mindful movement for educators and students of all ages, and learn how the powerful practice of chair yoga can serve as a tangible tool to enhance social-emotional learning and academic outcomes in school.

During this module, educators will improve their own health and well-being by learning to move their own bodies in the chair in a way that feels safe, supportive, and healing. They will simultaneously gain skills to incorporate mindful movement practices into their classroom and community in simple, practical ways. They will learn to settle students into — and transition students between — any learning experience using the mindful practice of chair yoga. They will also feel confident drawing on movement practices in the chair as energising activities, relaxation strategies, and community building opportunities.

As a result of this experience, educators will be able to integrate a wide range of simple, tangible chair yoga practices into their instruction, staff meetings, or other school events. From seated side bends, to twists, to sun salutations, these quick practices will enhance educators’ and students’ physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being, and foster a deep sense of connection and belonging in the classroom and school community.

The Leading Social Change Through Yoga Philosophy module empowers educators to inspire positive change in their communities through their leadership. Through this experience, educators will learn to draw on the teachings of yoga to help translate their visions for social change into action in their teaching and leadership contexts. Together, educators will explore sacred yogic texts and concepts, and learn to embody these transformative teachings in our lives, relationships, and communities. Students will walk away with a more holistic understanding of the rich philosophy and history of yoga, and be equipped to incorporate these principles into their teaching as a vehicle for social change.

During this exploration, educators will deepen their connection to their leadership through the lens of a wide range of philosophical yogic concepts from two famous texts: The Yoga Sutras and the Bhagavad Gita. They will learn important yogic principles that give them access to a deeper understanding of themselves and their role as a teacher and leader.

Through their journey into yoga philosophy, educators will come to see how the ancient teachings of yoga can support them in teaching and leading in a trauma-informed, equitable, accessible, community-based, and healing centered way.

This module approaches sequencing with the intention of creating accessible healing experiences that resonate with every student — of all backgrounds, ages, body types, experiences, and abilities. When teaching in a trauma-informed, equitable, accessible, community-based, and healing-cantered way, it is possible to create different doorways into the practice that support diverse students in experiencing resonance — and that’s what the practice of yoga is all about!

In this module, students will learn to design and sequence resonant yoga classes for people of all backgrounds, body types, identities, abilities, and experiences levels, so that everyone can access this healing practice. This module will strengthen student’s ability to effectively sequence yoga classes through the lens of the TEACH Method:

●      Trauma-Informed

●      Equitable

●      Accessible

●      Community-Based

●      Healing-Centered

Through a series of teaching case studies, students will learn to sequence and teach yoga classes for every body, and be fully prepared to sequence all types of yoga classes in a way that physically, mentally, and emotionally supports the diverse audiences they teach.

This course will allow you to embark on a transformative journey , where the learner will uncover the profound impact of seamlessly integrating restoration, relaxation, and healing into daily life and teaching endeavours. The student can immerse oneself in a diverse palette of restorative wellness practices, equipping one with the expertise to skill-fully guide revitalising restorative yoga experiences tailored for individuals of all body types. One can nurture a profound sense of calm and presence in one’s mind, body, and heart, emerging from the course empowered to harness the potential of restorative yoga as a dynamic catalyst for well-being in both one’s personal life and community. Throughout this immersive experience, the learner will not only deepen one’s understanding but also acquire the knowledge and skills essential to both practice and lead rejuvenating restorative sessions across varied settings and communities. The course, meticulously designed to be trauma-informed, equitable, accessible, community-based, and healing-centred, empowers one to seamlessly integrate these principles into one’s teaching practices. Regardless of whether one is new to or experienced in restorative mind-body practices, this course is carefully crafted to elevate both one’s personal practice and teaching, propelling them to new heights.

This course is a transformative journey that empowers and inspires the learner to seamlessly integrate inclusive chair yoga practices into daily life and teaching. Throughout this course, the student will delve into a diverse array of chair yoga movements and variations, gaining the expertise to lead accessible chair yoga classes and sequences suitable for all body types.The learner will not only feel a profound sense of well-being in his own body but also be motivated to harness the life-changing potential of yoga within the comforting embrace of his own chair.This module goes beyond traditional yoga instruction, providing the student with the tools to embody and teach chair yoga in a trauma-informed, equitable, and community-centric manner. It will help the learner to discover how to seamlessly incorporate inclusive and safe chair yoga practices into the teaching toolkit, utilising them as brain breaks, transitions, community-building activities, and relaxation practices.Whether one is guiding short mindfulness breaks or leading entire chair yoga classes for diverse audiences, one will be well-equipped.The course places a strong emphasis on the use of invitational language and the creation of inclusive environments. It will help to foster spaces that not only calm, centre, and ground oneself but also extend those benefits to all members of the community. This approach ensures that chair yoga becomes a powerful tool not just for physical health, but also for fostering connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging within the community. It will allow one to embark on a journey that transcends traditional yoga instruction and taps into the healing potential of chairyoga in a way that is both enriching and inclusive.

The Practicum is a carefully structured, two-semester experience designed to guide educators through a rigorous eight-step process. The coursework is grounded in action research, and this practicum equips educators to systematically investigate and address real-world challenges within their communities, allowing them to put the knowledge, skills, and competencies gained throughout their Master’s program into action.

Throughout the practicum, educators engage in cycles of planning, acting, observing, and reflecting. This iterative process enables them to identify relevant research questions, collect and analyze data, and implement evidence-based interventions. The hands-on approach enhances problem-solving skills and fosters adaptability, encouraging educators to refine their strategies based on empirical findings and community feedback. By embedding action research into their practice, educators cultivate a mindset of continuous improvement and innovation, essential for transforming educational contexts that are complex and ever-evolving.

This graduate-level course equips educators with the knowledge and skills to conduct action research in educational settings. Students will explore the principles and practices of action research as a systematic, reflective approach to improving teaching and learning outcomes. The course covers research design, data collection methods, and analysis techniques specific to classroom and school environments.

Key topics include: Foundations of action research in education Identifying research questions and problems of practice Qualitative and quantitative data collection strategies Collaborative inquiry and participatory research models Ethical considerations in educational research Data analysis and interpretation for actionable insights Implementing and evaluating interventions based on research findings

Through hands-on projects and case studies, students will understand how to develop their own action research proposals addressing real-world educational challenges in their communities. This course empowers educators to become reflective practitioners capable of driving evidence-based improvements in their professional contexts.