‘Mindfulness Skills For Teachers” with Peter Montminy, Ph.D. CLASS 1: Mindfulness ~ What It is, Why It Matters, and How to Begin an expression of friendly or respectful regards.] Greetings Opening “Mindful Minute” What do (did) you notice? (Good to know!) How do you feel, right now? Setting Our Intentions Poem: “Clearing” by Martha Postlewaite Activity: Why are you here? {Pair Share: “The 5 Whys”] What do you intend to get out of being here? Objectives: To understand the ways in which chronic stress affects your teaching and how mindfulness can help reduce work and life stress, build resiliency, and improve student-teacher interactions. To develop mindfulness skills that promote self-awareness, self- regulation, and self-care as cornerstones to effective, sustainable teaching practices. To implement daily mindfulness practices in your life and your classroom that will enhance the quality of both. Topic Talk WHAT is Mindfulness? [See Mindfulness Is... by Peter Montminy] Mindfulness = Paying Attention... On Purpose Conscious Awareness Tothe Present Moment Here and Now (Inside and Out) Without Judgment With Kindness and Curiosityifulness For Teachers” ~ SCASD Fall 2015 with Peter Montminy, Ph.D. CLASS 3: Reducing Teacher Stress “Tve come to a frightening conclusion that 1am the decisive element in the classroom. It's my personal approach that creates the climate. It's my daily mood that makes the weather. As a teacher, I possess a tremendous power to make a child's life miserable or joyous. Tan be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. Ian humiliate or heal. Inall situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis will be escalated or de-escalated and a child humanized or dehumanized.” - Haim Ginott GUIDED PRACTICE: Anchor Breathing BOOK REVIEW: Chapter 3 - Understanding Your Negative Emotions TOPIC TALK: 1 Your Automatic Stress Response Stress = Stimulation or strain, pressure. Yerkes-Dodson Law: Suress Performance Connection resee res aoe:“Mindfulness For Teachers” — SCASD Fall 2015 with Peter Montminy, Ph.D. CLASS 4: Building Student Success He was a child who never grew up. He was the best part of a human being — The innocent part that can see things with wonder. He was beautiful, like a naked child dancing around free-form Because of joy, because the world is music to dance to, Because other people are delights to laugh with and play with. And he had in him that wonderful vision that made him see in others the Beauty Part, the Good Part, the Happy Part. From A Gift of Laughter by Allan Sherman GUIDED PRACTICE: Mindful Movements BOOK REVIEW: Chapter 4— The Power of Positivity TOPIC TALK: 4.1 The Power of Positivity Negative Emotions Contract and Constrict (Close) “Fight or Flight” Release and Expand (Open) “Broaden and Build” Broaden our Awareness Wider visual and attentional field ~ global perspective Increases perspective-taking, decrease biases Increases trust and openness to others More attentive to needs of those around you Strengthens social bonds, broadens social opportunities Build our Resources Improves physical health (immune system, circulatory system) Improves mental health (optimism, resilience, life satisfaction)