Book summary on “Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness”
Reflecting on Deborah Schoeberlein David's "Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness," I found practical strategies for integrating mindfulness into teaching practices. The book is divided into two parts: Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness, catering to educators at all levels who wish to enhance both their teaching effectiveness and personal well-being through mindfulness. The book follows a teacher from morning to night on a typical school day, at home, during the commute, and before, during, and after class.
Deborah shows teachers how to tune into what's happening, inside and around them, and offers straightforward approaches to training attention and generating caring both in and outside of the classroom. Through this book my own personal familiarity with mindfulness plants the seed for attention, awareness, kindness, empathy, compassion, and gratitude.
The book emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and compassion in teaching. Deborah argues that teachers who practice mindfulness are better equipped to create a positive and supportive learning environment. The book outlines several benefits of mindfulness for teachers, including reduced stress, improved focus, and enhanced relationships with students. Practical strategies for mindful teaching include breath awareness, mindful listening, and emotional awareness.
Integrating mindfulness into schools without approved programs can start with individual teachers taking the initiative to introduce mindfulness practices to their students. Teachers can begin by gaining personal experience with mindfulness to bring heightened attention and awareness into the classroom. This can be done through informal modeling, where teachers demonstrate mindfulness techniques during class periods or homeroom, incorporating short practices before or after activities such as marking attendance or going to lunch. Without the need for formal administrative approval, teachers can create a mindful learning environment that benefits students' concentration and emotional regulation.
Teachers are encouraged to integrate mindfulness into various subjects and daily routines. For example, starting the day with a short mindfulness practice, incorporating mindful breaks during transitions, and using mindfulness techniques during stressful periods like exams. When practicing mindful breathing before starting a lesson, it supports teachers to pay full attention to students to practice active listening and responding thoughtfully. Even when greeting students as they enter the classroom is a mindful act of acknowledging their presence. These type of genuine greetings can support positive outcomes in the classroom
Creating a mindful classroom environment involves fostering a sense of safety, trust, and respect. Schoeberlein David suggests setting clear intentions for mindfulness practices, being consistent, and creating a supportive community where students feel comfortable exploring mindfulness.
Schoeberlein David provides age-appropriate mindfulness activities for different grade levels. For young children, simple breathing exercises, mindful listening games, and guided imagery are recommended. Adolescents can engage in more complex practices such as body scans, mindful movement, and reflective journaling.
Students and parents may initially resist mindfulness practices. The book provides strategies for addressing concerns, such as explaining the scientific benefits of mindfulness, sharing success stories, and gradually introducing mindfulness activities.
She offers methods to develop mindfulness before and after school, and to embody awareness, balance, and compassion into classes. The variety of practices provided can help students relax, focus, and stay motivated across all K-12 levels and various curricula.
I found that this book addresses the needs of educators at different stages, offering practical advice and strategies to improve their teaching practices. Whether new to mindfulness or familiar with its concepts, educators can find useful examples and exercises tailored to different age groups and settings.
My favorite part of the book was encouraging teachers to incorporate mindfulness into their day and classrooms - without the need for extensive formal curricula or administrative programs. By providing methods that enable teachers to take the initiative to foster a mindful environment from the moment they wake up to the moment they say goodbye to their students, teachers don’t have to wait for schools to commit to formal mindful educational sessions.
Do you want to practice mindfulness with other educators? Join our community!
Mindfulness starts with tuning into your circadian rhythm ⏰
