Mindful Education Program

In Partnership With

WORLD-CLASS FACULTY

We have gathered the foremost leaders in mindfulness and education, including neuroscience researchers, mindfulness experts, and the teachers, principals, and administrators who are making it happen in schools.

Patricia Jennings, PhD

Professor of Education, Curry School of Education, UVA

Kevelin Jones

Principal, Doyle Ryder Elementary in Flint, Michigan

Amishi Jha, PhD

Director, Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative

Kristin Neff, PhD

Pioneering Self-Compassion Researcher, Author, Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

Richard Davidson, PhD

Founder, Center for Healthy Minds

Lisa Flook, PhD, MA

Researcher, Children's Stress and Mindfulness Interventions

Linda Lantieri, MA

Author, Co-founder, Transformative Educational Leadership

Dan Siegel, PhD

Director, Mindsight Institute, NYT Best-selling Author

See Full List of Speakers →

Learn Evidence-Based Practices to Improve Classroom Management, Support Teacher Well-Being and Nurture Children’s Emotional Needs

Sample Presentations

Practice Challenge: Find Calm in Your Body

Learn how to calm your body and nervous system at any moment using this simple breathing practice.

Mindful Game for Kids: Settle the Mind

Explore 2 different methods to calm the mind and calm your classroom with Mindful Games author Susan Kaiser Greenland.

Mindfulness for Teachers: The Science and Practice

Hear what’s new and exciting in the research around mindfulness in education and see how mindfulness-based curriculum supports initiatives such as social-emotional learning programs
Learn the 3 critical elements you need in mindfulness training and explore the research findings on how classroom mindfulness leads to better learning and student engagement
Follow along in a short practice you can do anywhere, at any time, alone or with your students, to cultivate calm and focus

The Science of Mindfulness and Attention

Learn the 3 main systems of attention, and hear how the strengths and vulnerabilities of each show up in the modern learning environment
Explore the common challenges to focused attention, and understand how mindfulness can be a consistent tool for combating them
Follow along in a mindful breathing exercise and learn how this and other mindfulness practices train each system of attention

Learn From 30+ Leading Neuroscience Researchers, Mindfulness Experts and Dedicated Educators at the Forefront of Mindfulness in Education

UNIT 1: Calm & Harnessing Emotional Regulation

Patricia Jennings, PhD

Professor of Education, Curry School of Education, UVA

Mindfulness for Teachers: The Science and Practice

Hear what’s new and exciting in the research around mindfulness in education and see how mindfulness-based curriculum supports initiatives such as social-emotional learning programs
Learn the 3 critical elements you need in mindfulness training and explore the research findings on how classroom mindfulness leads to better learning and student engagement
Follow along in a short practice you can do anywhere, at any time, alone or with your students, to cultivate calm and focus

Kevelin Jones

Principal, Doyle Ryder Elementary in Flint, Michigan

Creating a Mindful Culture

Hear how the water crisis in Flint, Michigan set the stage for mindfulness to have huge impacts on students, schools, families, and the entire community
Learn the steps that Doyle-Ryder Elementary took to introduce mindfulness school-wide, and learn how it’s empowered students to stay calm and take responsibility for themselves
Understand the importance of creating a mindful environment over just “doing mindfulness”

Dan Siegel, PhD

Director, Mindsight Institute, NYT Best-selling Author

Beginning with an Integrative Classroom

Learn practical tips for how you can communicate with students so that they feel heard and safe, even when a child is experiencing emotional disregulation
Dive into what the mind and emotions actually are, and understand what you can do to help kids cultivate the 5 qualities of integration
Explore the 3 components of mind training that can lead to longer, happier lives, and learn the benefits of starting mindfulness with yourself

Meena Srinivasan

Executive Director, Transformative Educational Leadership (TEL)

Justice, Mindfulness, and Interbeing

Explore how justice, mindfulness, and "interbeing" create the groundwork for systemic transformation, and learn small shifts that you can make today to bring change in your life
Understand the import role that mindful leadership plays in healthy systems, and learn the foundations of leading for belonging
Follow along in a simple guided practice to connect with your body and become aware of your breath, and hear practical tips for bringing mindfulness into your school district

David Treleaven, PhD

Author, Leader, Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness Community

Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness in Education

Hear 3 myths about the relationship between trauma and mindfulness, and learn what you can do avoid the common pitfalls of each
Understand why it’s vital to present mindfulness to your students in a way that takes each child’s history and experiences into account
Learn how to recognize non-verbal signs of trauma and take away modifications you can offer for those experiencing challenges in mindfulness

Linda Lantieri, MA

Author, Co-founder, Transformative Educational Leadership

Connecting SEL and Mindfulness

Learn about the relationship between Social Emotional Learning and mindfulness and how the two can compliment and enhance each other and your work
Understand the importance of adults embodying SEL and mindfulness skills before it can make a change with students
Hear insights and practical tips from a longtime field leader on how to integrate mindfulness and SEL skillfully when bringing initiatives into a school setting

UNIT 2: Attention & Creating Presence in the Classroom

Amishi Jha, PhD

Director, Contemplative Neuroscience for the Mindfulness Research and Practice Initiative

The Science of Mindfulness and Attention

Learn the 3 main systems of attention, and hear how the strengths and vulnerabilities of each show up in the modern learning environment
Explore the common challenges to focused attention, and understand how mindfulness can be a consistent tool for combating them
Follow along in a mindful breathing exercise and learn how this and other mindfulness practices train each system of attention

Alan Brown, Cornell Carelock, Kory O'Rourke, and Megan Sweet

Teachers Panel from Mindful Schools

What is a Mindful Classroom?

Hear from 4 different educators from Mindful Schools about the power in resourcing themselves with a strong mindfulness practice
Learn simple practices that you can bring into any classroom, and explore the differences between “doing mindfulness” and “being mindful”
Hear practical advice for approaching the biggest challenges you might face as you introduce mindfulness to students

Bidyut Bose, PhD

Founder and Executive Director, Niroga Institute

Developing Trauma-Informed Schools with Dynamic Mindfulness

Learn the 3 elements and benefits of dynamic mindfulness in contrast to a static mindfulness practice
Hear the impacts of stress, trauma, and trauma-informed mindfulness on teaching, learning, attention, and the brain
Explore mindful movement as an integrated, whole-being practice for healing and learn a simple embodied practice that you and your students can do today

Caverly Morgan

Founder and Guiding Teacher, Peace in Schools

Peace in Schools: Creating Supportive Spaces for High School Students

Hear about the components, challenges, and successes of the country’s first semester-long for-credit mindfulness course for high school students through Peace in Schools
Learn what the initial research and experiential accounts are saying about teenagers who are being exposed to 70+ hours of mindfulness training during the school year
Understand the importance of facilitator and teacher training and when creating supportive educational spaces for young people

Vicki Zakrzewski, PhD

Education Director, Greater Good Science Center

Developing the Whole Person with Mindfulness

Learn how Social-Emotional Learning, mindfulness, and ethical development all work together to encourage prosocial, whole-person development in young people
Understand why we need to bring a cultural lens to mindfulness initiatives in classrooms, and learn practical ways to build relationships with the parents and community in your school network
Discover the new resources that Greater Good Science Center is bringing to education professionals and what you can get started with now

UNIT 3: Resilience & Working with Emotions

Richard Davidson, PhD

Founder, Center for Healthy Minds

The Science of Resilience

Explore the 4 pillars of well-being, and hear how a mindfulness practice can help you be more resilient and effective in the classroom
Learn about the unique qualities of the adolescent brain, and understand how mindfulness can have a positive impact on a child's development when its taught at an early age
Follow along in a guided practice to anchor yourself in the present moment and regulate your emotions in a healthier way

Crystal McCreary

Yoga and Mindfulness Teacher for Youth

Starting with You: Mindfulness for Teacher Self-Care

Learn why the best thing you can do to support your students is to take care of yourself first
Hear how classrooms that foster compassion and inquiry lead to more academic learning
Follow along in an embodied mindfulness practice to bring you to the moment right now

Kristin Neff, PhD

Pioneering Self-Compassion Researcher, Author, Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself

Building Resilience with Self-Compassion

Learn the 3 components of self-compassion, and how treating yourself with warmth models it for students
Hear practical tips and tools for teaching self-compassion and learn how that strengthens resilience
Explore the connection between compassion, interpersonal relationships, and social-emotional learning, and follow along in a self-compassion practice to experience it in this moment

Patrick Tolan, PhD

Lead Researcher, Compassionate Schools Project

Compassionate Schools Project: Research for Student Well-Being

Learn how the Compassionate Schools Project is testing out a curriculum that focuses on a child’s whole being, from mindfulness and compassion to physical health and wellbeing, and see how it’s affecting the students
Hear about the ripple effect that happens when even a single person begins a mindfulness practice
Explore some of the biggest resistance points for many teachers and parents when it comes to mindfulness in education, and how to work with them to build a community that’s ready for mindfulness

Kathy Flynn-Somerville, EdD

Teacher on Special Assignment, SEL and Mindfulness in Pittsburgh Public Schools

Classroom Mindfulness in Action

Learn how Kathy is implementing mindfulness programming throughout her district of 50+ schools, and hear about the students feedback
Understand the ground-level challenges of introducing mindfulness to public schools, and hear practical advice for overcoming them
Take away a short and simple guided practice that you can use today to help you and your students pause and arrive in the classroom

UNIT 4: Compassion & Connection in Schools

Ali Smith

Co-founder of Holistic Life Foundation

Mindfulness for Transformative School Culture

Discover how mindfulness practice can serve as an alternative to discipline in schools, and the incredible impacts its having on suspension rates in Baltimore schools
Learn practical insights for bringing mindfulness, movement, and self-care into schools, and why connection and compassion are keys to making it stick
Hear how Holistic Life Foundation is empowering students from elementary to undergraduate, and the impacts mindfulness can have as it ripples out to communities

Kim Schonert-Reichl, PhD

Developmental Psychologist, Expert, SEL research for children and adolescents

Educating the Heart: Social Emotional Learning for Creating Connection

Learn what the 5 competencies of Social Emotional Learning are and how they can be intentionally incorporated into educational curriculum
Hear why SEL is necessary to promote positive qualities like empathy, compassion and resilience, and why it belongs in schools as secular characteristics to develop in every student
Understand how mindfulness can mitigate stress in learning environments and grow compassion and connection among students and staff

Eve Ekman, PhD, MSW

Director of Training, Greater Good Science Center

Flourishing Empathy: Fostering Empathy that Leads to Compassion

Learn the importance of introducing compassion early on into the lives of young people, and more importantly the necessity of having compassion for yourself in a serving role for kids
Understand what empathy fatigue is and how to cultivate a well of compassion to prevent burnout
Go beyond labeling emotions as "positive" or "negative" and explore emotion as a process that helps us do what we need to do next

Sam Himelstein, PhD

Psychologist, Author, President, Center for Adolescent Studies

Compassion, Connection, and Trauma-Informed Mindfulness for Adolescents

Learn how mindfulness helps adolescents access their inner wisdom as they are transitioning from childhood to adulthood
Take away 4 intentional practices that you can use to build open, trusting, and authentic relationships with any teenager you work with, and hear the most common pitfalls to avoid when presenting mindfulness to youth who have experienced trauma
Learn the TAP practice, a tool you can use in situations with difficult teen so that you can stay present and be of service to them

Jill Merolla

Educator and District Administrator

Social-Emotional Learning in Action

Hear how Jill’s school district has been implementing a mindfulness and social-emotional learning program system-wide for 10 years ago and learn the impacts its having now
Explore mindfulness and social-emotional learning as tools to bring humanity back into data-driven education
Learn how students who are trained in mindfulness and social-emotional learning are setting a precedent for their entire community

UNIT 5: Transforming Culture & Creating Lasting Change

Lisa Flook, PhD, MA

Researcher, Children's Stress and Mindfulness Interventions

Mindfulness and Equity in Schools

Learn why schools are like an ecosystem, and know the importance of community participation when it comes to mindfulness initiatives in schools
Hear ideas for creating equitable, accessible, and culturally responsive mindfulness programs for young people
Learn the relational aspects of the classroom that schools can cultivate so that they can develop the “whole child” who thrives in academics and beyond

Argos S. González

Teacher, Educational Consultant, Mindfulness and Yoga Instructor

Mindfulness as the Foundation for Change

Learn simple practices that you can use to teach kids of different ages
Hear small things that you can do to make your mindful teaching more culturally-responsive and representative, and understand how to set the stage for real transformation
Follow along in a guided practice to simply be where you are and stay present for difficult and important conversations

Oscar Medina

Meditation Educator, Purpose Guide, Somatic Counselor

Integrating Mind and Body for Youth

Explore some of the biggest challenges to mindful education and what you can do to be a more skillful facilitator
Learn the impact of mind-body awareness practices for youth and how to make them accessible for all students
Learn what culturally-informed mindfulness is, and understand why it’s important to start with a deep understanding of those who you are trying to serve

Barnaby Spring

Director of Mindfulness in Education, New York City Department of Education

Breathing, Feeling, Healing

Learn the components of system-wide mindfulness in schools from the Director of Mindfulness in Education at the New York City Department of Education, and hear practical “north stars” to follow when developing your mindful education program
Understand the importance of leadership buy-in and a culturally responsive approach when introducing new programs and trainings into schools
Hear how practicing mindfulness together creates a space for colleagues to have an authentic dialogue around challenging systemic issues

Jessica Morey

Executive Director, Inward Bound Mindfulness Education

Accessible Mindfulness for Teens

Hear from IBME’s executive director on the the impact of deep dive meditation retreats for teens, and learn the biggest challenges to adolescent buy-in to mindfulness practice
Learn the practical benefits of developing insights around common humanity and self-acceptance
Explore diversity, justice, and accessibility in mindfulness and meditation, and think about the dialogues that can happen when each person feels safe

Additional Benefits

Continuing Education

You’ll receive a FREE formal Certificate of Completion to log up to 15 professional development hours. For many districts and other professions (but not all), this may be all the documentation you need for Continuing Education hours.

For Educators: You also have the option to pay $99 to Courses4Teachers/University of Pacific to receive 1 graduate-level university credit (15 hours) and an official transcript. This may be useful if you are seeking salary advancement or need university credit to renew credentials.
For Other Professionals: You have the option to pay just $40 to receive 15 CE credits from your certifying body in order to meet licensure requirements. This is quite a cost-effective CE offering.

Guided Practice Library

The Resource Package includes a library of all the guided meditations and reflections from the event. These daily practices and reminders are made available in downloadable video and audio format for easy on-the-go access. Additional guided meditations from The Awake Network and Mindful on finding your center, working with strong emotions, cultivating self-compassion and more are included as well.

Mindful Games for Kids

Have permanent access to all 5 Daily Mindful Games from the summit to introduce mindfulness to your kids with Susan Kaiser Greenland.

Mindful Living Series

Have permanent access to all 5 Daily Practices from the summit, and go further with Dr. Rick Hanson in a 7-Day Mindful Living Series from The Awake Network.

Calm Your Mind Series

Explore how to ground yourself and return to the present at any moment, in this 4-part series from Mindful with Dr. Zindel Segal.

Daily Practice Deep Dive

Learn two essential practices with mindful educator, Rona Wilensky, that you can easily integrate into your day for moments of pause.

Over 54,000 Educators!

"This was an amazing opportunity to grow my professional and personal mindfulness practice. I truly enjoyed watching so many of the lessons. I am looking forward to continuing to share my passion regarding mindfulness with my students."

- Susana C

"I also educate mindfulness in schools in Sweden and I really enjoyed many of the guided meditations and interview sessions. It is always a good feeling to get more input and a feeling of togetherness and part of a community. Even as far away as Sweden. I really got the feeling that within the school there will be a change of attitude of going to more attendance and compassion to create a more harmonious school environment for learning and friendship. Many thanks for this summit."

- Jenny T.

"I feel I have benefited from the speakers and resources greatly. I am supporting other teachers in employing mindful practices in their classrooms. I am using mindful activities for myself as an educator and allowing worry to wait, breathing, and remembering to pet my lizard, feed my mouse, and hug my monkey. So much value in this summit!"

- Melissa C.

"It was such an amazing experience. This is the first time participating Mindful Education summit. I am really impressed for the passion that all speakers of this summit have shown in sharing the knowledge and their experience. Dr. Siegel inspires me to practise Mindfulness in the classroom and to continue to gain more skills in this field."

- Angela M.

"As an EdD student who has very limited experience in K-12 education, this summit has provided bountiful insights to me. I am currently researching and developing a new martial arts inspired SEL program for elementary schools. Dr. Kathy Flynn-Somerville's experience of starting Mindfulness with the Pittsburgh Public Schools has been an inspiration. Her story has helped me understand potential problems I can expect to encounter. Last but not least, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Greenland's short videos have shared new teaching approaches that I can immediately apply at work."

- William K.

"I am a teacher of Mindfulness and I work with teenagers who are at risk of falling out of school. I've received a lot from this summit about transforming our whole school culture into a mindful way of being for ALL who are in our centre."

- Catherine M.

Produced by

The Awake Network specializes in curated online events that truly impact your life. Every year we put our energy into a few quality online conferences on topics that matter. We provide talks about what you want to know about mindfulness, meditation and living a good life. Learn more about The Awake Network here.

Mindful is the most respected and trusted source of mindfulness information, advice, and instruction—and the voice of the emerging mindfulness community. Through our bimonthly print magazine, robust website, and social channels, we provide insight, information, and inspiration to help us all live more mindfully.Our media platforms, and our projects and partnerships throughout the field, fall under the auspices of the Foundation for a Mindful Society, a mission-driven non-profit dedicated to inspiring, guiding, and connecting anyone who wants to explore mindfulness—to enjoy better health, more caring relationships, and a more compassionate society. Learn more about Mindful here.