Welcome to our Mindful Learning Forum where Educators can find information about incorporating mindfulness in the classroom and contemplative practices into curriculum.

Mindful Learning–Mindfulness in the Classroom

The Mindful Learning program, offered through the Mindfulness at Ramapo College of New Jersey, provides  faculty with the opportunity to expand their understanding of how mindfulness practices can be concretely applied to classroom pedagogy. The program is offered to faculty who are interested in learning more about the scholarship and science of mindfulness.  It is equally open to faculty who have established personal practices as well as those who are new to mindfulness, have an interest in learning a mindful practice, and would wish to apply this practice to their professional development and classroom pedagogy. Teachers learn mindfulness exercises and  can create redesigned course syllabi that apply the principles of contemplative teaching to increase student wellness and learning.

Also, see our research and links page for more information.

  “Education isn’t just about imparting knowledge; it’s about imparting wisdom. It isn’t only about critical thought and intellectual achievement; it is also about developing personal and social skills with an integrated depth of experience enabling our students to transform into active, engaged, compassionate citizens of a diverse world.’- David Germano

Mindful Learning for Educators workshop: Free mindfulness in education workshop offered to local Middle and high school faculty and staff.

Thursday, April 7, 2016
4-6pm
Anisfield School of Business room 420

This workshop is open to middle and high school faculty and staff who are interested in learning more about how to incorporate Contemplative Studies and Mindfulness into their classroom.  .This workshop provides teachers of grades 6-12 with the opportunity to expand their understanding of mindfulness practices.  The workshop will address teachers’ personal practices as well as introduce hands-on strategies for use in the classroom.  The workshop will include a short introduction to the “.b” Mindfulness in Schools Program (mISP) curriculum.   Presented by Jim Morley Ph.D. Professor of Clinical Psychology and Carol Bowman Ed.D. Associate Professor of Education with guest presenter, Joe Kiely, Northern Highlands High School.

Teachers will receive 3 hours professional development credit hours for their participation.

For disability-related accommodations or any questions, please contact mindfulness@ramapo.edu.  In case of inclement weather, please check www.ramapo.edu/mindfulness

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Mindfulness in Schools Project: 4-day Intensive Teacher Curriculum Training

July 6-10, 2016  Four day intensive Training        

July 6 registration begins at 3:30pm
Trustees Pavilion

Presented by the Mindfulness at Ramapo College of New Jersey

 Trainers Ted DesMaisons, Charisse Minerva Spencer & others 

This mindfulness in education workshop is being offered to local high schools and middle schools, as well as other educators from around the country.

Learn the lessons in real-time, explore the pedagogy of the .b curriculum and share our experiences of teaching .b in the classroom in a nourishing, restful, retreat-like atmosphere.  Participants will also have the opportunity to practice teaching  the key exercises to one another, in order to leave feeling confident and empowered to teach the curriculum to young people aged 11-18.

What is .b ?

.b is a fun, engaging and useful ten-session mindfulness course for young people, adapted from the adult courses Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy. It has been evaluated positively by the University of Cambridge and Oxford Brookes, and can be used in a wide range of contexts and age ranges.

What makes .b distinctive?

.b was carefully crafted by classroom teachers to engage everyone, including the most cynical of student audiences. It is taught with striking visuals, film clips and activities that bring mindfulness to life without losing the expertise and integrity of classic mindfulness teaching.

Who can teach .b?

.b must be taught by teachers who themselves practice mindfulness regularly. An adult 8-week MBSR is a good start, followed by 6 months of developing a minimum daily practice of at least 20 minutes. Then, sign up for the Teach .b Certification Course, which gives the skills, confidence and materials to teach .b effectively to young people. See http://mindfulnessinschools.org/ for more information.

NOTE PREREQUISITES: 8 week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course or Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) course or equivalent.  6 months of developing your practice after MBSR or MBCT course.

What is the cost?

The course fee is $995 commuter rate, $1245 residential rate (shared room), $1345 residential rate (single room). For more detailed information, please visit http://mindfulnessinschools.org/register/teach/new-jersey-course-july/

What is the schedule?

We will start with registration, a light welcome dinner, and an evening orientation on Wednesday, the 6th of July and share our last lunch on Sunday, the 10th. Most training days will start with a period of sitting at 8:00am and conclude at 5:30pm before we share dinner; registration will begin at 3:30pm on Wednesday afternoon and our final day will conclude by 3:00 pm. Please note: participants who want full certification must attend each lesson and stay through our final session.

We will demonstrate the lessons in real-time, explore the pedagogy of the .b curriculum, and share our experience of teaching .b in the classroom, alongside supporting a nourishing, restful, retreat ‘feel’ to the course. Participants will also have the opportunity to practice teaching the key exercises to one another, in order to leave feeling confident and empowered to teach the curriculum to young people aged 11-18.

Candidates who meet the Prerequisites for training and agree to the Terms & Conditions are very welcome to Click here to register or for more information about .b mindfulness.

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Author and speaker Kailen Krame will come to your school to discuss mindfulness and other tools for “Putting it in Perspective.”

Put it in Perspective: A Teen’s Guide to Sanity is a “pocket-guide” to happiness intended to help fellow teenagers effectively deal with the rigors of adolescence. This book encourages readers to put stressful situations in perspective by using helpful tools such as mindfulness and positive self-talk, and explores five important qualities for maintaining sanity throughout the teenage years.

To book Kailen to present at  your school or organization, please email mindfulness@ramapo.edu.

 

For more informant about booking Kailen for your organization please email mindfulness@ramapo.edu

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TEDxBlue – Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. – 10/18/09

Dr. Daniel Siegel explores the neural mechanisms beneath social and emotional intelligence
and how these can be cultivated through reflective practices that focus on the inner nature
of the mind.

Daniel is a child psychiatrist, educator, and author of Mindsight, The Mindful Brain,
Parenting from the Inside Out, and The Developing Mind.

ways to incorporate contemplative and mindfulness practices into your classroom-LINKS FOR SAMPLE SYLLABI

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 Quotes from  Ramapo students on Mindfulness in the Classroom

First Year Mindfulness Seminars

The Color of Silence taught by Shalom Gorewitz.

I have had a breakthrough!! Never before have I dealt with my anxiety and restlessness in a more constructive way then I have through this semester. When situations arose where I felt uneasy, I would think about the things you said during meditation time You told us to welcome thoughts, all kinds and not to shut your mind off to them. By taking a difficult situation, closing my eyes, relaxing and letting in all my negative thoughts, I was able to sort through them in an appreciative manner and resolve my issues in a stress-free way.

-Kristina Savarese

“We did a myriad of activities and exercises to open ourselves up to the world and the people around us. Maria encouraged us to be confident and open to the new ways we were moving our bodies even if it was out of our comfort zone. She reiterated the phrase, “nothing is too small to notice,” many times throughout her two visits to the class. This phrase really opened my eyes to the little details that many people ignore everyday…I’ve also found myself enjoying the details of nature more too. I’ve realized the beauty and serenity of the world and how much it has to offer to us. I’ve also realized how important it is to be confident with myself and proud of where I come from and where I want my life to go. “

-Carly Jones

Meditation describes a state of consciousness. It is an approach to training the mind similar to the way that fitness is an approach to train the body. With regular practice, it promotes new behaviors. Meditation makes you feel calmer and more focused. It increases creativity, sharpens the mind, decreases levels of frustration and promotes clarity and peace of mind…

-Kelly Nichirco

 

Keep checking back for more information and sign ups.