WELCOME

Mindfulness in SchoolsImproving Well Being and Reducing Stress for Students and Teachers

By Sheila Lamb, LCSW

Agenda

• Stress and Its Impact on Students and Teachers.• What is Mindfulness?• Research on Mindfulness.• Research on Mindfulness in Schools.• Teaching Mindfulness in LAUSD Schools.• Mindful Schools Training Program.• Mindful Practices.• Audience Questions.

Mindfulness Exercise

Stress

Stress

Definition –”Internal or external conditions that push the state of an individual away from equilibrium or balance.” Dr. Daniel Siegel

Stress Impacts

• Stress Markers• Physical• Emotional• Mental

• Teachers• Students• Popular Stress Reduction Strategies

Well Being

Mindfulness

Definition: Paying attention to the present moment, on purpose, without judgement.

Jon Kabat-Zinn 1994

Mindfulness

History• Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn • Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction• Chronic Pain • Medicine/Mental Health• Community Programs• Corporations• Schools

How Does Mindfulness Impact Stress and Well Being?

What Does the Research Tell Us?

Research on Mindfulness

Stress Reduction

Attentional Stability

Emotion Regulation

Empathy Development

Mindfulness Exercise

Research – Programs in Schools

• Improved Classroom Behavior• Enhanced Ability to Pay Attention• Effective in Reducing Depressive

Symptoms/Enhanced Emotional Coping• Improved School Climate• Improved School Functioning

Teaching Mindfulness at Avalon Continuation High School

Student-Community Demographics Starting the Program What We Teach Becoming a Mindful School What Students and Teachers Say About

Mindfulness

Mindful Schools Training Program

Modeled after Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction

Courses: Mindfulness Fundamentals and Curriculum Training

Online or In Person Workshops

Highlights

Mindful Schools has Taught Over 14,000 Students and 2,500 Adults

Research on the Mindful Schools Program Suggests Improvement in Executive Attention and Emotional Regulation

References

Davidson, R. investigatinghealthyminds.org Greater Good Science Center,

greatergood.berkeley.edu Kabat-Zinn, J. (1990). Full Catastrophe

Living. New York:Dell Siegel, Dan J. (2007). The Mindful Brain.

New York: W.W. Norton and Company

Thank You