ONLINE Mindfulness:Finding Peace in a Frantic World. Mindfulness, Compassion and Wellbeing: Introduction & Intermediate Course. 

20 & 27 May: 3 & 10 June 2020    4-session course
9.15am-12.15pm (London time)       6.15pm-9.15pm (Sydney time)

NSW Education Standards Authority : NESA CODE: TTIntroInter MCW12    NESA STANDARDS:  6.2.2   6.3.2

The first course for teachers in a mindfulness, compassion and wellbeing training pathway.

This beginner’s course is a good starting point for learning the skills and techniques for the development of a personal mindfulness practice for teachers, youth workers and parents.

It is also a pre-requisite for teaching mindfulness to others, as recommended by the Good Practice Guidelines for Teaching Mindfulness-Based Courses.

The course is based on scientific evidence from psychology, education and neuroscience along with the fundamental principles of mindfulness- based cognitive therapy (MBCT); including research with school students and teachers, with adaptations for teachers, youth workers and parents to use for themselves in the classroom and in the home environment. On Day 2 more advanced techniques and activities are practised that can encourage wellbeing and flourishing as well as to help cope with difficulties and stress.

Introduction Course will cover:

• The research evidence behind the mindfulness and compassion program for teachers, youth workers, parents and students.
• The facilities /conditions needed to develop a daily personal mindfulness practice.
• Basic mindfulness techniques – learning the stages of the techniques and trying the techniques for use in school or home environments.
• A personal development program with suggested techniques and activities to learn and to practise each day.

Intermediate course will cover:

• Review and expansion of the basic mindfulness and compassion skills and techniques that participants can use in school or home environments to encourage wellbeing and to use in difficult and stressful situations.
• Learning the stages of new, more advanced, mindfulness and compassion techniques and trying out the techniques for themselves.
• A personal development mindfulness and compassion program with suggested techniques and activities to learn and to practise each day, to help cope with difficulties and stress.
• Consideration of follow-on mindfulness courses that can be used with infant, primary and secondary students with an understanding of the potential for linking these mindfulness courses to the NSW school curriculum.
• A workbook is provided which gives a summary of the mindfulness and compassion practices and techniques, with access to guided audio mindfulness practices, that are provided alongside a textbook: ‘Mindfulness: a practical guide for finding peace in a frantic world’ by Mark Williams and Danny Penman (2011) Piatkus. The cost of the book is included in the course fees.
• It is useful to bring a mat and a cushion, for the activities we will do on the floor.

The course is based on scientific evidence from psychology, education and neuroscience along with the fundamental principles of mindfulness- based cognitive therapy (MBCT); including research with school students and teachers, with adaptations for teachers, youth workers and parents to use for themselves in the classroom and in the home environment. On Day 2 more advanced techniques and activities are practised that can encourage wellbeing and flourishing as well as to help cope with difficulties and stress.

Overall Outcomes of the 4-session Online Course and Personal Development Program for 8 weeks

Teachers will have:

• Updated knowledge and practice of mindfulness, compassion and wellbeing.
• Understanding of how mindfulness, compassion and wellbeing can be developed. professionally within a classroom and school setting.
• Understanding of research evidence that supports mindfulness, compassion and wellbeing training for teachers and students.
• The confidence to practise basic mindfulness techniques and skills in order to use their own mindfulness skills as part of a personal daily practice.
• The confidence to apply their own personal mindfulness and compassion practice in their classroom teaching to support their wellbeing.
• Understanding of the skills and techniques that can be used to engage with colleagues in activities, discussions and feedback to develop an understanding of how personal mindfulness skills can be developed professionally within a classroom and school setting.