Brain Health and Classroom Implications
Mindful Reflection
Part II: Mindfulness Practices—Getting Practical
Breath—A Natural Means to Handle Stress
Practical Exercises
Practical Applications
Mindful Reflection
5 Move and Stretch—Yoga and Meditation Basics
Body Awareness From Sports and Yoga
Yoga in the Classroom
Practical Exercises: Yoga
Meditation—Calming and Quieting Moments of the Mind
Meditation in the Classroom
Practical Exercises: Meditation
Practical Applications
The Impact of Meditation Over Time
Mindful Reflection
6 Mindful Sensation, Presence, and Emotion
Mindfulness: What It Is and What It Does
Considerations as You Begin Mindful Sensation, Presence, and Emotion Exercises in the Classroom
Practical Exercises: Sensation
The Complexity of Emotions for Students Ages Eleven and Older
Considerations Before Practicing Guided Visualizations for Sadness and Disappointment
Practical Exercises
Self-Soothing Behavior and Breath
Repeat, Refocus, Recenter
Reflection After Learning
Natural Integration of Mindfulness in Our Lives Through Practice
Mindful Reflection
Part III: Mindful and Compassionate Classrooms and School Communities
7 Mindful Instruction—Paying Attention to Your Students
Consider Who You Are Teaching
Build Compassion in Classrooms
Practical Exercises
Mindful Reflection
Mind Full Versus Mindful
Mindful Lens in the Classroom
How Our Brains Help Us Learn
Mindful Reflection
9 Mindful Leadership From Within—A New Mindset
Staying the Course of Change
Transforming Schools and Lives as Transformational Change Agents
Showing Fearless Leadership and a Drive for Change
Using Mindfulness as a Tool of Opportunity
Getting to the Heart of the Matter
Facilitating a Collective Community of Shared Vision and Leadership
Understanding the Need to Lead With Courageous Action
Moving Forward
Inspiring Others to Move the Needle of Change
Mindful Reflection
About the Authors
Christine Mason, PhD, an educational psychologist, has over thirty years of experience as a classroom teacher; college professor; educational leader; and researcher; and seventeen years of experience as a yoga, mindfulness, and meditation teacher. She presents experiential workshops for school principals and teachers. Mason is the founder and executive director of the Center for Educational Improvement (CEI), a nonprofit organization whose mission is to uplift schools with teachers and principals who are caring, compassionate, and knowledgeable about learning and teaching. CEI focuses on mindfulness; social-emotional learning; and early childhood science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
An expert in childhood trauma, Mason has experience teaching and developing teacher-mentor and youth dropout prevention programs in high-poverty urban areas. She is the developer of Heart Beaming®, a meditative practice for classroom mind breaks. Her workshops incorporate up-to-date research on brain neuroplasticity, scientific evidence, and practical activities to reduce stress, lessen the impact of trauma, and improve teacher morale and job satisfaction.
Mason has experience as a principal at an international boarding school in India. She served as executive director of research and professional development for the National Association of Elementary School Principals, where she conducted investigations to improve response to intervention, principal knowledge of the Common Core State Standards, and principal mentoring. As a senior scientist in disability education, she led research on quality of life for youth and adults with disabilities. As a senior research associate at the Council for Exceptional Children, she investigated student self-direction, teacher mentoring, and inclusive education. Mason has authored several books and research reports, including books on teacher mentoring and universal design for learning, and research reports on student
