Global Health Pursuit

Episode Shownotes

76. Why Aren't We Teaching Mindfulness in the Classroom? w/ Annamarie Fernyak

In today's rapidly changing educational landscape, where classroom challenges like lockdown drills, information overload, and teacher burnout are increasingly common, one question arises: Why isn't mindfulness a mandatory part of our educational curriculum?

Mindfulness in Education: A Necessary Revolution

As teaching professionals strive to prepare students for a future brimming with uncertainties and stressors, integrating mindfulness into education becomes crucial. Mindfulness practices in classrooms offer viable solutions to teacher burnout, stress management for students, and emotional resilience in schools.

In today's episode, our guest, Annamarie Fernyak, founder of MINDBODYALIGN. shares how she embarked on a mission to introduce mindfulness curriculum for kids after being asked to teach mindfulness in a middle school. This endeavor evolved into a broader mission to enhance how students and educators manage emotions, focus, and resilience.

The Challenge of Introducing Mindfulness to Schools

Implementing mindfulness in education is not without its challenges. Annamarie’s initial experience teaching mindfulness to middle schoolers revealed the stark realities of school environments. Despite an initial idealistic outlook, she found herself facing toxic atmospheres plagued by anxiety-triggering incidents like lockdowns. This environment highlighted the importance of teaching mindfulness and emotional regulation to students. Such practices not only foster emotional resilience in students but are also vital in supporting teachers' mental health.

Teacher Burnout and Classroom Anxiety Solutions

Annamarie learned that the sustainability of mindfulness practices depends heavily on teaching educators first. The benefits of mindfulness for teachers are profound; a self-regulated teacher embodying mindfulness can serve as a powerful role model for students. Classroom mindfulness practices and social emotional learning strategies thus emerge as essential aspects of reducing classroom anxiety and building resilience in students.

Mindfulness Programs as Community Builders

Annamarie emphasizes the community impact of mindfulness education. Her team implemented mindfulness programs in schools, expanding their reach to over 21 classrooms with the onset of COVID-19, which added to the stress and anxiety felt by both students and teachers. Through such programs, students developed self-regulation skills, learned how to manage anxiety, and used mindfulness exercises for students to control their emotions, leading to notable improvements in their mental health and social interactions.

The Role of Family in Supporting Mindfulness Education

Beyond schools, family involvement is pivotal. Parents are encouraged to engage in activities that promote mindfulness and emotional health among children. Simple practices like playing outdoors, hiking, or mindful breathing exercises can significantly bolster a child's emotional wellbeing and provide a foundation of love and attention necessary for stress management.

Mindfulness Books for Children: Resources for Growth

MINDBODYALIGN also offers mindfulness books for children, providing valuable tools for teaching and reinforcing emotional regulation at home and in classrooms. These resources contribute to both immediate and long-term community and individual benefits.

Annamarie's story is a testament to the powerful intersection of community development and mindfulness education. Her insights underscore the importance of investing in students to ensure future generations are well-equipped to handle the challenges of tomorrow.

For educators, parents, and community leaders seeking to foster meaningful change, embracing and promoting mindfulness in education is no longer optional but imperative. The practices and philosophies discussed offer a comprehensive approach to developing healthier minds and more resilient communities.

Resources & Links

 
 

Annamarie Fernyak is the founder and CEO of Mind Body Align. She is a certified life coach, mindfulness meditation teacher, author, and entrepreneur. Annamarie was a guest speaker in a school when she realized how challenging it was for students to pay attention and how the classroom seemed chaotic. Then, she worked with a licensed teacher, artists, and instructional designers to create the Mind Body Align at School program which teaches mindfulness, the missing piece in most social and emotional learning programs. She also developed Mind Body Align at Work, which teaches mindfulness to adults, often as a workplace program. Based in science, the proven benefits of mindfulness include improved relationships, lower reported stress, reduced blood pressure, the alleviation of anxiety and depression, and greater ability to pay focused attention.

Annamarie does not settle for programs that simply help people get through one day at school or at work, she works to transform each and every day of the lives of people of all ages. Through custom educational programs and the Align Mindfulness app, Annamarie guides others in bringing attention to what’s happening in the world and to build well-rounded mindfulness muscles for happier, healthier, and more satisfying lives.

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