A Solution: Mindfulness in Education (K-12)

In response to the concerns of educators and parents about the harmful consequences of the current method of educating young children in this country, we are planning a conference A Solution: Mindfulness in Education. The conference will be in 2006 in the San Francisco Bay Area. The conference will further a conversation among experts in Mindfulness and teachers, parents, administrators and researchers interested in offering the beneficial practice of Mindfulness in educational settings. 

Scientific research and the general media tell us that young children’s lives are increasingly stressful. Narrowly defining the goal of education as training the mind to pass standardized tests and get into college is contributing to this increase in stress. More than two decades of research in adults has proven that practicing mindfulness decreases stress, depression, anxiety, hostility and physical symptoms. Related data demonstrate that reducing children’s stress has a positive effect on their physical health, social relations, academic abilities, and, most importantly, their sense of well being.

During the conference, we will explore the following questions:

• How might our children benefit if they learn the life skill of mindfulness, while they are young?

• If our children are able to experience their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without being overwhelmed, will they be less prone to the unhealthy effects of stress?

• If students learn to access a natural sense of peace and to trust their inner wisdom, will they be less susceptible to harmful peer influences? Will they be less likely to look for relief in potentially risky behaviors?

• Can mindfulness enhance concentration, confidence, self-efficacy, discernment, and compassion?

Our intentions for the conference are to:

• Gather together people passionate about bringing the benefits of mindfulness to school age children, teachers, parents and administrators.

• Discuss the stresses schoolchildren ages 3-18 face.

• Explore how mindfulness can be used to alleviate stress, enhance learning, and nurture compassion for self and others.

• Present the theory, rationale and research regarding the benefits of mindfulness in school settings.

• Offer approaches that have been effective in bringing these practices into school settings.

• Discuss the obstacles and challenges encountered when introducing these practices in school settings.

• Determine next steps for program development and academic research.

• Create a network for ongoing collaboration.

• Establish an annual conference to further this much-needed work.

The following, nationally recognized experts have indicated they are willing to be keynote speakers. 

Jon Kabat- Zinn Ph.D., founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic (now the Center for Mindfulness) at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, author of Full Catastrophe Living, Wherever You Go, There You Are, Everyday Blessings, and Coming to Our Senses.

Saki Santorelli Ed.D. the current director of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care and Society at the university of Massachusetts Medical School , and author of Heal Thy Self.

Daniel Goleman Ph.D., author of Emotional Intelligence, and writer on brain and behavioral sciences for The New York Times.

Mark Greenberg Ph. D., Program Developer of PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Skills), Bennett Chair of Prevention Research, Director, Prevention Research Center, College of Health and Human Development, Penn State University

Denise Clark Pope Ph. D., who wrote the poignant book Doing School

Conference Cost

The cost for the conference will be between $100-150. Financial assistance and housing will be available on a limited basis.

Conference Schedule

The Schedule outline for the conference is as follows:

Friday evening – public talk by Jon Kabat-Zinn Ph.D.

Saturday morning 8:30-11:30 – conference opening, mindfulness practice and framing of the day Saki Santorelli Ed. D.

Saturday late morning 11:30-12:30 PATHS program description, Mark Greenberg Ph.D.

Lunch 12:30-1:30 - from Chez Panise/ Alice Walker who has created a slow food program in the Berkeley schools where the children grown organic food, and prepare and eat it in community.

Saturday afternoon 1:30-4:30 - break out sessions with presenters from working group with sessions on:

For teaching to young children

Susan Kaiser Greenland J.D.- Inner Kids Foundation

Amy Saltzman M.D. – Phillips Brooks School

For teaching to older children

Soren Gordhamer- Project Director Justice Initiative, author Just Say Om

David Frobes- Associate Professor/Program Head Brooklyn college/ CUNY School Counseling Program, author Boys to Buddhas

Thea Strozer- Buddhist Chaplain at the Bay School in San Francisco.

Ivan Hageman- Co-Founder & Head of School East Harlem School at Exodus House

For teaching to teachers

Patricia Jennings Ph.D M.Ed. Margaret Kemeny Ph.D, Margaret Cullen, and Cultivating Emotional Balance UCSF

Maria Napoli Ph.D. Arizona State College of Public Programs School of Social Work

Saturday late afternoon 4:30-5:00 – Closing,  Amy Saltzman M.D.

Your Feedback

Would you come to the conference as described?

Would you bring your colleagues?

How many members of your school community do you think would participate?

Please give the name of you school so we don’t double count.

Would you come to a smaller conference hosted at the Insight Mediation Center?

Would you feel comfortable inviting your colleagues to a conference at a Buddhist Center?

What format and topics would best meet your needs? Support you in your ongoing teaching and growing the program at your school?

What format and topics would most likely entice of your colleagues, who might curious but relatively uniformed about the benefits of mindfulness?

Do you know of individuals or institutions who could offer financial support for the conference?

Do you have suggestions for places to publicize the conference?

Do you have any other suggestions?