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Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness: A Guide for Anyone Who Teaches Anything

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Even educators with well established mindfulness practices can find it a challenge to maintain mindfulness at work. What might mindful teaching look like? What can one do to support it? Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness: A Guide for Anyone Who Teaches Anything by Deborah Schoeberlein (Wisdom Publications, available in early September) answers these questions. It's an important new resource for all teachers, regardless of their previous experience with mindfulness practice. In her book, Schoeberlein paints a detailed picture of a day in the life of a mindful teacher. The day begins with waking up to mindful breathing and setting an intention. It ends that night with meditating on one's satisfaction with the day. In between, there are many informal practices, described by Schoeberlein, which teachers can use throughout the school day, on their own or in their interactions with students. These descriptions aren't a prescription for mindful teaching. Rather, they provide examples that can inspire teachers to find ways to infuse their days with mindfulness that work for them.

Teaching mindfully is already a great gift to students. It's where many teachers might stop, not feeling that teaching mindfulness practices to their students is possible in their situation. However, mindful teaching changes classroom environments, creating new opportunities. Further, Schoeberlein's many examples of ways to teach mindfulness can suggest possibilities for such teaching even with what might seem to be the most challenging student populations and curricula. Schoeberlein gives formal instructions for each student mindfulness activity. However, as with her informal teacher practices and with the approaches described in my book, Tuning In: Mindfulness in Teaching and Learning, these examples best serve to inspire teachers to develop approaches that fit their specific situations.

I found this book to be appropriate for all teachers and students no matter the extent of experience with mindfulness practice. I was a first grade teacher before I was a university professor. I began my mindfulness meditation practice in 1996 while I was still a first grade teacher. As I read this book, I found myself thinking that the information was as relevant for my former first grade students as it is for my university students today. I also thought how blessed it would have been for both me and my first grade students if this book had been available to me then. I am delighted to have access to so many mindfulness practice activities for the classroom between the same two covers. I imagine it as my ready companion as I plan my mindfulness course activities each week this year. ...sharon solloway
Solloway Mindfulness Survey (free teacher resource) [...]

All I can say is WOW! The author has managed to take a subject which can seem a bit daunting and make it accessible, understandable, and usable. Her use of first hand experiences makes this material come to life, I for one can't wait to use it in my classrooms this fall. Any teacher or really any parent should grab a copy, and give these techniques a try.

Deborah Schoeberlein takes the reader through this journey with humor and instructive insight. Her stepwise instructions are practical and applicable. One can feel her calm spirit from the start. We are guided in such a way as to lift the topic from the one dimensional onward, to touch all the senses.

As a mindfulness mentor in two local school districts, I was delighted to find Deborah's book which provides such succinct, yet complete methods teachers can use to develop mindfulness in their own lives, both before and after school and then to embody its awareness, balance and compassion in their classes. The book gives a variety of practices to use with students, which will be of much help in relaxing, focusing and motivating them at any K-12 level and in any curriculum. It is the only book so far that seems to address all of these needs in a very user friendly, yet deep and caring way.

As an educator with over 30 years of teaching experience at all levels, I look forward to using it in two local school districts as well as in other organizations here in the Modesto, California, area.

This book brings back the joys and passion of teaching and the wonderment of learning, a two way street for both the teacher and the student. In this new age, one of the many frustrations of teaching is that teachers do not see the stamina, perseverance and desire in many students to sustain learning. Using the techniques in this guide will make both teachers and students life-long learners. Finally, a book that really concentrates on teaching as a craft and as something that is most precious. Thank you,Deborah. I intend to share copies with my English Department at my school this September.

Deborah Schoeberlein has found just the right way to write about what she knows and what she wants her readers to know. Her book is clearly written --inviting and expansive.There is much to learn--and so many ways to go about learning--by exploring this concise study.Mindfulness is a vast subject that, at its best, involves teaching others and oneself.

The lessons this book has to offer are simple and easy to relate to yet important enough to affect the way you choose to live your life. Everyone can benefit from this!

This a lovely book that explores a new (though in some ways very old) approach to educating the whole child, both mind and heart. Relevant for all educators who seek to teach with greater ease and effectiveness. Highly recommended!

The ideas in this book have allowed me to deal with situation far more successfully from sports coaching to within my own staff. Truly a great read!

CP