Discussions

Your Name and Title:
Theo Koffler, Founder & Senior Facilitator

School or Organization Name:
Mindfulness Without Borders

Co-Presenter Name(s):

Leah Gardiner, Director of Partner Relations & Senior Facilitator, Mindfulness Without Borders

Area of the World from Which You Will Present:

Toronto, Canada

Language in Which You Will Present:
English

Target Audience(s):

Educators working with teens 14-19

Short Session Description (one line):

Join us for an exploration of the key social & emotional competencies and secular mindfulness practices that advance social and emotional health in youth – leading them to a more kind and compassionate understanding of the world.

Full Session Description (as long as you would like):

Advancing global awareness and inspiring action towards solving real–world problems is possible when individuals employ essential life and relationship skills. The ability to listen deeply, be open and curious to different cultures, appreciate diverse opinions and communicate skillfully are all part of the equation. By strengthening social and emotional competencies, such as perspective-taking, responsible decision-making, healthy relationship building, goal‐setting, and self-regulation, individuals can become effective collaborators and leaders that shape a safe, just and sustainable world. This is especially true for young adults transitioning from high school to living and working in today's complex and volatile world. In order to transition into compassionate and conscientious adults, they need a firm grounding in social emotional intelligence, stress management and critical thinking skills with a focus on a growth mindset – to learn and appreciate the world that surrounds them, bounce back from adversity, and to effectively navigate the ups and downs of everyday life. 

The primary goal of this e-presentation is to share different strategies that will help students discover and appreciate their unique qualities, foster more authentic connections, value diversity and promote a compassionate understanding of the world that surrounds them. Led by Mindfulness Without Border’s Faculty Theo Koffler and Leah Gardiner, the workshop will demonstrate the power of social and emotional learning and secular mindfulness practices have in cultivating a more compassionate, responsible and well-rounded student with a global mindset. Participants will receive sample lesson plans, activities and mindfulness practices and podcasts for their personal and professional settings. 

Throughout the workshop, participants will also have the opportunity to ask questions, discuss specific interests and receive customized feedback. Ultimately, it is our hope that participants will walk away with skills and practices that allow them to implement aspects of our educational program in their own settings.

Mindfulness Without Borders has been working for over a decade, helping youth across the globe build a repertoire of skills that advance social and emotional health, build communication and relationship skills and manage day-to-day stress. Structured around the teachings and research of thought-leaders in the field of social and emotional learning, positive psychology, nonviolent communication and secular mindfulness, the evidenced based programs use targeted and effective techniques to bolster social and emotional health in youth and the adults that surround them.

Our approach is both innovative and interactive. Rather than teach, our educational curriculum seeds questions that catalyze real-world conversations and foster self-discovery. Participants discover their inherent capabilities and develop the soft skills they’ll need to transition into the next phase of their young adult lives as global citizens capable of positive change.

Research conducted by CASEL, the leading SEL organization in North America has shown:

• Students with the ability to self-regulate are better able to participate in and benefit from classroom instruction.
• Students who are able to empathize with their peers are more effective at navigating interpersonal problems.
• Students who are able to build a strong mindfulness practice are better at self-regulating, self-soothing, managing emotions and developing coping skills, and less prone to lashing out or using aggressive behavior when confronted with conflict and/or frustration.
• Student success and community cohesion goes up in school communities with a strong SEL foundation.
• Helping students build a solid social-emotional skillset prevents problem behaviors, peer rejection, impulsivity, and low academic achievement.

So the question isn’t why should we incorporate social-emotional learning into curriculums across the country, but rather why has it taken us so long to give our students the skills they need to lead successful, productive and meaningful lives.

Whether you are thinking about starting Social & Emotional Learning programs in your classroom, looking for activities to bolster an already existing program or interested in building a district-wide strategy this workshop fits the bill! Participants will receive a sample lesson plans and secular mindfulness podcasts.

Websites / URLs Associated with Your Session:

www.mindfulnesswithoutborders.org