10
ATPE NEWS
KNOW AND TELL
Mindfulness
Strategies for
the Classroom
BY JAMES BUTLER, AUSTIN ISD SEL MINDFULNESS SPECIALIST, AND
EMILY HOALDRIDGE-DOPKINS, AUSTIN ISD SEL SPECIALIST
I
t's no secret that teachers have a lot to accomplish every day. Integrating social
and emotional learning (SEL) into class routines provides students with valu-
able life skills and can help make learning more efficient. SEL helps improve
class relationships, which fosters learning across content areas. Mindfulness
is a tool that supports SEL in and out of the classroom. A practical definition
of mindfulness is "right here, right now: paying attention on purpose, responding, and
being kind to yourself." In Austin ISD, one of the nation's leaders in SEL, mindfulness
is being implemented in one way or another on nearly 100 campuses, and the number
keeps growing.
A common misconcep-
tion is that mindfulness
is mostly a self-regula-
tion tool. However, when
practiced consistently,
mindfulness increases
proficiency in the five
core competencies of
SEL (created by CASEL,
an organization that
supports SEL in schools).
SELF-AWARENESS:
Enhances your ability to
focus attention and im-
proves self-compassion
SELF-MANAGEMENT:
Increases emotion
regulation skills
SOCIAL AWARENESS:
Increases empathy by
helping the individual
regulate emotions rather
than getting overwhelmed
during difficult situations
RELATIONSHIP SKILLS:
Increases compassion
and deep listening
RESPONSIBLE
DECISION MAKING:
Increases cognitive
flexibility and creativity
Why: