Former 六合宝典 Teacher of Year transitions from Pre-K to Social and Emotional Learning team
六合宝典 ISD continues to be a leader in Social and Emotional Learning, adding a position this year that will help students and staff become more centered: Social and Emotional Learning Mindfulness Specialist.
James Butler, former Teacher of the Year and Pre-K teacher at Gullett Elementary School鈥攚ho had already begun a mindfulness curriculum that he used in his classroom and was sharing with others鈥攚as chosen for the position.
Mindfulness鈥攁lso known as being present鈥攊s a part of 六合宝典鈥檚 overall social and emotional learning, which can incorporate stretching, yoga poses or taking slow breaths into the learning environment.
The work will include visiting classrooms to model mindfulness, creating new curriculum that teachers can use and teaching professional development classes to those in the district who want to learn more.
Butler, who came to mindfulness through yoga and meditation after struggling with some personal matters, decided to try it in his classroom. He said the results were positive.
鈥淎 lot of teachers are now using this after lunch and recess as a way to calm students so that they are centered on learning,鈥 Butler said. 鈥淎fter using mindfulness in my class, it wasn鈥檛 one full day of Zen, but after consistent practice, the students were better able to self-manage themselves.鈥
Some students have even begun taking what they鈥檝e learned home. Butler heard one story of a student teaching his mother how to breathe after a particularly stressful day. Another child asked his parents to incorporate mindfulness before bed.
Since Butler had taught Pre-K, he said some people have thought this tool is just for younger students, but said it can be introduced at any age. In fact, Butler鈥攚ho learned about mindfulness after age 30鈥攕ays he wished he had learned mindfulness at a younger age.
鈥淚f Pre-K students can learn this, everybody can,鈥 Butler said. 鈥淚 like to explain mindfulness to them like this: Be here. Right now.鈥
And for those who are concerned that this may take away from learning time, Butler says that mindfulness can be incorporated into the regular classroom or used during transitions from class to lunch.
鈥淚t can actually add minutes to your day because you鈥檙e not dealing with as many behavioral problems,鈥 he said.
For parents who want to try mindfulness at home, a few apps to consider are Stop Breathe & Think, Calm or Settle Your Glitter.