SMART 2023

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Contact Angela Ventrice
Director of Educational Programs

Can Mindfulness Make You A Better Teacher
Article by Carla Waites

Why Begin with the Educators?

A Case for smartEducation
As teachers and helping professionals, we are confronting unprecedented challenges in our working and personal environments, while becoming increasingly aware of the value of acquiring social emotional skills. Scientific studies and significant bodies of research are showing the benefits mindfulness practice can have on our lives - on our concentration, attention and focus, executive functioning, emotional balance, social behavior, compassionate efforts, as well as, physiological health, promoting mental and physical wellbeing.

SMART (Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques) is a course designed to help us learn how to acquire these benefits through mindfulness practices and ways of relating to ourselves. In this course, we learn to fulfil the growing demands of our professional lives, to manage and live fuller healthier lives. SmartEducation teaches how to regulate ourselves, switch off ruminating thought tendencies and lighting up more positive moods, we become more aware of ourselves, both physically and mentally, to engage in response and emotion practices, so we can cope and manage ourselves more effectively. We are essentially learning skills we have not been taught; looking after ourselves is often taken for granted when tasks such as ours are to care for everyone else.

The SmartEducation program reminds us how to use, “an oxygen mask while on board a plane” so we are well before being help for others. The awareness we gain throughout this course is a deeper state of mind that enhances our meaning and purpose. As such, SmartEducation teaches us to stress-proof ourselves, to become more interconnected and to grow wiser. To cultivate mindfulness is beneficial for all of us and those we care for. When we are awakened to these kind of brain practices, an entire community can benefit, with less stress and burnout, more positive thinking, improved relationships and enriched outcomes.
~ Maryclaire Odorico

The Smart Education course provided a comprehensive curriculum covering a wide variety of topics including self-compassion, emotions and forgiveness. The practice exercises offered different options to accommodate individual preferences/needs.

It also provided an excellent structured approach supporting participants in developing their own mindfulness practice.

I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is new to mindfulness or would like to continue to cultivate their practice.
~ Jenny Baretto

The SMART program came into my life just when I needed it. As a new teacher at the time, I was feeling overwhelmed and unsupported. This was compounded by the fact that I worked in a challenging work environment, where I was barely staying afloat. The SMART program gave me practical tools and a community that truly saved me. I would have left the teaching profession had I not found this outlet to equip me with self care strategies. Thank you!

“The class was excellent. I was particularly surprised/pleased with how the wisdom/benefits of the practices became clear to me slowly over the course of the sessions. I learned from doing rather than just listening to a lecture.” This course reminded me that I can take care of myself too, and still be a hard-working, valuable and caring teacher.”

Login to access smartEducation™ Online Meditations for SMART Participants

smartEDUCATION™ Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques

Trauma-Sensitive, SEL-informed and EDI-Aware

SEL = Social and Emotional Learning | EDI = Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Why Bring smartEducation to Your School? Discover a program that:

equips your staff to effectively manage stress and embrace challenges while preparing them to guide students to be with the ups and downs of life.
fosters a deep sense of belonging and connection within your school community, setting the stage for improved student well-being.

Develop Effective Strategies for Challenging Situations:

Acquire strategies to relate effectively to challenging situations, ultimately improving your ability to engage with students and colleagues constructively.

Manage Stress and Foster Emotional Control:

smartEducation equips you with tools to manage stress through a greater understanding and control of emotions, empowering you to create a positive learning environment.

Prioritize Self-Care and Build Resilience:

Learn self-care techniques that foster personal and professional resilience, enhancing your ability to handle the challenges of education effectively.

Enhance Concentration and Executive Function:

Gain insights and practices to help yourself and your students enhance concentration and executive function, vital for efficient planning, decision-making, and impulse control.

Revitalize Purpose and Enhance Physical and Mental Well-being:

Experience how SMART Education can rejuvenate your sense of purpose, both personally and professionally, promoting happiness through healthy habits of the mind while cultivating overall mental and physical well-being.

Aligns with Ontario's Education Focus

SMARTeducation™ aligns with Ontario's emphasis on enhancing mental health learning for educators and addressing stress management within the education system.

Aligns with Annual Learning Plan (ALP)

supports the teacher's professional learning and growth by providing skills to manage stress and enhance mental health literacy.

Funding may be available through OSSTF, ETFO and other professional organizations.

smartEducation™ - A 9-Session Renewal Program

Program Structure:

smartEducation™ is a 9-session, 20-hour, evidence-based secular program, designed for all educators, including teachers, educational assistants, child and youth workers, staff, administrators, social workers, psychologists, and other helping professionals working with students.

Each session includes:

Presentations
Group discussion
Experiential practices in mindfulness >
4-hour silent retreat
Weekly home practice
Engagement and Interactivity

Certification:

Successful participants receive a smartEducation Certificate of Completion.

SMART Integrates the teachings, practices and research from:

Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
Mindful Self-Compassion
Mindfulness-Based Emotional Balance
Mindful Movement
Kindness and Compassion training

Who Should Attend

Education professionals including teachers, educational assistants, child and youth workers, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists, student support staff as well as administrators and office staff.

The program is also suitable for helping professionals who work with children and teens, including health care professionals, community leaders and staff. Previous experience with mindfulness is not required.

Organizational leaders, administrators and staff as well as community and program leaders, who are committed to creating healthy workplace environments.

FAQ's about SMART

Questions	Answers
What is SMART?	An evidence-based, trauma-sensitive, SEL-informed program designed to address the needs of educators (Kindergarten to Grade 12) and professional support staff.
What does SMART mean?	Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques
What is the course format?	The 20-hour program is delivered in a workshop setting, consists of 8 x two- hour sessions, a 4-hour silent retreat and includes home practice.
Is there a certificate available?	Participants who have completed the requirements receive a smartEducation Certificate of Completion.
What is ME responsible for?	ME researches and manages the development of the evidence base for continual updating of the curriculum and training of SMART facilitators
Who is the contact at ME?	Heidi Bornstein, Director, SMART Ontario 416 267-4707 \| heidi@mindfulnesseveryday.org
What materials are provided?	SMART Participant Manual Additional relevant resources: articles, books recommendations, websites, cds.
Is there home practice?	There is a manageable amount of home practice – between 15-20 minutes per day.
Who is SMART for?	Educators and helping professionals,nurses, community organizational leaders and staff.
Who is SMART taught by?	SMART facilitators have engaged in a 100+ comprehensive training pathway consisting of training programs (Foundations), practicums, mentoring and on-going professional development. The facilitators each have a personal mindfulness practice, have educational and community experience and are supported by Mindfulness Everyday’s Community of Practice.
Is SMART Evidence-based?	SMARTeducation Research Thirty years of informed basic research and, more recently, neuroscience, offer compelling evidence to support the use of employing mindfulness practices in education. The application of mindfulness by students and teachers has the potential to improve academic achievement, mental health, and positive relationships. Scientific studies show that mindfulness training develops one’s concentration, attention, executive function. Download Research Summary from UBC Here More Smart Research https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen-Ragoonaden
What do our SMART facilitators say about the program?	Participants notice increased capacity to: - befriend your emotions - use deep self-care to maintain emotional balance, leading to a change of trait, not just a change of state - manage challenging situations - effectively improve concentration, - decision making & wise action enhance purpose and joy in your work and personal life - relate & respond more effectively to stress to avoid burnout feel better, - physically and mentally feel connected and part of a like-minded community - promote leadership develop effective communication skills - promote positive relationships increase presence - build on inner resilience
What is the difference between SMART and MBSR?	- Explicit teachings on intention, self-compassion, kindness, empathy and compassion - Explicit teachings on emotions, emotional balance, emotional literacy and managing strong emotions - Sessions include simple foundational Mindful Movement flows - Emphasis on bringing mindfulness into daily life using the attitudes of mindfulness and informal mindfulness practices
How is SMART delivered?	SMART is delivered both In-Person in Ontario and BC, and ONLINE, in a method that is highly participatory, engaging, and interactive.
How much does it cost to take the SMART 9-session program?	SMART FEE Winter 2023= $500.00 per person CDN More Information HERE: https://mindfulnesseveryday.org/schedule.html Organizational Rates Are Available Subsidies are available. More Information HERE: https://mindfulnesseveryday.org/mindfulnessineducation.html#scholarships
Is there a “Train the Trainer” program	The SMART Facilitator Training Pathway is a 100+ hour program that involves direct teacher training programs, practicums, mentoring and on-going professional development More information HERE: http://www.mindfulnesseveryday.org/smartcertification.html
SMART Research by UBC	Mental Health - Mindfulness as Professional Development smartUBC™ Exerpts from article by Karen Ragoonaden, PhD \| Visions Journal, 2016, 12 (2), p. 30. Link to Article HERE About the author: Dr. Ragoonaden was the Chair of the smartUBC curriculum and certification committee.

Mindfulness Everyday Refund Policy for SMART

We are confident you will find our classes enjoyable and beneficial. However, we do understand there are times when you may need to drop out of the course. Our refund policy is to provide a full refund, less a $50.00 administration fee, if the request is in writing and received by us, at least 5 business days prior to the course start. For subsequent written requests to withdraw, received by us up to 48 hours prior to the start of the second class, a refund of course fee will be given, less $100.00 to cover our costs up to that time (not including materials received). Course fees will not be refunded thereafter.

To request a refund, please send an email to payments@mindfulnesseveryday.org indicating your name, the name of the class, reason for the refund, and a phone number where you can be reached in case of questions. *Prices quoted may change without notice reflecting market changes beyond our control.

Insurance

SMART is not therapy or medical treatment. However, some insurance plans do cover health education and wellness classes. If your plan covers Mindfulness-based programs, we will provide the information you need to request reimbursement directly from your insurer.