TME Teacher Training 2023

As the pandemic continues across the province, Ontario teenagers are struggling to overcome the mental stress and anxiety of the lockdown; returning to school in the fall will be a challenge.

The Mindful Edge Essentials Teacher Training provides the first 4 lessons plus a wrap-up lesson of The Mindful Edge program as a practical foundation. It is comprised of 5 integrated sessions for high school students
(grades 9-12, ages 13-19).

For more information,
Contact Angela Ventrice

The Mindful Edge at R. H. King; In Their Voices - The Benefits of Mindfulness

What the Students say….

What did I learn in this program?

I have to look at any situation from every perspective when dealing with hard things
How to be mindful, always think positively, always live with a passion and with a purpose. Think about your values and goal, reflect on them
To be understanding and respect myself and the thoughts and feelings I feel. To be considerate with the people around me and to give myself time and credit for the hard work I do

What is the most important message for me?

I will appreciate the things in life that are important such as food, sleep, family and friends. Also, to not focus so much on things that have a short-term effect on me and instead focus on long term effects
To take time in my life to relax, de-stress and breathe so I can pursue my goals with more mindfulness

How will I use what I learned in my life?

To use techniques that will help you and others. Calm, relaxed and stress free. Connect with yourself and understand your mind, respect others and yourself
When I am stressed, I will be aware of thought, emotions, actions. I will focus on the positive aspects of situations instead of the negative.

The Mindful Edge: Stress Management and Life Strategies for Teens Teacher Certification Program

The Mindful Edge® is a specially-developed program to provide Stress Reduction and Life Strategies for Teens. It is based on the principles of the MBSR Workshop program created by Jon Kabat-Zinn. The Mindful Edge™ combines the practices of mindfulness with knowledge of brain science, positive psychology, movement and healthy living skills to create a program that benefits teens socially, emotionally, physically and academically.
Students actively participate in the process of unfolding a practical understanding of mindfulness and how it can benefit them in their lives.

Course Description

The Mindful Edge is an evidence-based, trauma-sensitive and social and emotional learning (SEL) informed program comprised of 15 x 1.5-hour sessions, carefully scaffolded and designed to build on the class prior. The program has successfully been implemented in several high schools in Toronto and York Region in Ontario. It is based on the principles of the MBSR Workshop program created by Jon Kabat-Zinn. The Mindful Edge™ combines the practices of mindfulness-based stress reduction with knowledge of brain science, positive psychology, movement and healthy living skills to create a program that benefits teens socially, emotionally, physically and academically.

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.

This course is specifically designed for those who have a strong interest in sharing mindfulness with teens in a classroom setting, either in-person or online. It is recommended that teachers interested in implementing this program have some experience with mindfulness.

Delivery Method: Learn One Teach One

Every week, one lesson will be delivered in real time as it would be taught to students (grades 9-12, and can be adapted for 7-8). The participants will then be invited to teach the session to their class / group / individual clients. The following week, there will be an opportunity to debrief on the previous lesson and receive guidance, mentoring and suggestions before moving on to the next lesson.

Overall Program Goals

Through mindfulness practice and discussion, students learn the science of how the brain works and to use simple and accessible tools to:

Reduce negative impacts of stress
Support emotional regulation and resilience
Improve focus and concentration
Develop the ability to respond thoughtfully, rather than react
Encourage empathy, compassion and sense of community
Cultivate healthy relationships with self & others

Mindfulness and the Ontario Curriculum

In addition to being a foundation for the mental health and well-being of all students, The Mindful Edge program can be included in the following curricula:

Course Structure

The program is composed of 1.5-hour themed lessons, in 3 units, delivered either in small groups, both in person or online.
Overall Program Goal - Resilience: Skill for being with the ups and downs in life

Core Lessons Unit 1 - The Essentials

Lesson	Theme	Description
Session 1	What is Stress?	Physiology of stress and how mindfulness can ease and help manage students' response to stress.
Session 2	Why Be Mindful?	Intro to mindfulness and relevance for students, establishing personal connection - the buy-in.
Session 3	How to Practice Mindfulness? Paying Attention to Body and Breath	Experience of mindful practices that use body and breath as an anchor to attention: body scan, circle breathing, mindful eating.
Session 4	What is the Neuroscience of Mindfulness?	The neuroscience of attention and neuroplasticity.
Session 5	Connection - The Wrap Up	Going forward, reviewing how participants can implement mindfulness practice into daily life.

Core Lessons Unit 2 - SEL (Social and Emotional Learning)

Lesson	Theme	Description
Session 6	How do Thoughts Impact Emotions and Behaviour?	What is the Nature of Thinking? Relationships and connection can be enhanced through practicing mindful speaking and listening.
Session 7	How do Emotions Impact Thoughts and Behaviour?	What is Social and Emotional Intelligence? Exploring emotional literacy, moods, feelings and the continuum of emotions.
Session 8	How to Manage Strong Emotions?	We can learn to manage strong emotions in a way that helps us identify our needs and get them met in situations, and does not escalate them.
Session 9	What is the Science of Happiness?	Happiness is a state that can be cultivated through practicing gratitude, appreciation & kindness, drawing on the recent research on Positive Psychology.
Session 10	Connection - The Wrap Up	Going forward, reviewing how participants can practice healthy mental and physical habits, self-awareness, emotion regulation and connection.

Core Lessons Unit 3 - Mindful Leadership

Lesson	Theme	Description
Session 11	What Does Mindful Leadership Look Like?	Investigating the aspects of mindfulness that support leadership: awareness, attention, intention and action.
Session 12	How to Practice Mindful Leadership Skills?	Teens have the opporutnity to practice guiding simple mindfulness and coping skills with mentoring.
Session 13	How Does Mindful Communication Improve Relationships?	Mindful communication involves applying principles of mindfulness to the way we correspond with others. These principles include setting an intention, being fully present, remaining open and non-judgmental, and relating to others with compassion.
Session 14	How Can Mindfulness Impact Creativity?	Exploring mindful art-based activities.
Session 15	Connection - The Wrap Up	Putting It All Together. Going forward, reviewing how participants can implement mindfulness practices with their peers.