Educators Online Resources

In the Mindful Schools community – educators, parents, and school community members – many of us are exploring mindfulness because we’re excited to share mindfulness with our students who are facing an increasingly complex and technology-based world. Research shows that in addition to benefits for adults, youth benefit from learning mindfulness in terms of improved cognitive outcomes, social-emotional skills, and well being.

Mindful Teachers is an international online community of educators and helping professionals committed to mindfulness and compassion. Teachers and students all over the world face similar challenges, and the same basic mindfulness practices can benefit people of any age and any culture.

The Association for Mindfulness in Education is a collaborative association of organizations and individuals working together to provide support for mindfulness training as a component of K-12 education. Mindfulness is paying attention here and now with kindness and curiosity.

Mindfulness-based wellness education (MBWE) is an 8-week program teaching formal mindfulness practices as a foundation for cultivating an awareness of one’s health or ill-health in the physical, social, emotional, ecological, vocational, mental and spiritual domains of human existence. It is designed as a health promotion intervention for individuals who are at risk of developing stress related problems, such as is the case of human services professionals.

Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP) is a national, not-for-profit charity for young people and schools. Our aim is to improve the lives of a generation of children and young people by making a genuine, positive difference to their mental health and wellbeing.

Toronto-based Mindfulness Everyday, a registered charitable organization, has assembled a dedicated team of professionals, experienced in conducting mindfulness programs. We are committed to improving the health and well-being of community members and the networks that support children and youth, by providing tailored mindfulness programs for students, parents, educators and helping professionals in educational and community settings since 2009. 

MindUP is the signature program of The Goldie Hawn Foundation, a not-for-profit organization created in response to the global epidemic of childhood aggression, anxiety, depression and suicide. Based firmly in neuroscience, MindUP gives children the knowledge and tools they need to manage stress, regulate emotions and face the challenges of the 21st century with optimism, resilience and compassion.

Our mission is to support educators to integrate social, emotional and academic learning and create relationship-based classrooms that are inclusive, meaningful and engaged.

Stressed Teens teaches mindfulness skills and provides tools for those in their pre-teen years through latter adolescence and even for young adults. Stressed Teens takes a mind-body approach and focuses on the whole person. Teens often have difficulty with their social skills, emotions, confidence, procrastination, impulsivity, and attention. Stressed Teens can improve a teen’s functioning and quality of living socially, physically, and psychologically.

Wake Up Schools supports educators to bring the practices of mindfulness and applied ethics into their own lives so they may be happy and free, and so they may in turn share these practices with colleagues and students in their school communities. With mindfulness teachers and students can experience more peace, learn how to take care of difficult emotions and create conditions for a happy school and a happy world.

We believe that mindfulness fortifies our natural human capacity for awareness and self-care. Being able to pay attention, self-regulate and learn leads to success, no matter what our past experiences. Mindfulness fosters health!

Tribes is a step-by-step process to achieve specific learning goals. Four agreements are honored: attentive listening, appreciation/no put downs, mutual respect, and the right to pass. Students learn a set of collaborative skills so they can work well together in long-term groups (tribes). The focus is on how to help each other work on tasks, set goals and solve problems, monitor and assess progress, and celebrate achievements. The learning of academic material and self-responsible behavior is assured because teachers utilize methods based upon brain-compatible learning, multiple intelligences, cooperative learning and social development research. The teachers and administrators in a Tribes school or district also work together in supportive groups. They too enjoy the participatory democratic process and creative collegiality.

Dovetail Learning is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping adults and children become their best selves through fostering resilience internally, in their relationships, and within their communities. Dovetail Learning works within homes, companies, schools, health clinics, and other organizations so that whole communities can foster wellness together.

The Student Happiness System™ is a pulse survey facilitator which allows students to quickly, privately and securely give educators, counselors and school administration feedback on how they’re feeling. Through the selection of emoji based characters and a text box, students are able to communicate how they’re feeling, road blocks they’re facing or any significant concerns they have regarding experiences within the school or at home. This data is then compiled, prioritized and made actionable via dynamic worklists. Our platform also showcases relevant, timely and inspirational content for students which will assist them in becoming more resilient in their emotional and academic journey.

The Social Decision Making/Problem Solving Program is an evidenced based program which gives students the tools they need to be happy, healthy and productive global citizens, who achieve academically as well as socially.

RULER is a systemic approach to SEL developed at the Center for Emotional Intelligence. RULER aims to infuse the principles of emotional intelligence into the immune system of preK to 12 schools, informing how leaders lead, teachers teach, students learn, and families support students.

Responsive Classroom is an evidence-based approach to teaching and discipline that focuses on engaging academics, positive community, effective management, and developmental awareness. Our professional development, books and resources help elementary and middle school educators to create safe, joyful, and engaging classrooms and school communities where students develop strong social and academic skills and every student can thrive.

The Raising Healthy Children program is a social development approach to positive youth development. The approach incorporates school, family and individual programs to promote key elements that research has shown are critical for creating strong connections and bonds that children need to succeed in school and life; opportunities, skills, and recognition. The school program is based on the belief that every teacher makes a difference in the life of a child, that every child can succeed, and that the family is an important partner in learning.

The PATHS® curriculum is a comprehensive program for promoting emotional and social competencies and reducing aggression and behavior problems in elementary school-aged children while simultaneously enhancing the educational process in the classroom. This innovative curriculum is designed to be used by educators and counselors in a multi-year, universal prevention model. Although primarily focused on the school and classroom settings, information and activities are also included for use with parents.

PATHS® Training LLC is the original authorized worldwide provider of training and technical assistance for the PATHS® curriculum, the research-based and proven-effective social and emotional learning (SEL) curricula for children in preschool through grade 6.

Open Circle provides evidence-based social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculum and professional development for elementary schools. This innovative program proactively develops children’s skills for recognizing and managing emotions, empathy, positive relationships and problem solving. Open Circle helps schools build communities where students feel safe, cared for and engaged in learning.

Be You builds on the success and learnings from five existing programs aimed at promoting social and emotional health and wellbeing for children and young people in the education space: KidsMatter Early Childhood, KidsMatter Primary, MindMatters, Response Ability and headspace School Support. Be You is building on the evidence base and ten years of experience of these programs. These programs are now integrated into Be You – one single, national initiative delivered through early learning services, primary and secondary schools.

It all began with student voice. As part of the Emotion Revolution, a collaboration between the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Facebook, and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, tens of thousands of high school students were asked how they felt in school and how they hoped to feel.

The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) provides leadership in targeted efforts to improve the lives of children and families served within the child welfare system. As part of their improvement strategies, CDSS selected the Chadwick Center for Children and Families - Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego to create the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC). The CEBC is a critical tool for identifying, selecting, and implementing evidence-based child welfare practices that will improve child safety, increase permanency, increase family and community stability, and promote child and family well-being.

Dignity for All (DFA) is an innovative digital learning tool to prevent bullying and discrimination in school communities and develop remediation skills among students, teachers and parents to help repair the harm caused by bullying incidents.

Programs and courses for school leaders and facilitators. Courses can be bought for $15. each, available for one year.  Programs include

A collaborative project dedicated to promoting the development of critical skills beyond academics that research has identified as essential to young people’s success in school, work, and life. The expanded 360/365 project partners have designed a number of supports for educators and leaders of expanded learning programs

The  David P. Weikart Center for Youth Program Quality empowers education and human service leaders to adapt, implement, and scale best-in-class, research validated quality improvement systems to advance child and youth development. Our approach is based in positive youth development research, and the desire to create a safe, supportive, and productive environment for youth.

This Forum helps leaders think differently about what it takes to manage and sustain change, connecting them with the specific ideas, services, and networks they need, whether they are in the process of planning and partnering for impact, improving and aligning policies, or strengthening practices and programs. Helps children and youth get ready for college, work, and life. 

NAA is the membership association for professionals who work with children and youth in diverse school and community-based settings to provide a wide variety of extended learning opportunities and care during out-of-school hours.

A leader's guide to Safe and Sound Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). This guide was developed by CASEL and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Education Laboratory.

This brief from the American Institutes for Research aims to aid teachers to practice Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and showcase three frameworks to influence not only student academic learning but also student social and emotional competencies.

This article discusses the importance of Social-Emotional Learning while in high school. To continue reading article you can either register to gain access to other articles within the website or just hit the x button to close out and continue reading this article. It is free to register with your email and creating a password. 

In this article from November 2014 issue of Phi Delta Kappan, learn how social-emotional skills can boost implementation of the Common Core. Key points of the article include

A scan of new educational teacher programs show that very few teachers receive training to help their students with the social-emotional part of learning. According to a recent Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) report, a whopping 83 percent of teachers stated that they want training in social-emotional learning (SEL) skills.  This article covers a three step approach teachers can implement in their teacher prep programs.

To implement Social and Emotional Learning (SEL), focus on these seven activities in your school. 

There are 5 strategies to incorporate the Social Emotional Learning (SEL) in a classroom setting. Mindfulness, Clarify that thought leads to feelings, Model persistence and determination, Listen with empathy, and emphasize gratitude. The article goes into detail about all 5 strategies.    

Part 2 of this article discusses how child develop emotion management in an OST setting.

PAX Good Behavior Game is a set of strategies to help students learn important self-management skills while collaborating to make their classroom a peaceful and productive learning environment. Centered on the Good Behavior Game, PAX is not a classroom management program, but it makes managing classrooms much easier.

Purpose Prep offers an SEL program built for educators by educators. Their Professional Development equips teachers with practical tools & techniques to make SEL come alive and be successful in the classroom. Through their program and certifications, adults develop SEL skills that empower them to build strong student relationships, effectively manage the classroom, and improve job satisfaction.

EVERFI’s no-cost digital resources cover topics including social emotional laerning and health & wellness. Their student-driven, standards-aligned resources have assessments embedded into them, enabling teachers to see measurable outcomes from student work in real-time. EVERFI resources are and always will be free for teachers to use. Teachers can create an account and set up their classes in less than 5 minutes.

An SEL program built for educators by educators. Purpose Prep's Professional Development equips teachers with practical tools & techniques to make SEL come alive and be successful in the classroom. Through their program and certifications, adults develop SEL skills that empower them to build strong student relationships, effectively manage the classroom, and improve job satisfaction.

This collection of articles introduces readers to new applications of contemplative science in the areas of child development and education. Collectively, the articles explore the prospects for designing age‐appropriate forms of secular contemplative trainings that scaffold the development of executive function, emotion regulation, empathy, and compassion in children, adolescents, and the adults who serve them in educational settings alike.

Schools play an important role in promoting child mental health, but little is known about the approaches they undertake. This survey in England, involving 599 primary and 137 secondary schools, documents approaches and gaps in promoting child mental health.

More than two decades of research demonstrates that education promoting social and emotional learning (SEL) gets results. The findings come from multiple fields and sources, including student achievement, neuroscience, health, employment, psychology, classroom management, learning theory, economics, and the prevention of youth problem behaviors.

Based on the social and emotional learning research review, Edutopia highlights some best practices to follow when implementing SEL programs, along with some tips on how to address common challenges.

Second Step is a program rooted in social-emotional learning (SEL) that helps transform schools into supportive, successful learning environments uniquely equipped to encourage children to thrive. More than just a classroom curriculum, Second Step’s holistic approach helps create a more empathetic society by providing education professionals, families, and the larger community with tools to enable them to take an active role in the social-emotional growth and safety of today’s children. Second Step programs support learners from Pre-K through 8th grade.

With Peekapak, students reinforce concepts like empathy, respect, and self-regulation through a series of ELA-aligned learning games, e-books and social emotional learning activities. Peekapak books are available in 4 guided reading levels, in English and Spanish, and with recorded narration. 

Designed to address social emotional learning at a systemic level in schools and districts, Classcraft’s apps for emotional intelligence have a profound impact on the development of critical soft skills like cooperation, communication, and self-management. Classcraft provides the structure for schools and teachers to align on, implement, and effectively teach SEL skills. 

7 Mindsets is a research-based program serving more than 100,000 K-12 students, operating in over 150 elementary, middle and high schools. It can be implemented at any school to improve academic performance, increase educator engagement and positively transform school culture. Curriculum and coaching includes inspiring lessons, educational games, videos and personalized activities that drive positive student conversations and empower educators to consistently impact student lives.

This 40 hour program provides read-alouds, book talks and sequential interactive lessons that develop social and emotional skills related to: managing and understanding feelings, listening and developing empathy, being assertive, solving conflict creatively and nonviolently, honoring diversity, and standing up to teasing and bullying. 4 R’s uses a family connection component that students can practice at home. Peer mediators and peacemakers are used to assist in conflict resolution.

SPLAT is a positive behavior recognition system which Supports Parents, Learners, Administrators, and Teachers.

Provides a number of different instructional tools and teaching strategies intended to teach students to “communicate, cooperate, connect, embrace diversity, and resolve conflict.” Its social-emotional teaching program seeks to cultivate strong classroom relationships that reduce bullying and help develop children into “tolerant, compassionate, and caring adults for the future.”