January 17, 2020 PD Day
We are fortunate to be bringing in Breathe for Change introductory training to the district. We have three trainers, each who will be working with elementary staff, middle school staff, and high school staff on our January 17th half-day professional development day.
Breathe For Change is a movement to enhance the health and well-being of educators, students, and school communities through social-emotional learning and mind-body wellness. Our mission is to Change the World, One Teacher at a Time.
Breathe For Change is an equity-driven organization deeply committed to using wellness and social-emotional learning as vehicles for social change. The organization was founded by Dr. Ilana Nankin, whose teaching experience and dissertation research revealed the critical connection between teacher well-being and effective teaching. Her findings inspired her to start the Breathe For Change movement in 2015.
For more information about Breathe for Change, please check out this handout or their website.
Workshop Description:
Breathe For Change’s research-backed curriculum combines mind-body wellness, community building, and social-emotional learning practices to empower educators to transform education from the inside out. During this workshop, you will gain tools to practice self-care, facilitate social-emotional learning in the classroom, and use wellness as a vehicle for social change in your entire school community.
Workshop Outcomes:
Please bring:
Timing of Training
Participants
Facilitators
Elementary School:
Lauren D'Angelo
Lauren is one of Breathe For Change's top-rated trainers and was the Asana Trainer in the Boston Summer 2019 Breathe For Change Training at Boston University Academy. She is an E-RYT 500 Yoga Instructor and also has certifications in Prenatal Yoga, Spa Yoga, Tibetan Meditation, Ball Therapy, and is an advisor to Yoga Alliance. Originally from Long Island and now residing in Foxborough, MA, Lauren is very involved in the MA wellness and education worlds and is also a proud finisher of the Boston Marathon. Her values are Authenticity (Be real), Balance (Work Hard, Live Life), Gratitude/Positive Attitude (Each day is a gift, grow your positive attitude), Openness (Everyone has something to offer), and Communication (Someone who seeks to understand and be understood). Lauren is looking forward to sharing her passion and expertise as well as the Breathe For Change magic with educators, students, and community leaders. More info about Lauren can be found here: https://www.lolayoga.com/
Middle School:
Trainer / Facilitator: Jordan Grinstein
Bio: https://www.breatheforchange.com/about/our-trainers/jordan-grinstein
High School:
Trainer/Facilitator: Wendy Welch, NBCT
Wendy is in her 21st year of her career as a special education teacher in both middle school and high school. She is currently teaching ELA at EXCEL High in the Boston Public School district. Wendy has been a lead teacher and facilitator for the Boston Debate League for five years at the middle and high school levels. Wendy leads staff development seminars on how to support staff members with students with challenging behaviors and special needs. She has written curriculum for the Boston Globe, 21st Century Learning, The Greek Consulate, and a year-long Restorative Justice program for special education students. Wendy is a certified Breathe For Change Wellness Champion and yoga instructor (RYT 200). She has implemented yoga and meditation practices in her classroom and with the basketball teams at Excel. She approaches all endeavors with an open mind, an open heart, and a contagious optimism.
Team Time
The PD Committee designed this PD session so you had some structured time to meet with your colleagues to reflect on your experience and identify ways to implement what you have learned in your personal and professional life. We will also have some fun raffle prizes on hand to further your self-care.
Breathe For Change is a movement to enhance the health and well-being of educators, students, and school communities through social-emotional learning and mind-body wellness. Our mission is to Change the World, One Teacher at a Time.
Breathe For Change is an equity-driven organization deeply committed to using wellness and social-emotional learning as vehicles for social change. The organization was founded by Dr. Ilana Nankin, whose teaching experience and dissertation research revealed the critical connection between teacher well-being and effective teaching. Her findings inspired her to start the Breathe For Change movement in 2015.
For more information about Breathe for Change, please check out this handout or their website.
Workshop Description:
Breathe For Change’s research-backed curriculum combines mind-body wellness, community building, and social-emotional learning practices to empower educators to transform education from the inside out. During this workshop, you will gain tools to practice self-care, facilitate social-emotional learning in the classroom, and use wellness as a vehicle for social change in your entire school community.
Workshop Outcomes:
- Enhance your well-being, and reduce stress and burnout
- Increase your ability to integrate mindfulness and wellness into instruction
- Improve social-emotional learning outcomes for your students
- Enhance your school-wide climate and capacity to foster equity and inclusion
Please bring:
- Journal and pen (We will have journals provided for you as well, but feel free to bring your own).
- Comfortable, layered clothing
- Water Bottle
- Something comfortable to sit on (pillow, towel, blanket, or yoga mat. etc.). Note: this is not a yoga session, you just may want something comfy to sit on for the times on the floor. We will have some folding chairs to accommodate those who are unable to sit on the floor.
- Most important: Willingness to learn and take risks. Note: this session is about taking time to invest in yourself, to build a positive community with others, and to learn some strategies that can transfer to your classrooms. In doing so, they work to create a safe environment for everyone and if there is something you are not comfortable with you are not required to participate. They encourage you to come in with the willingness to learn new ideas.
Timing of Training
- High School
- 9-12: 11:45-1:45 Breathe for Change Training (Gym)
- 1:45-2:15 Department Time to Collaborate, Reflect, and Put Ideas into Action (Media Center)
- Middle School
- 12:15-2:15 Breathe for Change Training (Gym)
- 2:15-2:30 Grade Level Time to Collaborate, Reflect, and Put Ideas into Action (Teacher's Room)
- Elementary Schools
- 1:00-3:00 Breathe for Change Training (Memorial ES Gym)
- 3:00-3:30 Grade Level Time to Collaborate, Reflect, and Put Ideas into Action (Memorial ES Cafeteria)
- Note: If you need extra time to eat, you are welcome to continue with your lunch in the session as we have in previous half-days.
- Note: If you need extra time to eat, you are welcome to continue with your lunch in the session as we have in previous half-days.
Participants
- All faculty members
- ABA Techs
- Open to paraprofessionals as part of ASL Day requirements
Facilitators
Elementary School:
Lauren D'Angelo
Lauren is one of Breathe For Change's top-rated trainers and was the Asana Trainer in the Boston Summer 2019 Breathe For Change Training at Boston University Academy. She is an E-RYT 500 Yoga Instructor and also has certifications in Prenatal Yoga, Spa Yoga, Tibetan Meditation, Ball Therapy, and is an advisor to Yoga Alliance. Originally from Long Island and now residing in Foxborough, MA, Lauren is very involved in the MA wellness and education worlds and is also a proud finisher of the Boston Marathon. Her values are Authenticity (Be real), Balance (Work Hard, Live Life), Gratitude/Positive Attitude (Each day is a gift, grow your positive attitude), Openness (Everyone has something to offer), and Communication (Someone who seeks to understand and be understood). Lauren is looking forward to sharing her passion and expertise as well as the Breathe For Change magic with educators, students, and community leaders. More info about Lauren can be found here: https://www.lolayoga.com/
Middle School:
Trainer / Facilitator: Jordan Grinstein
Bio: https://www.breatheforchange.com/about/our-trainers/jordan-grinstein
High School:
Trainer/Facilitator: Wendy Welch, NBCT
Wendy is in her 21st year of her career as a special education teacher in both middle school and high school. She is currently teaching ELA at EXCEL High in the Boston Public School district. Wendy has been a lead teacher and facilitator for the Boston Debate League for five years at the middle and high school levels. Wendy leads staff development seminars on how to support staff members with students with challenging behaviors and special needs. She has written curriculum for the Boston Globe, 21st Century Learning, The Greek Consulate, and a year-long Restorative Justice program for special education students. Wendy is a certified Breathe For Change Wellness Champion and yoga instructor (RYT 200). She has implemented yoga and meditation practices in her classroom and with the basketball teams at Excel. She approaches all endeavors with an open mind, an open heart, and a contagious optimism.
Team Time
The PD Committee designed this PD session so you had some structured time to meet with your colleagues to reflect on your experience and identify ways to implement what you have learned in your personal and professional life. We will also have some fun raffle prizes on hand to further your self-care.
End of Day Survey
1. Please complete the Breathe for Change Survey.
2. Please complete the District PD Committee Survey.
Follow-Up Information from Breathe for Change
Thank you so much for sharing part of your day with Breathe For Change this past Friday!
In the short 2 hours we spent together, we hope that you had a small peek into what can shift in you and your classroom when you prioritize self-care, wellness, and showing up fully for yourself and others. While some moments of the workshop probably nudged you near (and maybe beyond) your comfort zone, we hope that even in those times there was a learning in there.
Your feedback, insights, and perspectives are so important to us, and will continue to help us enhance our trainings. So thank you to everyone who's already responded and if you haven't yet, we'd really appreciate if you did! Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Jan17B4C
Lastly, we're so excited about everyone who's expressed interest in the upcoming Breathe For Change wellness and yoga teacher training in Sutton (starting in Feb 8-9) and in Boston this summer (July 13 - Aug 1). Spots are filling up fast so apply here if you're interested!
And for those who would like free digital Breathe For Change SEL and self-care resources as well as access to monthly webinars, led by our Founder & CEO Dr. Ilana Nankin, that help bring these resources even more to life, then you can find them here: https://www.breatheforchange.com/resources-intro.
Thanks again and wishing you well!
With gratitude,
Jordan (Miscoe), Lauren (Memorial), Wendy (Nipmuc), and the rest of the Breathe For Change Team
1. Please complete the Breathe for Change Survey.
2. Please complete the District PD Committee Survey.
Follow-Up Information from Breathe for Change
Thank you so much for sharing part of your day with Breathe For Change this past Friday!
In the short 2 hours we spent together, we hope that you had a small peek into what can shift in you and your classroom when you prioritize self-care, wellness, and showing up fully for yourself and others. While some moments of the workshop probably nudged you near (and maybe beyond) your comfort zone, we hope that even in those times there was a learning in there.
Your feedback, insights, and perspectives are so important to us, and will continue to help us enhance our trainings. So thank you to everyone who's already responded and if you haven't yet, we'd really appreciate if you did! Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Jan17B4C
Lastly, we're so excited about everyone who's expressed interest in the upcoming Breathe For Change wellness and yoga teacher training in Sutton (starting in Feb 8-9) and in Boston this summer (July 13 - Aug 1). Spots are filling up fast so apply here if you're interested!
And for those who would like free digital Breathe For Change SEL and self-care resources as well as access to monthly webinars, led by our Founder & CEO Dr. Ilana Nankin, that help bring these resources even more to life, then you can find them here: https://www.breatheforchange.com/resources-intro.
Thanks again and wishing you well!
With gratitude,
Jordan (Miscoe), Lauren (Memorial), Wendy (Nipmuc), and the rest of the Breathe For Change Team