My Definition of Mindful Teaching

Paul Gooddy for FreeDigitalPhotos.net 

It’s what all good teachers do, whether or not they put a label on it.

• It means staying completely focused during each interaction with a student or group of students. 
• It means reflecting on what my students are learning and how. 
• It means not making assumptions.
• It means realizing that there might not be a “right” answer.
• It means not taking everything personally.
• It means recognizing how my background and biases impact what and how I teach.
• It means balancing the needs of the administration, the students, and the parents or sponsors, but not forgetting my own needs.  I can’t help anyone if I’m too burnt out.

Questions to Ask Myself:

• Are the students learning what they need to learn?  If not, why not? 
• Where do I need to put my attention?
• What am I concerned about?  Is it something I can control?   
• If so, how?  If not, how do I let go?

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related posts:

The Importance of Mindful Teachers (interview)

Teach, Breathe, Learn: Mindfulness in and out of the Classroom (recommended book)

Teaching Mindfulness with Integrity (interview)


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