Hersey assures us that once teachers learn and embrace the techniques, MindUp increases efficiency in the classroom and daily schedule, just as it will the lives of students. There is some concern about how teachers and administrators will have the capacity to implement yet another program into their busy day.
Hersey agreed that the preferred roll out schedule is to start with the youngest students when dealing with a district of our size. Superintendent Mike Matthews was notably impressed by the out pouring of support at the meeting, indicating that perhaps the program will be expanded once successfully implemented at the elementary level. Maria Hersey, the Director of Education & Training for MindUP in the United States, held last month.
Over 75 parents, teachers and administrators attended the information session led by Dr. The resulting positive behaviors have led to lower drug and alcohol usage rates, lower dropout rates, a decrease in stress and classroom anxiety, improvements in peer-to-peer conflict resolutions, and academic success.Īlthough the current approved plan is to implement MindUP in grades K-5, support for bringing it to MBMS and even Mira Costa is apparent. MindUP lessons align with the Common Core standards and support improved academic performance while enhancing perspective taking, empathy and kindness. Better yet, 100% of teachers who use MindUP agree that they can more easily manage the classroom, maintain an environment conducive to student learning that, in turn, improves student academic outcomes dramatically. While these may seem like lofty goals, MindUP has a proven track record, serving thousands of students on a global level. Along with the classroom lessons, there is a short, three times a day practice of calming the mind through “brain breaks”, or focused breathing and listening exercises. Each lesson teaches students about their brain (anatomy and function), and how they can positively influence their own development. The MindUP curriculum is supported by the latest scientific research in the fields of cognitive neuroscience, social emotional learning, mindfulness education, and positive psychology. When implemented by classroom teachers, and incorporated into our academic programs, the MindUP lessons (15 total) will help our students better engage in learning, limit their distractions, self-regulate their behavior and improve their focus and resiliency training.
The MindUP program has four goals: to foster mindful focused awareness to increase positive human qualities, such as empathy, perspective-taking, helpfulness and kindness to increase optimism and the sense of well-being, while gaining resiliency traits and to foster a cohesive, caring classroom climate. Neuroscientists, cognitive psychologists and educators worked together to create MindUP to help children understand how their brain works and how their thoughts and feelings ultimately affect their behavior. MindUP is an evidence-based social and emotional literacy curriculum that strives to unlock the true potential of each student through education of both the heart and mind. MBUSD recognizes this need and has turned to the proven work of MindUP to bring these skills to our own students.
Based on the results of the MBEF survey in 2014, our community wants an even greater focus on the development of character in elementary, middle and high school as well. From student driven ambassador and buddy programs to awards for citizenship, sportsmanship and other pillars of character, our youngest students have been introduced to the positive aspects of being a caring part of the school community. More and more schools, and even public service organizations, are realizing that embracing the development of these tools is essential now more than ever.įor many years now the elementary schools within our district have incorporated character development programs into the core practices on campus. Instead we look to API or SAT scores, the number of AP courses on the schedule or even individual project grades to assess success.īut are we doing our children a disservice by neglecting the importance of mental health and wellbeing? Anxiety and stress are common threads among students today, and equipping them with key social and emotional skills at an early age will lead to smarter, healthier and happier lives well into the future. We tend to lose sight of the fact that our purpose as parents is to nurture capable, thoughtful, kind, secure and independent citizens of a greater society. More often than not, when we think about the success of our children during the first 18 years of their life, we turn to their academic achievements.
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