Mindfulness is awareness cultivated by paying attention in a sustained and particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, without judgment.
- Jon Kabat Zinn
Mindfulness in MMSD, a part of the MMSD Employee Wellness Program, offers professional development and training to all MMSD staff. The program is founded on evidence that mindful awareness contributes significantly to personal and relational well-being and a belief that mindfulness is a way of being and not a technique. Guided by a vision that prioritizing staff well-being ultimately enhances student wellness and learning, the aim is to provide wide access for our teachers and all staff. District-wide courses are offered frequently throughout the school year and during the summer. Consultation and presentations to schools and departments are available upon request, and resources for deeper individual exploration and learning are also available.
In partnership with the UW Health Mindfulness Program, a trainer-of-trainers program is in place to ensure the learning, skill-building and practice of a team of trainers. Members of this MMSD Core Mindfulness Team teach in the district-wide courses alongside UW Health mindfulness instructors. Additionally, the team is available to deliver school-based and department-based consultation and training. Possibilities include:
Consultation with school teams regarding incorporation of of mindfulness PD and supports in school climate goals and work, including the intersections with restorative practices, equity and SEL.
a one-hour Introduction to Mindfulness presentation for all staff or as a break-out session
2- 4 hour opt-in workshops introducing and practicing the cultivation of mindful awareness
an after school month-long 4-hour Introduction to Mindfulness course where mindfulness is defined and explored through guided practices, reflection and sharing. The intention of the course is to invite participants to experience mindfulness practices as a form of self-care.
Consultation for developing school-based drop-in practice groups
To explore learning opportunities and possible supports for your school or workplace, you are welcome to contact members of the team (key contacts listed below) or submit a request through a School Improvement Partner:
Sara Parrell
Project Lead for Mindfulness in MMSD and Lead Nurse MMSD Health Services
Department of Student Services and Human Resources sparrell@madison.k12.wi.us, 608-442-2170
The District has formed additional collaborations to foster staff well-being.
A long-term medium-intensity partnership with the UW-Center for Healthy Minds supports research in our schools and access to their resources for promoting staff well-being.
Three of our schools (Lincoln, LaFolette and O’Keeffe) have collaborated with the Holistic Life Foundation for teacher and student training over the past several years.
A more recent low-intensity partnership with Breathe for Change is in place to allow for communication regarding wellness supports for teachers.
Research accomplished in MMSD through the partnership with the Center for Healthy Minds demonstrated decreased stress and burnout and increased teaching efficacy as a result of the mindfulness training intervention for teachers. Courses and consultation offered through the Mindfulness in MMSD program are intended to support the well-being and the work of teachers in a similar fashion and continue to foster growth of personal wellness for educators who have benefited from a variety of past learning.
MMSD offers opportunities throughout the year for staff and teachers to learn and practice mindfulness. Access the MMSD Professional Development Talent Portal to read descriptions and to register. Offerings include classes for beginners new to mindfulness, for those who have some experience, and for past or current participants interested in continuing their practice with other MMSD members. Course details include information Professional Academic Credit (PAC) if the course qualifies for credit. Find out answers to your questions about Mindfulness in MMSD course offerings on our FAQ tab above.
Introduction to Mindfulness (4-week course)
For teachers and staff new to mindfulness; no prior experience or knowledge of mindfulness required
This course is available to schools or departments on-site, and meets for one hour per week for four weeks. All participants are welcome to join -- those new to mindfulness and those with some prior experience. Mindfulness is defined and explored through guided practices, reflection and sharing. The intention of the course is to invite participants to experience mindfulness practices as a form of self-care.
Foundations in Mindfulness for Beginners (10-hour course)
For teachers and staff new to mindfulness; no prior experience or knowledge of mindfulness required
This course will give participants knowledge and skills in the practice of mindfulness. Time will be devoted to learning how to care for yourself and others through the many facets of mindfulness practice and its direct implication and impact in living a more sane life. Mindfulness is based on an understanding that life is mixed, having magnificent moments, and moments of challenge and disappointment. What is important is the way in which we meet the moments of our lives, with as much as ease as possible. Participants will also learn about mindfulness supports and resources in MMSD and the broader community.
For teachers and staff with some experience in mindfulness practices including, but not limited to, classes through MMSD Professional Development, UW Health Mindfulness Program, the Center for Healthy Minds, graduate of Breathe for Change
The Day of Mindfulness is intended to create space to remember and renew our practice and is led by experienced teachers from UW Health Mindfulness Program and trainers from the MMSD Core Mindfulness Team. Held largely in silence, time is devoted to a variety of gently guided stillness and movement practices, and opportunities for personal space. Tea and snacks are provided. The day ends with supported conversation on applications in our work: how might our personal mindfulness practice manifest itself in the environment of education?
Classroom Action Research (CAR): Mindfulness in Education
Open to all teachers, Student Services staff and Administrators/Leaders
As part of the over 25 year history of Classroom Action Research in MMSD, a year-long CAR course is offered annually on the topic of Mindfulness in Education. PAC or reduced tuition UW graduate credits are available. A light dinner is provided for all evening sessions; and substitute (guest teacher) coverage is provided for any daytime meetings.
For more information about accessing past CAR studies, hearing more about past work, or inquiring about next year’s course, contact: Erica Kruger, at ekruger@madison.k12.wi.us or Sara Parrell, Project Lead for Mindfulness in MMSD and Lead Nurse, sparrell@madison.k12.wi.us.
Group Drop-In Practice
Several schools in MMSD have established weekly short practice opportunities for their staff, and some are now opening those sessions to all MMSD staff. Currently, O’Keeffe Middle School and LaFollette High school welcome all MMSD teachers and staff into their drop-in practice times. See below for details.
Weekly Mindfulness Drop-In sessions at O’Keeffe Middle
All MMSD teachers and staff are invited to attend a new mindfulness offering in MMSD for those interested in sustaining a personal practice. A four-week series of group practice sessions at O’Keeffe Middle School will be held. Facilitators will guide practice for the group as well as provided opportunities for short reflections. Some familiarity with mindfulness and/or completion of one mindfulness offering in MMSD is recommended for participation.
Thursdays, 4:00-5:00 pm
Mats, blankets and cushions are available for your use, and chairs are available for all. Parking is available in the Marquette lot (on Jenifer Street). Enter through the Marquette Elementary doors -- signs will be posted directing you to the practice space (room 117) in the lower level of O’Keeffe. Contact Jamie Domini jldomini@madison.k12.wi.us) with questions. Please note, this offering is guided but informal, providing an opportunity to join with other practitioners.
Weekly Mindfulness Drop-in Sessions at La Follette High
Led by a group of teachers, counselors, and psychologists, La Follette High School continues to offer weekly mindfulness classes for their employees. The 30-minute sessions are held after school in the La Follette’s Zen Den. The Zen Den, created by LaFollette students and staff, is a dedicated space for mindfulness practices. Mats, cushions, and blankets are available to use during practice. To learn more about the mindfulness drop-ins at LaFollette, visit their Facebook page or contact Joman Schachter (jschachter@madison.k12.wi.us). Currently, the drop-ins occur from
Mondays and Wednesdays, 4:00-4:30 pm
MMSD Teacher Community of Care
This group is a monthly opportunity open to staff interested in practicing together and sharing school-based experiences of supporting peers and students in mindful awareness and well-being practices. Lori Gustafson, teacher/PBS lead at Lincoln & UW Health mindfulness teacher, serves as the group’s lead facilitator. Participants can offer to host a gathering at their school; the invitation is open to anyone on a drop-in or continuing basis.
Meditation is when you intentionally set aside time to do something that’s good for you, and there are all kinds of meditations. Mindfulness is both a general awareness of the world and a formal meditation practice. It’s two things, not one. Meditation and mindfulness overlap in mindfulness meditation, which is one of the most popular types of meditation.
- Dr. Elisha Goldstein
MMSD mindfulness courses include both formal and informal practices. Mindfulness itself is not a religion, and is taught in MMSD with a secular approach. The mindfulness courses offered by MMSD are based on the work and research of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, who developed the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course in the late 1970s.
MMSD offers opportunities throughout the year for staff and teachers to learn and practice mindfulness. Access the MMSD Professional Development Talent Portal to read descriptions and to register. We offer classes for beginners new to mindfulness, for those who have some experience, and for past or current participants interested in continuing their practice with other MMSD members.
We offer a range of courses depending on experience and interest. Please refer to course descriptions to determine if the course is the right one for you. If you have any questions, please contact Sara Parrell at sparrell@madison.k12.wi.us.
Course details include information on Continuing Education (CE) or Professional Academic Credit (PAC) if the course qualifies for credit. Edgewood College is our partner who awards the academic credit. Information about PAC or CE credit will be shared with class participants. Not all MMSD mindfulness offerings are eligible for CE or PAC credit.
No. The mindfulness classes offered through MMSD align with the vision of Mindfulness in MMSD which offers mindfulness practices as a way to cultivate staff well-being. The MMSD mindfulness classes are not intended as a preparation program for teachers to teach mindfulness to students. A list of resources is available on our website for MMSD employees interested in learning more about mindfulness organizations, publications, and sites.
Our mindfulness courses build in content, skill, and practice over the duration of each class so if you know at the time of registration that you may have a conflict with attendance, please consider signing up for the course at another time. Sometimes unexpected things come up so if you do miss a class, please contact the instructor.
It’s not necessary to change clothes from work unless doing so will be more comfortable for you. Some participants wear the same clothes from work while others change. Dress comfortably knowing that most classes involve a combination of sitting in chairs or on the floor (on cushions). Class may include gentle, slow movement like walking or yoga. Depending on the class site, some items such as yoga mats, blankets, and sitting cushions are available. Longer classes have breaks, and participants are encouraged to be responsive to their own needs for nourishment or comfort. Feel free to bring what you think you will need.
Before the first class, participants receive an email introduction from the instructor(s) that includes details of items (yoga mat, blanket) that participants might want to use but that may not be available on site.
Some of the practices require periods of silence and stillness; other practices invite participants to try some gentle movement. Practices can be adapted; modifications or adaptations are offered by the instructor. Participants with health or medical concerns should inform Sara Parrell at sparrell@madison.k12.wi.us, and she can also put you in touch with the instructor(s) for the class if you wish to share any questions or concerns.
Pause- Relaxation at your fingertip - Paid app for IOS & Android which encourages mindfulness through moving your finger at a steady pace across the screen, helping you regain focus and release stress.
Calm.com - web app, IOS and Android with some free content and some paid content. One free aspect of the web app is that the home screen after log-in (which is customizable with a variety of calming background scenes) can be used as a image on a projected screen to give a calm ambiance to a room.
Books on Mindfulness (that you can check out from the Mindfulness in MMSD Program)
This is a list of books available for check-out from Mindfulness in MMSD including some of the above and others; they can be sent to you via school mail.
Ten to twenty copies of these are available for small book groups. Edgewood credit and PAC options being developed.
Reminder: No school across all grades on Tuesday, November 5. (Also, no elementary classes on Monday, November 4.) School resumes on Wednesday, November 6.