Australian Mindfulness Academy

 

Who is this course for?

 

This course is designed for School Management, Primary and Secondary School Teachers, Guidance Counsellors, School Support Staff, Chaplains and any other personnel involved in the education of teenagers and young adults. It is also suitable for College and University staff and those involved in Youth Organisations.

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What does the course consist of?

 

This Mindfulness Training course is primarily based on the Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Course, from Oxford Mindfulness Centre. (MBCT). Key elements from the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Programme (MBSR) from University of Massachussets are also an integral part of the course.

Our course is designed in line with contemporary research which indicates that when tools from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Positive Psychology are combined with Mindfulness the results obtained are deeper and are longer-lasting. Positive Psychology should not be confused with positive thinking. The former is evidence based and offers many scientifically validated tools which allow individuals to flourish.

Current research findings state that an absence of negative thinking does not automatically lead to a state of happiness - instead the role of psycho-education is of utmost importance to educators and students so they can operate to their full human potential, with increased well-being and resilience.

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Why is Mindfulness so important in Schools?

 

Mindfulness for the Teacher

Mindfulness is vital for self-care of the school staff. Under the current stresses of teaching it is estimated that nearly 50% of new teachers leave the profession within their first five years of teaching due to stress and burnout. This is a loss to both the teacher who has come to teaching through their passion to educate young people, and also to the education system in which they operate. This burnout affects the profession at a time when, more than ever, we a need workforce of calm, supportive, and understanding teachers.

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Mindfulness for the Student

Mindfulness enhances every student's life, not just particular students who may experience behavioural, emotional, psychological or social difficulties. Many children now present in school with challenging behaviours due to the demands of modern life, which may render the classroom situation as a place of difficulty . It should be understood that even being the straight 'A' student and general all-rounder, also brings its own inherent pressures. The benefit of Mindfulness is that it is non-stigmatising and can be offered to all students, with benefits for all. With 75% of mental illness commencing in the teenage years and occurring before the age of 24, it is of vital importance that our students are given the tools for physical, emotional and psychological wellness.

 

Course Content:

 

• The Lineage of Mindfulness - How Eastern Tradition has aligned with Western Science.

• How our Mind works and the role of thought in Mindfulness.

• Understanding the Conscious and Unconscious Mind and how they interact in enhancing Mindfulness practice.

• How our Sensory Systems are the foundational stone of Mindfulness practice.

• Neuroplasticity - The Brain that changes itself.

• Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy  - the interplay of thoughts/feelings/emotions.

• The Autopilot of the Mind - it's advantages and disadvantages in Mindfulness.

• Mindfulness and Flow - The Psychology of Happiness - Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi.

• Elements from MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) and MBCT (Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy) incorporating both formal and informal Mindfulness practices.

• The use of Mindfulness in the Secondary Schools and Third Level Colleges.

• A suite of Meditation practices drawn from the original MBSR/MBCT program, which can be adapted to suit all age groups.

• Evidence-based practices from CBT to negate the effects of faulty thinking styles at a concious level.

• Scientifically validated techniques from Positive Psychology (the study of happiness)

• Contemporary Neuroscience research indicating the benefits of Mindfulness.

• Current research re Mindfulness in schools and third level education.

• Triad role-play to gain confidence in the delivery of Mindfulness to students.

• Physiological markers of The Relaxation Response.

• Mindfulness in everyday life: How to develop and maintain an ongoing Personal and Classroom Mindfulness practice.

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Course Framework

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In order to teach Mindfulness to young people it is essential to have an established personal Mindfulness practice. After all, a swimming teacher wouldn't attempt to teach swimming without knowing themselves how to swim, and Mindfulness is the same.

 

Six Week Online Mindfulness Course

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This 6 week online program concurrently introduces course participants to the key concepts of Mindfulness, for both teachers and students. Through this participants will establish their own Mindfulness practice, and on seeing and feeling the benefits of this practice will then be both qualified and committed to offer Mindfulness as a practice to primary or secondary school students or in youth organisations.

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• The course consists of 6 weekly classes delivered individually, each Thursday in an online format for self-paced learning.

• In order to support participants there will be opportunities for 1-1 online interactions with course tutors for the duration of the course.

• To enhance your learning about Mindfulness, you will be required in weeks 1, 3 and 5 to participate in an online discussion board, which will focus on a key element of Mindfulness.

• In weeks 2, 4 and 6 you will be asked to reflect on your progress through the course, during each of these weeks you will be required to submit an online short account (maximum of 300 words) about how Mindfulness is influencing you on a personal and professional level.

• A commitment to shared learning and appreciation of Mindfulness in an online environment is a key element of this course.

• You will have lifetime access to all materials used within this course.

• Post-course support is provided via a closed Facebook group of like-minded professionals who have completed this training.

• Course delivery will comprise of differing media formats to provide a more engaging and personal experience. You will need access to a PC, iMac or MacBook or windows based tablet to engage with the course content - only basic computing skills are required and support can be provided if necessary. ​

• Each weeks course material is released each Wednesday at 9 am. You have one full week to complete each week's course material. There is no requirement to be online at any particular time during the week

 

Total course duration is thirty six hours.

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Please note: Completion of all 6 weeks of the course is necessary to qualify for the award of the Certificate in Mindfulness for Schools, from the the Australian Mindfulness Academy.

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