<![CDATA[MICHIGAN COLLABORATIVE FOR MINDFULNESS IN EDUCATION - News & Events]]>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 16:18:20 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Join our Journey! Mindfulness Training for Students & Teachers]]>Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:47:06 GMThttps://www.mc4me.org/news--events/join-our-journey-mindfulness-training-for-students-teachers
Starting in January 2026, MC4ME will be training teachers, staff and students at Carkenord Elementary in the L'Anse Creuse School District.
​This 6-week training involves 10 teachers and staff and 8 classrooms
of students, and you're invited to follow along!  Each week we will post updates about our lessons, progress and hopefully some cool, "AH-HA" moments and stories. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and X and
​stay tuned!
]]><![CDATA[Be Well Retreats for Your Next PD]]>Tue, 18 Nov 2025 14:16:31 GMThttps://www.mc4me.org/news--events/be-well-retreats
We are GRATEFUL to have had opportunity to provide our Be Well Retreats to teachers and staff from Farmington, L'Anse Creuse, and Livonia this past  year at no charge. Thanks to generous grant funding, we're continuing to offer FREE 3-hour mini-mindfulness retreats designed to support your wellness and equip you with ways to stay balanced and less stressed! Contact us to learn more.
]]><![CDATA[Bud Finds Her Gift]]>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 20:03:13 GMThttps://www.mc4me.org/news--events/bud-finds-her-gift
This picture book by the renowned author of Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer, tells a touching story of a young child who, by paying attention to her senses and the natural world, comes to appreciate the importance of being mindful of the Earth.  Beautifully illustrated, the tale begins with young Bud seeing the busyness of adults around and wondering what she might do to contribute. Her wise grandmother encourages her to explore the surrounding sights and sounds in nature. Through close observation of plants, animals and birds, Bud discovers the gifts of inter-connectedness that each brings. ​
The story concludes with the recognition of her own gifts she can offer to safeguard the earth. In the era of seduction by screens and quick pace of life, this book can serve to inspire young people to slow down, appreciate the gifts that nature shares with us and find ways they can mindfully support Earth’s bounty.  At the end of the book, the author offers different ways to engage children in this effort and recommends additional picture books. To supplement these resources, teachers may also be interested in accessing this teaching guide of discussion questions and further activities.   
]]><![CDATA[Transforming Education Through Mindfulness - Discover how mindfulness is reshaping educational environments and personal well-being]]>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:50:29 GMThttps://www.mc4me.org/news--events/transforming-education-through-mindfulness-discover-how-mindfulness-is-reshaping-educational-environments-and-personal-well-being
​I first discovered mindfulness in 2017 while pursuing my Educational Specialist degree in Leadership. It was the first time since 2001 that I felt comfortable sitting still and connecting my breath to the present moment. After experiencing a personal tragedy, I had been holding my breath for so long that simply allowing myself to breathe and focus on nothing else felt enlightening. ​Through mindfulness practice, I experienced a profound sense of calm, and my ability to be present and prioritize self-care grew stronger. It was truly life-changing. Living in the present moment, taking a breath when emotions run high, and reflecting, are the aspects of mindfulness that have transformed my life.
In 2023, I became a Title I teacher and joined the Michigan Collaborative for Mindfulness in Education training the following summer to learn how to teach mindfulness to students. As a classroom teacher, I began incorporating mindfulness into our restorative circle time, creating opportunities for connection, purpose, and belonging within the school community. I aimed to expand this practice by teaching mindfulness lessons in other classrooms, believing that students could benefit socially and emotionally if mindfulness was introduced early in their elementary years.
 
Having experienced the transformative power of mindfulness firsthand, I was inspired to offer mindfulness training to both teachers and students this year. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to positively impact our school community in this way. By practicing mindfulness, students will not only strengthen their sense of community but also engage in social- emotional learning and navigate difficult conversations with greater ease.
]]><![CDATA[Evolving Transformative Social and Emotional Learning with an Ecological Perspective]]>Mon, 17 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMThttps://www.mc4me.org/news--events/owen-r-srinivason-mwanless-s-2025-evolving-transformative-social-and-emotional-learning-with-an-ecological-perspective-social-and-emotional-learning-research-practice-and-policy-vol-6-december-100126Owen, R., Srinivason, M.,Wanless, S. (2025)
Social and Emotional Learning Research, Practice, and Policy. Vol. 6, December, 100126
What is the connection between climate change and meditation? Everything. Climate change is a first-tier concern in our world today.
​The effects of climate change on the environment, e.g. extreme weather conditions, rising seas, and wildfires, can cause fear, anxiety, and helplessness among young people. The authors of this article make the compelling  case for integrating an ecological perspective into SEL (Social Emotional Learning) practices in schools. 
Practices of mindfulness among youth transform thinking from an inner focus to an outer direction. When applied to the context of climate and environmental justice, students learn to see themselves in relationship to one another and the world.The shift from self to beyond self opens the door for students to recognize inequities such as the effects of climate change on people and the world. Once realized, students can take actions to mitigate its effects and become champions of climate justice.
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