The Aware Educator

A Mindfulness Course for Teachers and Schools:

Ignite the Spark of Mindfulness in Every Classroom!

Mindfulness has too often been presented as a band-aid for deeper systemic problems in education. We recognize this and have designed our course to be different.

The Awareness & Compassion Project introduces The Aware Educator, a mindfulness program empowering you with practical tools and strategies to navigate the daily stresses and systemic issues in education. Inspired by Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction training program, the main section of The Aware Educator has 14 lessons for teachers to improve their own practice, and then 5 additional lessons for classroom implementation.

We also include references to scientific studies and the relevant religious tradition preceding the modern mindfulness concept. This program hopes to create a holistic and helpful mindfulness practice for both educators and students.

Scientific Benefits of Mindfulness & Meditation

🧘‍♀️ Improves focus and attention span (Lutz 2008)

🌿 Enhances emotional regulation and self-control (Goldin 2010)

🌸 Reduces stress and anxiety (Sibinga 2013)

🌍 Develops empathy and compassion (Desbordes 2012)

🎨 Enhances creativity and problem-solving skills (Henriksen 2020)

🧠 Improves academic performance and cognitive abilities (Bakosh 2018)

🛌 Promotes better sleep and restfulness (Black 2015)

🌞 Strengthens relationships with family and peers (Dai 2022)

🌈 Cultivates a sense of gratitude and positivity (Sawyer 2022)

💭 Boosts overall mental health and well-being (Krygier 2013)

Why Choose The Aware Educator?

Addressing the Challenging Modern Education Landscape

With challenges like student anxiety, isolation, and increasing leadership demands, educators require tools that extend beyond traditional methodologies. We believe mindfulness is that tool.

Anchored in Scientific Research and Cultural Depths

Our program dives deep, integrating extensive academic research, cultural contexts, and real-world application. The result? Stress relief, emotional grounding, and heightened academic outcomes.

“Mindfulness is about cultivating non-judgmental awareness of our body, breath, and thoughts, leading to greater understanding of ourselves and our environment.”

Experience mindfulness in just 2 minutes! Dive into a brief mindfulness meditation exercise designed especially for those new to the practice. Play the video below and find a moment of calm amidst your busy day.

Educator's Toolkit (3 Hours)

Study Videos

From topics like "Noticing Thoughts" to "Truly Recognizing Your Students' Presence" to "Mindfulness and Anger", all 16x study videos include relevant scientific insights and cultural nuances.

Guided Meditations

14x Guided meditation recordings that journey you into the realm of mindfulness.

Quiz Questions

Every lesson has corresponding quizzes to help cement your learnings.

Journal Reflections

All meditation sessions are followed by a journaling exercise relevant to the topic discussed for deeper contemplation.

Classroom Techniques (20 Minutes)

Method Videos

5x Actionable methodologies like "Mindful Arrival", "Mindful Listening", "Mindful Eating" for real-time classroom incorporation.

Tradition Insights

We provide cultural and religious backdrops to the methods introduced, offering a richer context.

Supportive Materials

Each method has original ready-to-use Google Slides for easy classroom application.

Core Learning Objectives

Inner Sanctuary: Harness mindfulness to fortify your own emotional well-being, diminishing stress, and uplifting your teaching space.

Empathy in Action: Boost compassion, culminating in an inclusive and reflective classroom milieu.

Crafting Mindful Atmospheres: Implement teaching strategies oozing with mindfulness, carving out concentrated and nurturing learning zones.

Curriculum Transformation: Weave mindfulness into your curriculum, amplifying the learning experience for every student.

Approved by the Texas Education Agency!

Texas Teachers! Not only will you gain invaluable skills to enhance your well-being and classroom connection, but upon completion, all Texas teachers will earn 5 hours of CPE credits. You can find us on their list here.

“It became clear over the course of the semester that by engaging in a mindful practice that held central the goal to rehumanize ourselves and others, we were creating more space for transformation.”

Lifetime Access to MIND MUSCLE Included!

"MIND MUSCLE" is our series of 5x original mindful lessons for kids & teens on how to release stress and manage anxiety. This course is intended for purchase by adults—parents, teachers, and therapists—working with young ones to learn meditation. (More info here.)

You get lifetime access to this course for kids (a $39 value) with your enrollment in The Aware Educator!

Self-Serve Edition

• Unrestricted lifetime access to all course materials and resources  
 • $197 one-time payment or $69 for 3 months!

Live Group Edition

  • Duration: 6-week or 10-week training options 
  • Support: Ongoing alongside live kickoff and conclusion calls 
  • $297 per teacher (Currently priced at cohorts of 20). Email us with any questions or needs for adjustments based on number of educator-students!)

FAQs

  • This course is your path to personal well-being and improved teaching. You'll gain tools to manage stress, foster a harmonious classroom, and uplift your students' learning. Plus, you'll see the benefits of integrated mindfulness in your teaching.

  • Jump into our Xperiencify platform for a comprehensive learning experience. It offers videos, mindfulness sessions, quizzes, and more. If you need an alternative, our Google Doc guidebook collates all resources for easy access.

    16x Mindfulness study videos for the educator's practice

    13x Guided meditation videos

    5x Classroom "Mindful Method" videos for classroom integration

    5x Google Slides for classroom presentations

    27x Quiz Questions

    28x Journal Prompts

    3x Self-Assessment surveys (secure)

    1x Final Exam

    3.5 hours of video content

  • Melena Kiriaki is a licensed Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher, Registered Yoga Teacher (500-hr), and Corporate Mindfulness Trainer based in Austin, Texas.

    Melena is the CEO & Co-Founder of The Awareness & Compassion Project, an education company that teaches mindfulness to kids and teachers. She has spoken about mindfulness at SXSW, contributed to Mindful Magazine, and trained adults and kids in mindfulness meditation since 2018. More about our team here.

  • The "Live Group Edition" spans 6 to 8 weeks and blends live interactions with structured learning. On the other hand, the "Self-Serve Edition" lets you explore the content at your rhythm, ideal for those with tight schedules or preferring self-paced learning.

  • We emphasize measurable growth. You'll have a final exam and the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (MAAS) to track your progress. Additionally, regular check-ins and post-course reflections help you understand and share your transformative experience.

  • Absolutely. We stand by the quality of our program with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If within the first 30 days, you feel the course hasn’t met your expectations, you can request a full refund. Please note that if a refund is issued, your access to the course materials will be revoked, and you will not receive the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits or a certificate of completion. We’re committed to your satisfaction and confident that you’ll find value in our expertly crafted curriculum for educators.

On the fence?

We are currently offering a free sample mini-course of The Aware Educator called Mindfulness in the Classroom 101. It includes four video lessons and a discount for The Aware Educator! Complete it in 3 days for lifetime access or you'll lose access forever!