Ed Surge – Jenny Abamu
“In 2016, the Austin Independent School District’s Office of Social and Emotional Learning launched a pilot to bring mindfulness practices to classrooms. Today, Butler, the new Mindfulness Specialist (yes, that’s his title) for the district, leads the practice in all 130 public schools. What is the goal of adding mindfulness in the district? Officials say they hope the practice can help students be “present,” reducing stress, anxiety and helping them cope with traumatic experiences by incorporating breathing exercises, stretching and yoga throughout the school day. Students in the district note that they have seen differences in their educational experience.” (more)