Work in Schools
Meghan Leighton (Dutton), M.A.T, worked in the field of education for almost 20 years, in special education and mindfulness education (with PK -12th grade), and has been practicing meditation and yoga for the past 20 years. She is certified with Mindful Schools as a mindfulness educator and has written and developed mindfulness and social emotional curriculum with Meena Srinivasan (educational leader and author) and implemented mindfulness in unique ways in classrooms, weaving in Expeditionary Learning practices into each lesson.
Meghan was a Massachusetts licensed educator, and has provided professional development with schools, retreats for educators, and classes for universities including URI, Salve Regina University, and The University of Amherst . Her career has also lead her to mentor with iBme (Inward Bound Mindfulness in Education) during their teen and Harvard University retreats in California and Massachusetts.
Mindfulness & Social Emotional Learning in Education:
Professional Development for School Districts
One-day, two-day, or weekly professional development trainings and support groups for teachers and school staff in the area of mindfulness in education are offered through Awake Minds. These trainings provide information on personal practice, the science of mindfulness, and tools to bring mindfulness into classrooms and therapeutic services.
Mindfulness, Social Emotional Learning, and Yoga scope & sequence and curriculum for first through fourth grade and middle school through high school classrooms is also available after completion of training.
Self-Care Retreats for Educators
Knowing first hand the pressures and responsibilities that teachers experience, Meghan understands how vital self-care is as an educator.
Half-day and full-day self-care retreats are offered in person or online for educators. Retreats weave in personal mind/body practices of yoga and meditation, resources/tools for greater ease, improved sleep + well being, and tips for balance in and outside of school.
Mindfulness + SEL Classes for Students
Meghan offers secular-based mindfulness and Social Emotional Learning lessons in classrooms and after-school programs for Kindergarten through 12th graders, using the Mindful Schools curriculum. She weaves in crafts, creativity, and play into each lesson and modifies curriculum based on students' backgrounds and needs.
Topics covered include: mindful eating, mindful walking, mindful movement, mindful breathing, mindful listening, effects of technology and neuroscience, mindfulness of emotions, mindful eating, brain science, mindful consumption/ sustainability, and heartfulness/ self-compassion. Yoga and gentle stretching can also woven into each lesson.
PLT4M Mindfulness & SEL High School and Middle School Lessons
Awake Minds has also teamed up with PLT4M, an online portal for schools, that provides in-depth lessons on mindfulness and social emotional learning facilitated by Meghan.
Lesson topics include: mindfulness for test taking, mindful breathing, mindfulness in sports, and much more.
For more information, click here or email Doug Curtin to learn more.
Testimonials
Marblehead High School's Mindfulness 101 class :
“This class changed my life and the way I see things for the better. I actually can’t believe how amazing I feel.”
“I have learned how to recognize my emotions better. “
“I can say that without a doubt that without this class at this exact time in my life I would have been so incredibly miserable. This class helped me with everything.”
“I have been getting a lot more sleep and I am more refreshed at school.”
“I have an increase in my self esteem, this has made me more accepting of who I am.”
Past and Current Mindfulness Programs:
Awake and Empowered Youth Kickstarter: Boys and Girls Club, Newport, RI
Teen Moms Mindfulness Program, Newburyport, MA
Girls Inc. - Yoga and Mindfulness
Lawrence Public Schools Mindfulness Programs: Parthum Elementary School; Tarbox Middle School; Frost Elementary School
Insight Meditation, Newburyport- Mindfulness for Youth Programs
Mindfulness Programming and Professional Development: Marblehead High School, MA; The Greene School, RI; Gaudet Middle School, RI; Norton Public Schools, MA
Support Meghan in raising funds for iBme mindfulness scholarships for teens
Looking for resources and lessons to bring mindfulness lessons into your classroom?
Click here to visit Awake Minds on Teachers Pay Teachers
Photo by jankovoy/iStock / Getty Images
MegHAN LEIGHTON, FOUNDER OF AWAKE MINDS
Photography credit: Devyn McCarron Photography & Inward Bound Mindfulness