Austin ISD Mindfulness Newsletter
Resources for Support During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Mindful AISD--
Our personal practice has never been more important. It's so important that we are taking care of ourselves so that we can be our best for others in creative and supportive ways during this trying time. I highly recommend setting time each day, ideally around the same time each day to help with routine, to practice mindfulness. As I'm very honest about, depression and anxiety is something I regularly deal with and I've noticed it even more as we endure this trying time. I can honestly say that my daily mindfulness practice and daily exercise is helping me move through each day and helping greatly with my mental health.
Take good care of yourself, each other, wash your hands, and stay physically distant but remain socially connected. We got this y'all.
James
This newsletter will feature a collection of mindfulness resources including special offerings from mindfulness organizations for this time as we are living in physical separation from our students, colleagues, neighbors, etc. The resources will be split into three categories...
- Learning at Home Support
- Specifically for Educators
- Free Mindfulness Resources to Use & Share
Physical & Mental Health Menu: This is a helpful tool that I've been using for the past few months and it's come in very handy during this stay at home period. You can schedule what you're planning to do for your physical and mental health for the week. It's been very helpful in holding me accountable and allowing me to make a plan for two extremely important aspects of life: physical & mental health. The document is in English and Spanish (translated by Guerrero-Thompson teachers...thanks y'all!).
SPECIFICALLY FOR EDUCATORS
Stop Breathe & Think
Free SBT Subscription for Educators
"You will have access to over 100 premium activities, with new activities added each month on our Stop, Breathe & Think All Ages and Kids apps."
Headspace
Free Headspace Subscription for Educators
"Headspace offers free access to all K-12 teachers, school administrators and supporting staff in the US, UK, Canada and Australia."
Liberate
Talks and Guided Meditations from Teachers of Color
"Our mission is to empower Black, Indigenous, and People of Color on their path of finding inner peace."
LEARNING AT HOME SUPPORT
SEL At-Home
"Intended to provide parents/caregivers and students access to SEL-related enrichment activities, resources, self-care and mindful practices and more. We've also included SEL-based practices for leaders, staff, and educators who are transitioning to a virtual work environment."
Mind Yeti
Mind Yeti Podcast: RSS Feed | Spotify | Stitcher
"Fifteen mindfulness sessions are available for anyone to use, no experience necessary! Designed for educators and families to do with children, or for older children to do on their own, Mind Yeti provides a great way for everyone to practice mindfulness during this difficult time."
Austin ISD Learning At-Home
The Austin ISD At-Home Learning Site
"Students, teachers, and caregivers can access resources, learn how to navigate online tools, and stay informed about our Wednesday distribution of hands-on materials and school supplies."
Pure Edge K-12 Mindfulness Resources
Pure Edge K-12 Mindfulness English/Spanish Resources
"We know that this has been a very stressful time for you and your team. As schools are closing and resources are being gathered, we wanted to send some videos and items in this dropbox link so that you could easily access and add them to your own district platforms in lieu of guiding them to our website."Check out their site for even more great resources.
Tips To Teach Your Child At Home
Tips To Teach Your Child At Home--2Ward Equity Blog
"Our students, families and community need us to operate as an organization that takes advantage of this opportunity to recreate how we engage in learning. For the first time since No Child Left Behind we have no state mandated standardized tests to weigh down our staff. We have the opportunity to approach our work with love, compassion, empathy and equity."Click here for PDF of the tips.
Printable Mindfulness Resources for Families
From Austin ISD, Mindfulness activities in English, Spanish, Arabic, Farsi/Dari, Burmese, Swahili & Kinyarwanda! This folder will continue to be updated. Recommendations welcome!
This Mindful AISD YouTube Playlist consists of over 40 videos and growing. I'm leading "Today's Mindful Moment" video each day on Twitter and posting here on YouTube as well.
FREE MINDFULNESS RESOURCES TO USE & SHARE
Self-Care Newsletter from Kocurek Counselor, Angela Vera
Stop Breathe Think -- Calm Coronavirus Anxiety
Headspace -- Weathering the Storm
Sounds True
"In response to the growing uncertainty and heightened stress during this unprecedented time, we have created this special digital care package to help you navigate the coming days with mindfulness, compassion, and presence."
Mindful Music Moments w/ ArtsWave
Mindfulness Exercises
"From the official partner with the mindfulness program developed at Google. Free Mindfulness Exercises, Meditations & Courses. Browse our collection of free mindfulness trainings, meditation scripts and mindfulness worksheets."
UCSD Center for Mindfulness
Daily Mindfulness & Compassion Sessions
"Due to the current situation with the coronavirus (COVID-19) evolving rapidly across the United States, our Center, The Sanford Institute, and the Compassion Institute will work together to provide daily streams and recordings of mindfulness and compassion sessions to provide resources and online support to those affected."
Mindfulness Newsletter Archives
Every newsletter from the last 4 years. So many resources!
Mind Oasis
Newsletter Signup & Additional Support
James Butler, M.Ed.
Austin ISD SEL Mindfulness Specialist
2014 Austin ISD Teacher of the Year
Author of Mindful Classrooms: Daily 5-Minute Practices to Support Social-Emotional Learning
Email: james.butler@austinisd.org
Twitter: @mrbutler629