Atlanta Public Schools 2023-2024 Mindful Adult Program

Educator stress, anxiety, depression and other mental and physical health issues has always been reported as higher compared to adults not in the field. Decrease in wellbeing has continued to rise during Covid era teaching and has continued post-pandemic.

Teacher burnout, decreased self-efficacy, and increased stress was not solely isolated to the pandemic, as high rates of psychological distress occurred prior to 2020.

The pandemic highlighted an overwhelming importance of nurturing our educators and providing them with adequate support to cope with the many stresses they face.

Our work with schools and districts around the country has focused on learning the best way to support teachers with research driven interventions with a sole focus on helping educators be well. Our extensive research showed that when given the tools to participate in mindfulness teachers reported lowered stress, higher satisfaction with work and gratitude to the districts and schools for supporting them.

“I have enjoyed most learning skills that I can use to self manage anxiety and trauma”~ APS staff 

“The program is thoughtfully designed and encourages self awareness of one’s thoughts and feelings as we traverse the stressfulness of COVID while teaching students.~ APS staff 

“My biggest takeaway is the belief that the district is actually concerned about teacher welfare; physical and mental”~APS staff 

During the sessions offered in this program staff will gain: 

An understanding of how to use trauma-informed mindfulness practices

Techniques for mindfulness practice (e.g., breathing exercises, grounding, meditation,
journaling) to decrease stress

Strategies to continue practices in personal and in work environment

During the program, you will participate in:

Yoga sessions

Breath-work

Lessons on the brain and body connection

Sessions to understand trauma and its impact on communication, focus, physical health and more

Somatic practices such as tapping, grounding and walking meditations

Various meditations