Effective education is not determined by the destination and the destination alone, but the journey there.

Humans are shaped by both nature and nurture, but we are also active in shaping own own development. Knowledge within a classroom setting needs to be ACTIVELY constructed and not simply transferred. When we as teachers engage in experiences, activities, and discussions that challenge learners to make meaning, they are actively engaging in building a more complex understandings of their own world.

So with that being said there are various aspects that we need to be mindful of; that which all constitutes being a mindful teacher.

Mindfulness involves paying careful attention to thoughts, feelings, and the environment. We as teachers should embrace mindfulness to help improve students’ attention, emotion regulation, and their learning in the classroom.

What comes significantly to the fore when addressing something like mindfulness, is that learning is not just learners as an isolated entity and teachers as an entirely separate entity. In a classroom with a diversity of learners needs, a teacher cannot employ one or two different teaching methods addressing a limited number of learning styles. Teaching methods need to vary so that all learners’ learning styles can be included and a diversity of learning needs can be addressed and met. And that alone is an instance of mindfulness, being aware of your learners and understanding that what works for one wont necessarily work for all.  

Mindfulness enables us as teachers to connect deeply with our learners. Being a school teacher can be a stressful job and a mindfulness practice can be incredibly helpful with developing the strong relationships needed to successfully lead a class.

The concept of interdependence and co-operation is instrumental l to how mindfulness is introduced into the classroom. If one part of any system functions poorly, the whole system is affected. I think we need to think of teaching and learning in that regard. As a system, that desperately needs the other to function effectively.

The point at which these two sources link for me is at the following;

How this notion of mindfulness can be carried out through pastoral care. Pastoral care as outlined in the video by (Foley, 2014) is, ‘a teacher should be available and accessible to their students, and secondly they should create an environment of open communication where student’s worries and concerns can be heard. They should provide solid education in foundation skills like reading and writing. Fourthly, showing empathy and understanding. Aspects like these are used to enhance the teaching process and the overall school environment. It’s the culmination, or the coming together of aspects and approaches like these that constitute effective teaching.

Mindfulness could cultivate an exceptional learning environment, refresh teachers and their teaching and refresh the students’ learning.

We face many challenges, and have many great opportunities, in the education profession today. The mindful teacher seeks to provide a new space to explore those challenges and opportunities with one another. 

Effective education is not determined by the destination and the destination alone, but the journey there.