1st Edition
The Meditation and Mindfulness Edge Becoming a Sharper, Healthier, and Happier Teacher
Teachers juggle a lot, so the ability to stay focused, calm, and mentally sharp is critical. This generous and heartfelt book shows you how meditation and mindfulness practices can enable you to not only survive but flourish in the classroom. Dr. Lisa Klein presents powerful findings on the effects of meditation on teachers. She reveals the positive effects that meditation had on her and her own career in education. She also shares personal stories that demonstrate how meditation may offer a balm to help teachers stay healthy mentally and physically while tapping into higher levels of awareness, including experiences of self-actualization and synchronicity. In addition, she offers practical, simple strategies for both developing teacher presence and shifting to a more positive classroom energy. This powerful book moves beyond basic self-care tools to help you develop a new, lifelong practice. Anyone involved in education can benefit from this book, as can anyone interested in learning more about how meditation can help with health and well-being in general.
Introduction. Part I: Understanding Meditation and Its Benefits 1 What is Meditation and Mindfulness? 2 Why Should We Care About the Well-Being of Teachers? 3 Effects of Meditation on the Body and Mind 4 The Effects of Meditation on Teachers 5 Critiques and Caveats about Meditation and Mindfulness Part II: Stories from the Beginning, Middle, and End of My Teaching Career and How Meditation Played an Important Role 6 The Transformation of an Introvert: How Meditation Calmed my Anxiety and Helped Me to Blossom 7 The Early Years of Teaching 8 From Fear to Love: More Stories from the Early Years 9 Surviving a Toxic Workplace: How Meditation Shielded Me from the Negative Effects of Co-Worker Tensions 10 Synchronicity 11 Training for the Worst 12 Dr. Mom, the Vampire 13 A Call to Action that was Guided by Synchronicity 14 Reflections on My Career and Meditation Part III: Shifting Your Energy: Simple Strategies to Introduce Mindfulness into Your Life Now 15 Shifting Your Energy and the Energy of Your Classroom 16 Suggestions for Learning to Meditate and Incorporating a Mindfulness Program into a School or Workplace
Biography
Lisa M. Klein, Ed.D., is a certified meditation teacher and has been teaching meditation privately and conducting workshops since 2003—introducing people of all ages to the power of meditation. In addition to teaching both Vedic and mindfulness meditation, Lisa taught high school English for over 20 years. Visit her website at www.lisakleinmindfulness.com.
“Lisa Klein’s book captures a career at the chalkface, the challenges, joys and moments to shine that teachers can engineer, all infused with a heartfelt compassion and honesty. The role of mindfulness and compassion in Lisa’s journey show a deep conviction that contemplative practice can enhance all aspects of the teacher and their art, ranging from pedagogy to dealing with trauma and stress. She has written a book that all working in education should read.”
-Graeme Nixon, Ph.D., Professor and Programme Director, Studies in Mindfulness, University of Aberdeen
“Lisa Klein's book is a must read for teachers who are practicing meditation/mindfulness or thinking about starting a meditation practice. The book is filled with daily examples for how meditation/mindfulness can be helpful to a teacher. Lisa includes her journey as a teacher and how meditation was helpful at each stage. This book will resonate with teachers seeking ways to improve their practice as well as nourish their wellbeing.”
-John Miller, Ph.D., Professor; Curriculum, Teaching and Learning—The Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto
“Lisa shares her strategies in this articulate and comprehensive book. Lisa provides the tools to activate a healthy and mindful meditation practice for anyone, anywhere, anytime. She enables the non-believer to believe in the process and the active veteran the opportunity to take a deeper dive. Lisa is a rare gem, a precious gift to those longing for a healthy, mindful lifestyle.”
-Kiesha Lalama, Managing and Artistic Director of the Point Park University Pittsburgh Playhouse
