Well-Being in schools: A mindfulness approach for teachers and staff

In the fast-paced world of education, stress and emotional fatigue are everyday challenges for teachers and school staff. The course “Mindfulness and Meditation for Teachers and Education Staff: Cultivating Students’ and Teachers’ Well-Being” offered practical tools to manage stress, enhance emotional awareness, and foster a more mindful, balanced approach to teaching and learning.

Held in Palermo from 27/04/2025 to 03/04/2025, the course brought together educators from across Europe with Piotr and Leszek from Norwid Secondary School II Liceum Ogólnokształcące im Cypriana Kamila Norwid in Poland, Elke from Max-Weber-Schule Freiburg in Germany, Karin from Samskolan Saltsjöbaden and Charlotta and Mia from Källvindsskolan in Sweden, José Luis from IES Rambla de Nogalte in Spain and last but not least, Anne from Lycée Saint Jacques de Compostelle in France. Through a blend of theory and practice, participants explored how mindfulness and meditation can improve focus, reduce stress, and support both personal well-being and classroom harmony.

A core focus of the course was the role of breathing in managing stress. Participants practiced techniques such as abdominal breathing, discovering how intentional breathwork can calm the nervous system and promote emotional regulation. These exercises were simple, effective, and easy to integrate into school routines—both for teachers and students.

Educators engaged in guided meditations, body scan practices, and daily journaling to develop greater self-awareness and presence. These moments of reflection helped them recognize and respond to emotional triggers with more clarity and compassion.
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One of the sessions was held outdoors, allowing participants to experience mindfulness in connection with nature. In Villa Trabia, they practiced different meditation techniques and they focused on breath and sound, surrounded by a peaceful landscape. These experiences deepened their sense of calm and connection.

The course also explored how mindfulness can be applied in the classroom. Teachers discovered practical strategies such as short breathing breaks, focus exercises, and mindful transitions between activities. They also practiced mindful listening and communication techniques to improve relationships with students and colleagues.
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By the end of the week, participants had developed their own mindfulness toolkit and a plan to bring these practices into their schools. They returned home feeling more grounded, empowered, and inspired to create supportive, mindful learning environments.

Discover more about this course  here