Are you a peaceful teacher? Are you a peaceful person? Would you like to cultivate more peace in your daily life? Come learn mindfulness and social emotional behavioral support practices that you can use to support your wellbeing. In this one-hour credit course, learn practical, simple ways you can press pause, re-center, and intentionally promote a peaceful presence that will have ripple effects to your family, students and the world. Through practices of mindfulness, social emotional behavioral support, self-compassion and neuroscience, begin to explore peaceful applications in your life to build resiliency, hope and curiosity, leading to health and wellbeing. This course provides educators and any school or university staff or administrator with research-based theory, collaborative design, and opportunities to practice and embody peace. Together we will engage in mindfulness and social emotional behavioral support practices that support emotional regulation and wellbeing, including breathing strategies, mindful moments, mindful movement, nature-based education experiences, positive psychology invitations, gratitude and self-compassion. We will learn the science and research supporting these practices and have time to both reflect and share about our plans for applying these peaceful practices to our daily lives and teaching. A text, Practicing Presence, will be used to support course aims. This retreat-like course will be facilitated by Sarah Montgomery, PhD, and Ann Jackson, PBVM. It will occur indoors and outdoors on the beautifully supportive and restorative 67 acres of Prairiewoods Franciscan Spirituality Center (120 East Boyson Road in Hiawatha). Optional opportunities, such as massage, yoga, tai chi and sounding will also be available. The mission of Prairiewoods is to provide natural space for people to explore relationship with Source, Self, others and Earth. Overnight lodging is available and strongly encouraged. The cost is $100 (plus $35 paid to Grant Wood AEA) and includes sessions, lodging, and daily breakfast and lunch. (Lodging is strongly encouraged.) The commuter fee is $75 (plus $35 paid to Grant Wood AEA) and includes sessions and daily lunch. For more information, contact Prairiewoods at 319-395-6700. Dual registration is required. Register for this course on the Grant Wood AEA website AND at www.Prairiewoods.org.
