In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda explores the complexities of working with physical, mental, and emotional pain, drawing from the teachings of mindfulness expert Christiane Wolf MD. The discussion covers the prevalence of chronic pain, differentiates between pain and suffering, and introduces techniques for managing pain using mindfulness and meditation. The episode includes a guided meditation designed to help listeners identify and manage pain more effectively, aiming to offer valuable insights and alleviation strategies for both educators and anyone experiencing chronic pain or the grief of the loss of a loved one.

00:00 Introduction to Working with Pain

00:05 Meet Christian Wolf: Mindfulness Expert

01:11 Personal Experiences with Chronic Pain

01:35 Understanding Pain: Physical and Mental

04:50 Cultural Attitudes Towards Pain

09:15 The Two Arrows of Pain

12:22 Practical Techniques for Managing Pain

23:24 Guided Meditation for Pain Relief

Resources:

https://www.christianewolf.com/

Meditation Mini Lesson 3rd-5th Grade:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-for-3rd-5th-Grade-13806933?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Meditation%20and%20Minfulness

Meditation Mini Lesson 6th-8th Grade:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-6th-8th-Grade-13815439?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Mindfulness%20and%20Meditation

Cultivating Loving Kindness: Exploring Metta Meditation

In this episode of the Empower Students Now Podcast, your host, Amanda Werner, delves into the practice of Metta or Loving Kindness Meditation. As part of an eight-part series on meditation and mindfulness for teachers and students, Amanda shares insights from her extensive teaching career and her training as a meditation teacher. She explains the steps to practicing Metta, including starting with those easiest to love, and expanding outward. Additionally, Amanda reads poignant quotes from Sharon Salzberg's book, 'Loving Kindness, the Revolutionary Art of Happiness,' and discusses the importance of boundaries and compassion. The episode concludes with a guided meditation designed to help listeners cultivate loving kindness and a compassionate mindset. Listeners are encouraged to share the podcast, visit Amanda's website, https://amandawritenow.com for additional resources, and reflect on their experiences with the series.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Support

02:52 Episode Introduction: Loving Kindness

05:07 Understanding Metta: Loving Kindness

08:44 Personal Stories and Challenges

15:03 Steps to Practicing Metta

18:11 Guided Meditation on Loving Kindness

Meditation Mini Lesson 3rd-5th Grade:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-for-3rd-5th-Grade-13806933?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Meditation%20and%20Minfulness

Meditation Mini Lesson 6th-8th Grade:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-6th-8th-Grade-13815439?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Mindfulness%20and%20Meditation

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, Amanda shares a deeply emotional talk on the importance of compassion, particularly self-compassion, for educators. Through a recounting of her own personal journey and learnings from the MMTCP program, she introduces the RAIN technique—Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture—created by Tara Brach, as a tool for addressing negative self-talk and fostering a kinder inner dialogue. The episode includes a powerful 15-minute guided meditation to help listeners practice self-compassion, complete with actionable steps and gentle reassurances. Amanda also discusses the significance of tears as a healing response and offers resources for teaching mindfulness to children. This episode is part five of an eight-part series aimed at supporting and renewing burnt-out teachers. Listeners are encouraged to share the podcast, visit Amanda's website, https://amandawritenow.com for additional resources, and reflect on their experiences with the series.

00:00 Introduction and Overview

04:21 The Importance of Self-Compassion

08:54 Recognizing Negative Patterns

15:21 Guided Meditation: Practicing RAIN

28:31 Closing Thoughts and Gratitude

Meditation Mini Lesson 3rd-5th Grade:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-for-3rd-5th-Grade-13806933?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Meditation%20and%20Minfulness

Meditation Mini Lesson 6th-8th Grade:

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-6th-8th-Grade-13815439?utm_source=Podcast%20Episode%20%2389&utm_campaign=Podcasting%20Series%20on%20Mindfulness%20and%20Meditation

In this fourth episode of an eight-part series on meditation and mindfulness, the discussion focuses on being mindful of thoughts. Amanda recently received her certification to teach meditation. She explains how thoughts are mental processes influenced by various factors like environment, culture, and emotions. The episode debunks the myth that meditation aims to stop thoughts, highlighting instead the importance of noticing them. It covers the neural basis of thoughts and offers practical advice on using breath as an anchor during meditation. Personal anecdotes and stories from the classroom demonstrate the significance of observing and questioning thoughts to reduce suffering and promote self-compassion and in turn compassion toward others, including students. The episode concludes with a guided meditation exercise aimed at helping teachers and listeners become more aware of their thinking patterns.

00:00 Introduction to Mindfulness of Thoughts

01:08 Understanding Thoughts and Their Influence

03:43 The Practice of Noticing Thoughts

07:16 The Power of Noting and Naming Thoughts

10:03 A Touching Story on Mindfulness

12:46 Judgment and Bias in Education

16:58 Exercise: Counting Your Thoughts

23:18 Guided Meditation for Noticing Thoughts

Resources:

Meditation Mini Lesson 3rd-5th Grade

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-for-3rd-5th-Grade-13806933

Meditation Mini Lesson 6th-8th Grade

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Meditation-Mini-Lesson-6th-8th-Grade-13815439

https://amandawritenow.com/a-new-way-to-think-about-thinking/

https://amandawritenow.com/navigating-the-complexities-of-our-emotional-lives-with-mindfulness-meditation/

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, the third installment of an eight-part mindfulness series, the focus is on emotions. Drawing on insights from the Mindfulness Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP), Amanda, the host of the podcast, addresses how emotions manifest in both mind and body, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and meditation in recognizing and managing them. The episode includes a discussion on the diversity of emotional experiences, the significance of the nervous system in emotional regulation, and practical tips for teachers and social justice advocates to integrate mindfulness into their lives. Additionally, the host guides listeners through a meditative practice to better understand and manage their emotions.

00:00 Introduction to Emotions and Mindfulness Series

02:19 Defining Emotions and Personal Reflections

07:22 Family History and Emotional Conditioning

12:46 Understanding the Nervous System and Emotions

18:12 Naming and Identifying Emotions

24:04 Primary vs. Secondary Emotions

30:20 Guided Meditation on Emotions

https://amandawritenow.com/finding-calm-amongst-the-chaos-of-life-part-ii-the-body-as-your-anchor/

Contact Me: https://amandawritenow.com/contact-form/

In this episode, part two of an eight-part series, Amanda discusses her journey through the Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher Certification Program (MMTCP) and the profound lessons she learned. She emphasizes the importance of self-compassion, especially for women, teachers, and social justice advocates who often experience overwhelm and self-blame. Amanda defines mindfulness and meditation, highlighting the benefits of body awareness. She shares practical techniques for body scan and walking meditation to help listeners find peace and presence amidst the stressors of modern life. The episode concludes with a guided body scan meditation to practice these principles.

00:00 Introduction to the Series

00:40 Personal Journey into Meditation

01:39 Teaching Mindfulness to Women

03:20 Challenges of Modern Life and Self-Care

09:22 Defining Mindfulness and Meditation

17:16 Body Scan Meditation Techniques

24:23 Beginning of Guided Body Scan Meditation

In this episode, Amanda welcomes Jen Chieco, a former teacher who transitioned into becoming a life purpose coach who specializes in empowering teens. They discuss Jen's teaching background, her reasons for leaving public education, and how she found her true calling through life coaching and breath work. Jen shares insights on the challenges of teaching in public schools, the importance of supportive administration, and the impact of nurturing relationships with students. They delve into breath work as a powerful tool for mental health and personal growth, and Jen offers actionable tips for both educators and students to find purpose and empowerment in their lives.

You'll Learn:

-How Jen transitioned from teaching full time in a public school to being coach

-Jen's methodology for supporting teens and adults

-Breathwork techniques you can use in and outside of the classroom

-How to foster positive relationships with students

-Jen's inspiring views on what empowerment is and how to empower yourself as well as your students

Resources Mentioned:

jenchieco.com/services (Free 30 Minute Coaching Discovery Call)

jenchieco.com/breathwork (Breathwork Sessions)

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7lnGKrOWAuKvNoxEleY8Vm?si=asaUZkUsSdCwIRL_7bpEOw (David Elliott Breathwork Healer Spotify)

https://amandawritenow.com/finding-calm-amongst-the-chaos-of-life/

Contact Me: https://amandawritenow.com/contact-form/

Amanda returns after a long hiatus, excited to start a new season focused on mindfulness, neurodiversity, equity, and student engagement. In this special episode, Amanda shares a recording of her first mindfulness class from her practicum, which is part of her Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher Training Certification Program(MMTCP). The class includes a 10-minute talk on the challenges of slowing down and using the breath to do so, followed by an 8-minute meditation to practice using the breath as an anchor. Amanda discusses the significance of breath as a tool for calm and peace amid the chaos of life, particularly for teachers. She also introduces various breathing techniques and their benefits. The episode concludes with a guided meditation exercise aimed at helping listeners find tranquility.

00:00 Welcome Back!

01:00 Introducing the Practicum

04:35 The Power of Breath

10:05 Personal Meditation Journey

13:09 Breathing Techniques

19:39 Guided Meditation

28:01 Closing Thoughts

Show Notes, Transcript and More: https://amandawritenow.com/fixing-the-oppressive-foundations-teacher-prep-induction-and-pay/

In this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast, hosts Amanda and Trina dive deep into the complex and often controversial topic of teacher pay. Joined by special guest Jess, they explore the historical roots of teacher pay, referred to as "step and column". They discuss the unique challenges faced by teachers across different states and the impact of oppressive teacher pay systems on both new and veteran educators. In addition to the topic of teacher pay, the hosts unpack the topics of the high cost of teacher preparation and induction programs that require teachers to shell out even more time and money.

***Correction: Hello Listeners--Trina has issued a couple of small corrections--firstly, the two year post-graduate induction exception in California which allows a teacher to finish up in one year instead of two requires 3 not 5 years of teaching. Secondly, the year she completed her administrative services credential, in 2020, was not the first cohort required to complete induction for admin, it was the first cohort who was required to complete the CAL APA's--which is an entirely different requirement.

Show Notes, Transcript and More:

https://amandawritenow.com/educators-or-pawns-unpacking-the-realities-of-being-a-k-12-teacher-in-america/

In this thought-provoking episode, co-hosts Trina, Amanda, and Jess delve into the challenges and frustrations faced by educators in today's educational landscape. Focusing on the controversial adoption of canned curriculums in secondary education, they explore the implications for teacher autonomy, mental health, and the broader impacts on the K-12 system. Jess shares her powerful reactions and insights from a recent episode featuring two high school teachers, sparking a candid discussion about the systemic issues plaguing the profession. https://amandawritenow.com/educators-or-pawns-unpacking-the-realities-of-being-a-k-12-teacher-in-america/

Check out that previous episode here: https://amandawritenow.com/the-teacher-shortage-crisis-lessons-from-an-esl-teachers-stand-against-canned-curriculum/

Key Takeaways:

Teacher Autonomy: The episode highlights the stark contrast between the autonomy traditionally granted to secondary teachers and the rigid structures often imposed on elementary educators.

Mental Health: Amanda discusses the toll that teaching takes on mental health, especially under the current educational policies and societal expectations.

Systemic Issues: The conversation underscores the systemic problems within the educational system, including the lack of understanding and support from those outside the K-12 world.

Personal Reflections: Jess opens up about her own experiences and frustrations, offering a raw and honest look at the life of a teacher who feels more like a pawn in an ever-changing game.

Gender and Roles: Trina touches on the gendered nature of teaching roles and how societal expectations impact female educators in particular.

Quotes:

"I felt like a pawn in a game I didn't want to be in."

"Being a teacher today is like being part of a system that sacrifices your mental health for the sake of maintaining order."

"Elementary school feels high stakes, but it's treated with less urgency and respect compared to secondary education."

Discussion Points:

How the adoption of canned curriculums impacts teacher creativity and effectiveness

The importance of teacher autonomy in fostering a positive educational environment

The intersection of gender, societal roles, and the teaching profession

Strategies for teachers to advocate for their needs and mental health within the system

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