The Future of Education

This paper will focus on practical strategies utilized in an American teacher education program in New York City to empower future educators and young learners toward development of 21^st century competencies through use of mindfulness methods, meditation, and growth mindset language. Techniques discussed were intended to foster increased levels of mental and physical wellness to support educators and young learners in coping with challenges of attaining deeper levels of learning inherent in striving toward mastery of 21^st century competencies, such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking in the learning process.

A primary goal of this paper is to share wellness techniques implemented in teacher education courses, professional development workshops with community school partners, and in diverse elementary and middle school classrooms with young learners. Additionally, use of mindfulness and mediation techniques implemented in a successful summer pilot program designed to support young struggling readers will be highlighted. Although most strategies were geared toward teaching young learners new ways to cope with the frustration of ongoing learning challenges and obstacles, such as multiple academic struggles and life stressors, techniques can be adapted for use with other audiences and age groups.  Lessons learned and reflection on successful implementation of wellness strategies will be shared.