Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book presents teacher competency and understanding around how this content influences the climate and culture of their classrooms and, in turn, student achievement. It highlights the Mindful Practices Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies that are Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Social Awareness, and the balance between Self-Efficacy and Social Harmony are skills we assume our teachers possess simply by virtue of being nurturers and educators. The techniques in the book provide teachers and students the tools to find their voices and put their practices into words. SEL, mindfulness, and yoga/movement are best implemented when they are integrated into the climate and culture not just of the classroom but of the school, so that there is a model for the students to reference. It presents strategies to help develop one's SEL competency and that of their students, along with practical implementation tools for the school and classroom.