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Stress Strategies for the Educator and the Classroom

This webinar will review the evidence base for the applications of mindfulness training in the classroom, as well as how it can support teachers. Currently, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, educators are experiencing a drastic change in their teaching and day-to-day work. In addition, many educators have high expectations that can be hard to achieve right now. All of which can contribute to stress and negatively impact emotional and physical wellbeing. When a person’s body is habitually in a stressed state or “crisis mode”, cognition is altered (impeding attention, memory, and emotional regulation). Many of the body’s physiological systems are also altered, leading to increased risk of chronic disease down the road, as well as an increase in depression and anxiety.Mindfulness training in adults has been shown to significantly reduce the experience of stress, depression, and anxiety while simultaneously increasing emotional regulation and sustained attentional control. This session will address the link between stress and health outcomes in adults and children, and provide evidence-based practices to mediate the negative effects of stress. Examples and practice experience will be provided from the authors’ work in developing and delivering “Create a Healthy Tomorrow: Stress Strategies for Children” to schools across Tucson. Several mindfulness tools that build students’ (and teachers’) ability to self-regulate will be interactively modeled and practiced.

Speakers

Gloria G. Irigoyen-Montijo, BS, CFP, CHWC

Employee, Patient Health Improvement and Wellness Program Coordinator @El Rio Health

Gloria G. Irigoyen-Montijo, BS, CFP, CHWC, is the Employee, Patient Health Improvement and Wellness Program Coordinator for El Rio Health, a federally qualified health center in Tucson, Arizona with a special interest in disease prevention and intervention through education and exercise. Gloria is the co-creator of the award-winning Create a Healthy Tomorrow: Stress Strategies for Children. Gloria has a background in education and behavioral health working with at-risk youth and high toxic stress populations.

Kyla James

Child and Family Wellness Program Coordinator @El Rio Health

Kyla James is a Child and Family Wellness Program Coordinator with El Rio Health, a federally qualified health center in Tucson, Arizona. She is a graduate of UCLA, University College London with a Masters degree in Educational Neuroscience, and the University of Arizona with a Masters of Public Health. She is the co-creator of the award-winning Create a Healthy Tomorrow: Stress Strategies for Children curriculum and teaches the program in schools throughout the Tucson area. Kyla coordinates pediatric programs with health concentrations on pre-diabetes, obesity, and toxic stress, and teaches dance in her free time.

 

 

This webinar will review the evidence base for the applications of mindfulness training in the classroom, as well as how it can support teachers. Currently, during the COVID-19 Pandemic, educators are experiencing a drastic change in their teaching and day-to-day work. In addition, many educators have high expectations that can be hard to achieve right now. All of which can contribute to stress and negatively impact emotional and physical wellbeing. When a person’s body is habitually in a stressed state or “crisis mode”, cognition is altered (impeding attention, memory, and emotional regulation). Many of the body’s physiological systems are also altered, leading to increased risk of chronic disease down the road, as well as an increase in depression and anxiety.

Mindfulness training in adults has been shown to significantly reduce the experience of stress, depression, and anxiety while simultaneously increasing emotional regulation and sustained attentional control. This session will address the link between stress and health outcomes in adults and children, and provide evidence-based practices to mediate the negative effects of stress. Examples and practice experience will be provided from the authors’ work in developing and delivering “Create a Healthy Tomorrow: Stress Strategies for Children” to schools across Tucson. Several mindfulness tools that build students’ (and teachers’) ability to self-regulate will be interactively modeled and practiced.

Speakers

Gloria G. Irigoyen-Montijo, BS, CFP, CHWC

Employee, Patient Health Improvement and Wellness Program Coordinator @El Rio Health

Gloria G. Irigoyen-Montijo, BS, CFP, CHWC, is the Employee, Patient Health Improvement and Wellness Program Coordinator for El Rio Health, a federally qualified health center in Tucson, Arizona with a special interest in disease prevention and intervention through education and exercise. Gloria is the co-creator of the award-winning Create a Healthy Tomorrow: Stress Strategies for Children. Gloria has a background in education and behavioral health working with at-risk youth and high toxic stress populations.

Kyla James

Child and Family Wellness Program Coordinator @El Rio Health

Kyla James is a Child and Family Wellness Program Coordinator with El Rio Health, a federally qualified health center in Tucson, Arizona. She is a graduate of UCLA, University College London with a Masters degree in Educational Neuroscience, and the University of Arizona with a Masters of Public Health. She is the co-creator of the award-winning Create a Healthy Tomorrow: Stress Strategies for Children curriculum and teaches the program in schools throughout the Tucson area. Kyla coordinates pediatric programs with health concentrations on pre-diabetes, obesity, and toxic stress, and teaches dance in her free time.

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  • For questions regarding this resource, please contact Tucson Regional Educator Collaborative.
  • Contact Name: Alicia Durbin
  • Email Address: trecarizona@arizona.edu