Teens Their Brains on Mindfulness, Summer 2022

An online course with 12 WA state clock hours for educators.

Knowledge and resources for educators to understand the teen brain and how to promote learning and support well-being with students through mindful awareness practices.

June 28 - August 9, 2022

Online learning (at your own pace), plus three live Zoom Calls

Practices and resources in between Zoom Calls

Google group for discussions and questions

Zoom Calls on Tuesdays, 4:00 - 5:30 PM Pacific Time

June 28, July 12, August 9

Curriculum Modules Include:

• Neuroplasticity. Learn how the brain wires together and the unique opportunity teens have for learning new skills and building resilience and stress management for life. 
• Core Needs and the Brain’s Negativity Bias. Understand the Brain’s Negativity Bias and how this impacts teens. Why learning mindful practices now is important.
• How Emotions Drive Learning and Behavior. Learn the science and strategies for teens to manage emotions and set themselves up for academic and life success.
• The Nervous System and our Stress Response. Understand how the stress response is wired with tools for navigating it more effectively so you can share this with your students.
• How to Use Emotions as Guides, Not Directors. Humans are driven by emotions.  Support teens to develop specific mindfulness-based tools and strategies to regulate their emotions.
• The Amazing Teen Brain. An overview of the unique changes and challenges of Adolescent Brain Remodeling and how to positively influence this remodeling process.
• ESSENCE and Vulnerabilities. Utilize cutting edge neuroscience research to help teens use their unique strengths to navigate life’s challenges.
• Stress and the Teen Brain. Learn why teens are so vulnerable to the impacts of stress and what you can do today to help them. 
• The Internal Compass. Support teens to develop an internal compass by using evidence-based strategies and practices youth can put into practice immediately.  
• Compassion, Savoring, and Gratitude.  Practices and competencies rooted in Positive Psychology to set up teens for self-kindness and noticing the positive in life.

Reflection/evaluation following 8-week course to receive 12 WA State Clock Hours. Course includes 10 lesson plans plus an e-book of activities to include in your classroom to promote attention, safety, relationships, stress management, and well-being.

Early bird registration, $229 before June 15, 2022. $279 regular registration. Partial scholarships of $110 are provided thanks to the generosity of Foundry10. Please pay the full amount if your school or organization pays for professional learning, or the partial scholarship rate if you are paying for this program personally.

Past Participant Comments:

"The instructors were wonderful. They were responsive, adjusted quickly to what people were bringing to the sessions and answered questions fully. I felt very safe and prepared for the work."

"This was wonderful and I have already recommended it to several colleagues."

"I thoroughly enjoyed this course, instructors were wonderful and I appreciated the whole class as a group, thank you!"

Core Instructors

Marci Reichert (she/her) is the Health and Wellness Manager at Isidore Newman School, a pre-K - 12 independent school. She began her career began in 2002 as a Family Therapist with underserved youth and their families.  Her youth work has grown and has included working at Planned Parenthood, Eckstein Middle School (through Space Between), Lakeside Middle School, the LEEP program in the summer among other youth focused programs. With almost 20 years in Health and Wellness education Marci believes healthy teens begins with understanding the brain and implementing mindfulness strategies and programs.  Marci has her MA in Systems Counseling and is a certified yoga teacher.  

Kim Armstrong (she/her) is a Co-founder and Co-Director of Space Between. She practices mindfulness in order to know, see, and feel what is really important in life. Her favorite mindfulness quote is “Live the actual moment. Only this actual moment is life” by Thich Nhat Hanh. Kim has a masters in Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Washington and is a certified meditation teacher and 500 hour yoga teacher. Kim’s super power is deep listening with full presence. When she isn’t managing operational details, she can be found strumming chords on her guitar. What she wants you to know is “I am much more fun and less serious than I appear! Ask me about Forest Bathing or Zumba.” 

Guest Instructors

Tai Mattox (she/her) is a Co-Director of Space Between. Tai practices mindfulness in order to better manage her emotions and find equanimity amidst the highs and lows of life. Her favorite mindfulness quote is “trees will do that; make you stop and breathe.” by Mariah Carey. Tai has a BS from Cornell University and is a Certified Meditation Instructor (Chopra Center) and RYT200 Yoga Teacher. She is a certified and licensed vibrational sound therapy practitioner. Tai’s super power is conveying challenging information with grace and guiding others to slow down. super power is deep listening with full presence. The Manhattan’s “Kiss and Say Goodbye” and Crystal Gales “You Light Up My Life” are two of her favorite Karaoke staples. She is a great back-up singer if you ever need one. What Tai wants you to know is “I am passionate about helping people slow down and take time for themselves. Mindfulness is an excellent way to do that.”

Kara-Lee Ruotolo (she/her) is a Co-Director of Space Between. Kara-Lee practices mindfulness in order to be her most authentic and healthy self. Her favorite mindfulness quote is “Be aware of the contact between your feet and the earth. Walk as if you are kissing the earth with your feet.” by Thich Nhat Hanh. Kara-Lee has a Masters in Education and Mental Health Counseling from Seattle University. She is a Certified Mindfulness Teacher (Mindful Schools and Growing Up Mindful) and a Certified Kids and Family Yoga Teacher. Kara-Lee’s super power is connecting people with others and reflecting their own light back to them. She can hardly refrain from dancing when she hears the fiddle or bagpipes. Her Nova Scotia roots run deep and she has memories of performing the Scottish fling in a tartan when just a wee one. What Kara-Lee wants you to know is “Swimming in op