Product reviews for The Mindful Teacher's Handbook

<div><em>The Mindful Teacher's Handbook</em><span><span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span>is an essential addition to any school's professional learning library. It provides practical activities, underpinned by research and evidence of impact, which support busy teachers to manage their wellbeing and build their resilience – not only in times of stress but in their everyday practice. As a practitioner herself, Kamalagita understands the pressures that education practitioners face and this understanding, along with her empathy, makes this a very accessible and helpful book.</span></div>

<p>An increasing number of teachers at all levels are finding the challenge of increasing workloads, additional behavioural and emotional problems exhibited by learners, alongside a wide range of other issues linked to management and resources, overbearing and stressful. As a consequence, many are suffering emotional burn out, leaving the profession or reluctant to apply for managerial roles and additional responsibility. In addition, enrolment for teacher training courses has failed to reach target levels.</p>
<p>Kamalagita Hughes has compiled a broad range of practical strategies for teachers based around mindfulness, enabling readers to gain greater insight, awareness and practical application of strategies that empower them to address their personal needs to find calm. The key feature of mindfulness is based on self-preservation by cultivating an attribution of kindness towards yourself.</p>
<p>Readers will gain from the wide range of practical mindful exercises to try and then reflect within the What Did You Notice sections. They will also gain from the analysis of a wide range of case studies, including the practice structured within the new curriculum in Wales. This is a welcome addition to the literature addressing the personal needs and pragmatic negative issues impacting work/life balance experienced by an increasing number of teachers and support staff.  It will be an asset for all managers in schools and FE colleges to make a difference.</p>

<p><em>The Mindful Teacher’s Handbook</em> is a book for every teacher and leader in an ever-changing world. The book is well timed, as we begin our new curriculum journey in Wales, with a real focus on how we all need to focus on our own health and well-being: we can only care for our students with empathy and love if we ‘mind our own minds’. There is nothing ‘woolly’ about this book; it is written with authenticity and is rooted in classroom experience. The section on using mindfulness as a tool for responding to some of the behaviours we are all seeing in the post-COVID-19 classroom is both refreshing and useful. </p>
<p>Overall, there is a toughness about this writing: an insistence on the absolute need to build in mindfulness that I found compelling and very real. I see a need for this handbook in my school and in every school.</p>

<p>What an uplifting read. <em>The Mindful Teacher’s Handbook</em> is exactly what every teacher needs to have within arm’s reach at all times. It’s easily accessible, taking you through a series of mindfulness exercises which gradually become habit-forming. Since reading the book, I’ve found myself constantly (sometimes unconsciously) going through some of the exercises and enjoying the positive impact mindfulness can have. </p>
<p>For teachers, it is invaluable. There are exercises to suit every scenario, whether it’s handling a challenging class, preparing for an inspection or a lesson observation. It also provides the reader with practical exercises to do at home and on the way to and from work. </p>
<p>All the exercises are easy to follow and are practical for the situation they refer to. Having read through the book once (which I’d recommend doing initially), it is an ideal book to dip into whenever you need to take that step back, explore how you are feeling and take ownership of the way you handle negative emotions and energy, or make the most of the positive energy within you. </p>
<p>If you are a school or department leader, this book can transform your team. It will ensure ‘workplace enjoyment’, ‘clarity of mind’ and ‘positive relationships’ become three terms people will use to describe those you work with. </p>

<p>Absolutely delighted to review this informative, evidence-based and helpful handbook from Kalamagita Hughes. Harnessing the principles of a whole school approach to emotional well-being using person-centred approaches<a href="applewebdata://CD106763-6F53-4E1D-9033-E7F89340F22E#_msocom_1" name="_msoanchor_1">[CG1]</a> , this book is much needed at a time when COVID-19 has exacerbated concerns about children and young people’s mental health and the role of community action. The strategies to promote well-being in our communities will be fundamental to tackling this issue and Kalamagita portrays this beautifully in structured and easy-to-read instructions. The reader will be able to understand the biological reasons, practise and evaluate the outcomes of their interventions and ensure the whole school community benefits from emotional regulation in the promotion of relationships and well-being. A much-needed resource!</p>

<p><em>The Mindful Teacher's Handbook</em> removes the mystery from mindfulness but leaves the impact on your well-being and the enjoyment to be had from trying this out. This book takes mindfulness directly into your classroom – ideal for busy teachers personally and professionally. Filled with practical examples and clear explanations, you'll find useful information and ideas whether you're new to mindfulness or already have some experience.</p>
<p>If you've ever wondered if mindfulness might have something to offer your own well-being or that of your pupils, this comprehensive but accessible book will guide you to a decision. As a busy teacher you'll appreciate the clear and succinct descriptions of mindfulness, how it can help and why it works, set directly in the context of school/college settings and relevant situations. It's written for teachers by a teacher whose classroom experience shows through on every page.</p>
<p>There are lots of accessible mindful activities for you to try yourself – the book emphasises the primacy of being mindful yourself and paying attention to your own well-being – but there are examples of mindfulness activities to try with learners of all ages too. And if you want to take it further, there is a comprehensive list of resources and relevant training.</p>

<p>I really like this book. What I like about it is that it’s realistic and useful. Kamalagita has written accessibly for the busy teacher-reader and it is full of exercises and systems that support a more mindful approach to the day-to-day stresses of school life. It’ll help teachers rediscover the joy in what they do.</p>

<p>Kamalagita’s vast experience as a mindfulness trainer, teacher of young people and collaborator with schools on their mindfulness journey means that she is in a unique position to write this accessible guide to a more spacious life. </p>
<p>The combination of research-based evidence and personal testimonies from teachers and school leaders, along with the raft of practical exercises that can be implemented immediately, make this a powerful educator’s handbook for our troubled times. </p>
<p>If you allow Kamalagita’s empathetic voice to speak to you as you enter classrooms and walk along corridors, as I have done, I am confident that you will quickly feel that working life and home life are both more manageable and enjoyable. </p>
<p>Over-committing, being overwhelmed and negative self-talk are familiar patterns in our high-pressure environment. Kamalagita’s easily learnt techniques are a lifeline that remind us we are not alone in experiencing or dealing with stress. They provide quick fixes, as well as the opportunity for more sustained change to work–life balance. </p>
<p>Whether you are new to teaching, a hardened professional with many years of experience, a classroom assistant or a senior leader, this book has something for you. Kamalagita gives us permission to recognise that we are all human and that we share many more of our common day-to-day experiences than we might like to think. </p>
<p>I hope that Kamalgita’s case studies and work with strategic leads inspire teachers and leaders to take up the challenge of making their schools more mindful for students and staff. The evidence presented is clear – there will be a positive impact for individuals, institutions, families and society. </p>

<p>There is widespread concern about the mental well-being of children and young people. Teachers are such an important influence on their lives. With so many teachers experiencing stress themselves, it is all the more important to have practical ideas to help. This is an excellent introduction to mindfulness, offering many practical exercises to help teachers manage the ‘internal weather’ that daily events frequently stir up. When people feel less stressed, less at risk of burnout and more focused on the purpose that brought them into teaching in the first place, it is also a valuable help for all the children they teach and influence. The testimonies of the people who have benefitted are woven through this straightforward and practical guide.</p>

<p>This is an easy-to-follow, practical and useful handbook for busy teachers, written by someone who clearly understands both mindfulness and the pressures of the classroom and staffroom. It provides a clear and approachable introduction to mindfulness theory and practice which is enough to help a ‘beginner’ get going and enticing enough to lead on those who take to it (and not all teachers will, of course) into further practice and study. What is particularly novel and helpful is the application of mindfulness practice to the everyday and potentially difficult experiences all teachers will know well, such as transitions, the dreaded inspections and meeting with challenging parents and colleagues.</p>

<p>Thank you for such a great book for educational professionals. It is certainly a must-read.</p>
<p>The book provides a clear insight into mindfulness, starting with its background and how mindfulness can be applied within the educational setting. The practical tips are easily applied to activities within the classroom, especially to self-regulate – for both staff and students! With health and well-being becoming a focus within the new curriculum, this book is a must for all teachers.</p>

<p> As the well-being imperative in schools and colleges grows ever more urgent, <em>The Mindful Teacher's Handbook</em> has to be a go-to resource for anyone in education who wants to thrive in their role and take meaningful well-being practice in schools to a new and necessary level. Kamalagita acts as our guide as she thoughtfully explores and connects the science, practice and benefits of mindfulness, sharing clear strategies and exercises that are both teacher-friendly and supported by engaging discussions. </p>
<p>Kamalagita knows first-hand the influence those in education can have on young minds and argues that if we want to equip our children so that they develop essential life skills for mental health, they need to be in learning environments with adults who prioritise their own well-being.</p>
<p>From checking in on your ‘internal weather’ to managing the stress of inspections, Kamalagita tackles the challenges faced by teachers in a clear and practical way so that anyone, whether they are new to mindfulness or experienced, will find something to nurture and boost their personal and professional life.</p>
<p>If you are a teacher and you're wading through a long list of must-read educational books, documents and initiatives to be the best teacher you can for yourself and your students, put this book on the top of your pile and start here.</p>

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Dyma gyfle i addysgwyr ddysgu mwy am feddylgarwch boed yn ymarferwyr eisoes neu'n newydd i'r maes. Mae naws groesawgar y llyfr yma yn cynnig cyfoeth o wybodaeth, ac yn esbonio meddylgarwch mewn ffordd glir, syml a ffeithiol. Mae cefndir addysg yr awdures yn sicrhau bod yr adnodd yma nid yn unig yn berthnasol ond yn ddefnyddiol gydag enghreifftiau penodol ar gyfer adegau prysur y flwyddyn academaidd. Ceir sawl astudiaeth achos o bob cwr o fyd addysg sy'n sicrhau bod y darllenwyr yn cael y gorau o'r weithgaredd neu'r syniad o'r cychwyn cyntaf. Adnodd defnyddiol i'w ddefnyddio ym myd addysg am flynyddoedd - diolch Kamalagita. </span></p>

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">This is an opportunity for educators to learn more about mindfulness, whether they practise regularly or are new to the field. This book's welcoming atmosphere offers a wealth of information and explains mindfulness in a clear, simple and factual way. The author's education background ensures that this resource is not only relevant but useful, with specific examples for the busy periods of the academic year. Many case studies are included from all areas of education which ensures that users are able to make the most of an activity or idea from the outset. A useful resource to use in the world of education for years to come – thank you, Kamalagita.</span></p>

<p>A marvellous handbook to support teachers with mindfulness. Kamalagita has created a wealth of knowledge and research-based activities that are also aided by some great resources to track progress.</p>
<p>As an educationalist, if you were in two minds about whether mindfulness is for you, fear not. This book is crammed with some fabulous exercises that will help you find peace, balance and a new sense of energy and focus. It’s an easy-to-read, well-planned book which guides you effortlessly through the why, what and how of mindfulness implementation. I thoroughly enjoyed reading and practising many of the techniques. Thank you, Kamalagita, for a lovely magical mindfulness handbook for teachers. </p>

<p>The work of teaching our young people is one of the most important and impactful jobs to engage in. It is also challenging, stressful and time squeezed. How can teachers look after themselves, remain creative and keep in touch with their love for their vocation in the midst of these pressures? Get this book and allow it to be an ongoing companion to your journey. Keep revisiting the pages. It offers rich resources supporting you to keep your mindfulness practice going and creatively adapt it to you and your life. It also gives you very practical ideas, tailored to the school teaching context, on how to realise the fruits of your mindfulness practice in everyday life – both during routine and high-stress times. If you are a schoolteacher, this book has your back.</p>

<p>This is a superb toolkit for all staff whether you are new to the profession, an experienced teacher or member of the school leadership team. What I love about the book is that regardless of your perceptions or thoughts about mindfulness, there is such a strong focus on well-being and responding (not reacting!) to the busy school lives that we all lead. The layout is very easy to navigate, and each chapter has excellent activities that are so simple to implement without a huge amount of preparation. Highly recommend this as a book of choice for anyone working in a school environment. I will definitely be dipping in and sharing with colleagues – wonderful to have all this rich material at our fingertips!</p>

<p>We all know how stressful it can be working in the education sector. This is a practical book full of great ideas and written by an author who understands the pressures faced by educationalists. Thoroughly recommend.</p>