My Interview on Mindful Writing for the National Council of Teachers of English

 Here's a link to my interview, "What Does Mindfulness Offer Teachers," for The Chronicle, the publication of the National Council of Teachers of English:

https://library.ncte.org/journals/CC/issues/v30-2/30949

New Mindful Writing Webinar Starts Tomorrow (Saturday, January 8) at NCTE

The future seems brighter, but at the same time, increasingly more is asked of teachers. We face furloughs, policy changes, and classrooms that are online one day and in person the next — all the while needing to grade, prepare lessons, and serve the emotional needs and well-being of our students. We are at risk for burn-out and COVID fatigue. This series will help teachers refuel and find balance as we take the turn into a new year. 

In each session, participants will be invited to do a guided meditation and then a restorative activity that combines writing with mindfulness, including already-perfect meditation, working with preconceptions and story lines, caricature of our internalized critics, and mantra for self-compassion. Along the way we will revisit and practice a few of the mindfulness activities from the September series. By writing in the moment, we can relax into the present and take care of ourselves.

Some sessions will include guest speakers and experts on mindfulness with an opportunity for Q–&-A. Guest speakers will be listed below as they are confirmed.

Please note: This series is not sequential. Feel free to join one, two, or any number of the sessions—whatever works with your schedule. Each date will be a unique time to get together and meet you where you are. 

There is no cost for this event for active NCTE members. Not yet a member? Join us! Nonmembers also have the option to participate for $10 per session ($60 for the series); you will need to create an NCTE account to register. To register: https://ncte.org/rsvp-mindful-writing-series/

On January 23 our guest is Christa Turksma. On February 13 our guest is Dido Balla. 

I'll Be Giving a Talk on Tuesday on Mindful Writing Mantra

The combined annual Conference on Writing and Well-Being and the second University of Nevada, Reno Crossings Conference will take place this week, virtually, on January 3-5, 2021: University of Reno Conference

I'm honored to be included in the line-up of speakers: Cornell West (keynote/free & open to the public); Peggy McIntosh; Gailmarie Pahmeier; Krista Ratcliffe; Ira Shor; Yvonne Stedham; Russell Stone and Robert Yagelski. On Tuesday, I'll be giving a talk, "This Very Moment is Perfect for Writing," in which I'll lead participants through the tenets of mindful writing theory and help them develop a mindful writing mantra.