MINDFUL LEADERS 

Apprentice Program

Mindfulness & Conflict Resolution for Young People

The Mindful Leaders Apprentice Program is a series of three, 7-week courses, designed using a gradual release model. By the completion of the program, apprentices will have the capacity to teach mindfulness to their teachers and peers, while also having the ability to serve as peer ambassadors who help resolve low-level conflict in their schools. The courses include the following:

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Mindfulness + Me

Mindfulness + Others

Course 1

Course 2

Teaching Mindfulness

Course 3

Mindfulness + Me introduces apprentices to mindfulness. Apprentices increase self-discipline and self-awareness and learn to meditate for up to 20 to 30 minutes daily.

Mindfulness + Others teaches mindfulness in relationships. Apprentices learn key communication, relationship building, and conflict resolution skills.

Teaching Mindfulness prepares apprentices to teach mindfulness. Apprentices graduate to Mindful Leaders who design a mindfulness professional development and can teach mindfulness to peers and teachers in small groups, as well as assist peers in resolving low-level conflicts.

Dialogue Circle Design & Social-Emotional Competence

MLAP utilizes a dialogue circle design. Circles are informed by the principles and practices of Restorative Justice & Restorative Practices, which prioritize relationship building through attentive listening, empathy, and non-judgment. Coupled with key MLAP and mindfulness practices, MLAP explicitly and implicitly cultivates Social-Emotional Competence.

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Impacts & Outcomes

Increased Social-Emotional Competence

Mindfulness practice increases self-awareness, social awareness and empathy.

Improved Focus & Problem Solving

Mindfulness enables increased focus and attention; it also reduces rumination, increases the capacity for problem solving.

Capacity to Resolve Interpersonal Conflict

Mindfulness reduces reactivity and increases response-ability. As mindful awareness increases, so too does responsiveness and resilence.

Increased Sense of Belonging

Dialogue Circles and mindfulness increase sense of belonging as both encourage trust-building and non-judgment.

Improved Communication Skills

Increased affective listening and affective response deepen communication skills.

Positive Sense of Self

Mindfulness can increase non-judgment, self-acceptance, and self-compassion.