Mindfulness can be described as a state of active awareness and open attention on the present. Commonly associated with certain practices common to the world’s great religions, in the past 30 years scientific investigations have produced a significant body of evidence demonstrating the efficacy of such practices on the enhancement of focus, attention, and stress-hardiness. Incorporating these simple but profound practices in the classroom can have positive impact upon student (and teacher!) learning, behavior, and wellbeing.

This collaborative presentation by Marjetka Brencic, MYP coordinator and science teacher at Danila Kumar International School in Ljubljana, Slovenia and brain, learning, and wellbeing educator and author, Tim Burns, provides an overview of these findings, the opportunity to engage in the practices, and to learn about the use of mindfulness practice in the school setting. Importantly, the presentation will also include considerations of mindfulness practice for teacher wellbeing as well.

Tim Burns

Tim Burns is an educator and author whose background includes over thirty years of experience. 

Tim Burns is an educator and author whose background includes over thirty years of experience as public school teacher and counselor, First Offender Program facilitator, adolescent and family drug-treatment program director, university instructor, professional development consultant and conference presenter.

Since 1986, he has taught graduate and undergraduate courses for the Division of Extended Studies, Adams State College, Alamosa, Colorado. Over the years, he has provided conference keynote addresses and workshops to over three thousand schools and educational organizations in over 25 countries throughout North and South America, Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.

Tim’s popular brain presentations encompass students, grades pre-K through high school, faculty and parents.