Mindfulness Instructor - Richmond

Key Mindsets

The Mindfulness Instructor is passionate and motivated to provide mindfulness based social emotional learning programs to students, educators and families at MLP partner schools. The person in this role will work well individually, work well in teams and closely align with, and represent, MLP’s mission, vision and values (Mindfulness, Self-Awareness, Curiosity, Social Justice, and Celebration) within the MLP team and with the school they serve. The individual in this role is an excellent communicator and exemplifies professionalism. They also have a deep passion for building strong connections with the MLP team and within the school community.  This individual will show up consistently, with dedication to the school they are placed at.  This individual will also enjoy creating strong and transformative relationships with the members of the school they serve.

Position Description

The Mindfulness Instructor will deliver MLP curriculum in whole class settings and small group settings
 throughout the regular school day.  The Mindful Life Projects’ curriculum delivers one lesson weekly to each classroom at a partner school site for the entire school year. In small group settings, the Mindful Life Instructor will weave mindfulness lessons from MLP’s curriculum that also includes Mindful Movement, Expressive Arts and Performing Arts. Along with instruction, the Mindfulness Instructor will also raise awareness within the school community by distributing materials, preparing special student projects, and connecting and collaborating with school staff and school leadership. In addition, the Mindfulness Instructor is expected to attend mandatory MLP meetings, complete student, class, or school reports as necessary and will be supervised by the Program Specialist.

Specific Responsibilities including but not limited to:

Class Instruction

• Deliver Mindful Life Project curriculum in whole classroom settings, small group settings and two-on-one settings in a safe and engaging manner.


• Follow MLP best practices in student engagement, classroom management and trauma informed care.


• Provide support and guidance to school students through a mindfulness based lens, collaborating with MLP admin and school site leadership.


• Be prepared and organized to lead MLP programs with high fidelity.


• Comply with all necessary school district requirements regarding student services at school sites.


• Abide by all Mindful Life Project, School, and District policies and procedures.

Professional Development / Reporting Student Progress

• Attend and complete all required Mindful Life Project professional training in person and/or online.


• Attend all required meetings.


• Follow MLP protocols and policies with consistency.


• Collaborate closely with school staff and MLP admin to meet the needs of the students in our programs.


• Facilitate student assessments and complete reports as required.

Integrating Mindfulness in School Community 

• Promote positive public awareness of Mindful Life Project and our practices 


• Offer weekly school site staff mindful sessions


• Offer weekly family mindfulness sessions.


• Collaborate with Program team throughout the year on how best to support whole school mindfulness implementation 


• Attend school site staff meetings 


• Attend Back to School night, Open House, and MLP family nights.


• Collaborate with school site staff to incorporate mindfulness practices in their classrooms


• Share mindfulness resources with school staff and families.


• Attend MLP’s community events.


• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience - working with  K-8 aged children in a structured environment


• Technical - Proficient in Google Suite 


• Experience – Experience as a classroom teacher, substitute teacher, after school program coordinator or educator in other settings 


• Mindfulness - Strong understanding, and experience, with mindfulness practices aligned with MBSR (Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction) 


• Reliable transportation to get to and from the school site

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity, or experience with facilitating
  mindfulness and social emotional learning in schools 


• Spanish Speaking 


• Education – Bachelor’s degree 

Skills:

• Strong instructional practices that provide high student engagement, strong classroom management 


• Experience with trauma informed student engagement.


• Ability to articulate the value of mindfulness practices and tools to students, educators and families.


• Excellent communication and facilitation skills.


• Excellent organizational and time management skills.


• Ability to multitask


• Must possess good judgment and exercise diplomacy in dealing with a variety of school situations.


• Ability to interact skillfully with a diverse constituent of students, staff and families  in school communities.


• Ability to form strong connections with youth from varying backgrounds.


• Ability to deliver  curriculum in engaging and relevant ways.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to move between multiple classrooms on school campus over the course of the school day


• Ability to carry up to 20 lbs. of equipment when necessary.

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS REFLECT THE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR JOB PERFORMANCE AND ARE NOT TO BE CONSIDERED AN ALL-INCLUSIVE LIST.  ALL STAFF ARE EXPECTED TO SUPPORT THE MISSION AND VALUES OF MINDFUL LIFE PROJECT.

Equal Opportunity Employer

MLP is an equal employment opportunity employer. Our organization's policy is not to discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. The organization also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any of these protected categories.