CHAPTERS
Western USA
Hawaii-none yet
Idaho-none yet
Montana-none yet
Nevada-none yet
New Mexico-none yet
Oklahoma-none yet
Oregon-none yet
Utah-none yet
Wyoming-none yet
Central USA
Alabama-none yet
Arkansas-none yet
Iowa-none yet
Kansas-none yet
Louisiana-none yet
Mississippi-none yet
Nebraska-none yet
North Dakota-none yet
Ohio-none yet
Tennessee-none yet
Eastern USA
Delaware-none yet
Florida-none yet
Georgia-none yet
Maryland-none yet
South Carolina-none yet
West Virginia-none yet
International
Chapters are the heart of our mission and where inspired grassroots action happens. Our vision is to have free chapter meetings (communities of practice) throughout each school year, happening all across the world, with educators supporting and mentoring each other as they implement holistic approaches to education at their schools.
Most chapter meetings are 1-2 hours long and have the following format:
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Introductions
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Mindfulness Activity and Reflection Exercise
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Presentation of Learning Topic (examples: guest speaker, chapter from a book, lesson plan from a curriculum)
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Discussion of Topic
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Build Practice Toolkit for Teaching Mindfulness Practices to Students
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Sharing and Information Exchange
By the end of 2020, we are hoping to have a Chapter Coordinator (or Co-Coordinators) in each US state to manage the state chapter's Facebook group and be the main email contact for their state (or country) when educators have questions about chapter meetings and activities. The Chapter Coordinator can also do outreach to find chapter meeting host locations and facilitators in their state or country.
Each state or country's chapter will grow organically as more and more chapter meeting facilitators volunteer to host meetings in their areas. No mindfulness expertise needed to be a coordinator or facilitator; just a passion for connecting educators and growing the movement.
We have monthly video conferencing Chapter Organization Meetings to help everyone get started and learn from each other. We also have a shared Google folder to share resources between chapters and stay organized. See the calendar below for the Chapter Organization Meeting dates as well as in-person chapter meeting dates (times are shown in US Central time) in each state. All are invited to all meetings listed, including our Board and Conference Planning Meetings.
To join a video meeting, click this link: https://meet.google.com/skz-ojdd-dji
Otherwise, to join by phone, dial +1 774-512-2453 and enter this PIN: 649 438 164#
Once chapters get rolling and membership grows, chapters can also organize expert trainings, retreats, workshops or mini-conferences for educators. Our goal is to create partnerships with large corporations, insurance companies, local community organizations, and family foundations to help bring free and low-cost learning opportunities to educators through our chapters, especially in areas that would not otherwise have access to trainings.
Alaska
Chapter Coordinator:
Monica Claridge
Kodiak, AK
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Arizona
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
California
San Diego Section
Meeting Facilitator:
Craig Collins
Santa Clara Section
Meeting Facilitator:
Jennifer Holling-Blake
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators and more meeting facilitators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Colorado
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Illinois
Chapter Coordinator:
Tracy Heilers
COSEM Founder & Executive Director
630 337 7452
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates:
Upcoming Events: We will have chapter meetings in each of the sections below during the school year. If you can facilitate meetings in another section of the state, contact Tracy. Subscribe for reminders to IL chapter meetings and other chapter-hosted events.
Northwest Suburbs Section
Meeting Facilitators: Lindsey Frank-Arlington Heights SD59, Ella Prejzner-Grow Mindfully
Chapter meetings start at 4:30 on Nov 6, Dec 5, Jan 7, Feb3, Mar 5, Apr 15, May 14, and June 4 at Arlington Heights Village Hall, 33 S. Arlington Heights Rd. RSVP for chapter meetings HERE. Questions? Contact .
Chicago Section
Meeting Facilitator: Elspeth Stowe-Grant-U of C Lab Schools, Annmarie Chereso-Bring It! Home
Chapter meetings will be from 4:30-6:00 on Nov 12, Dec 10, Jan 21, Mar 17, Apr 14, and May 19. They will be at the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. RSVP for chapter meetings HERE. Contact Elspeth at if you have questions or are able to co-facilitate the meetings with her.
Directions: The street address is 5835 S. Kimbark. The meeting will take place in Judd Hall C116. Participants should enter the building through Gordon Parks Arts Hall located at the corner of 58th and Kimbark. Everyone will need to ring the bell and check-in with security.
West Suburbs Section
Meeting Facilitators: Jenny Franz-Downers Grove South HS, Gene Olsen-SD 89
Chapter meetings will be from 4:30-6:30, on Dec 3, Jan 28, and April 7. Meetings are all at CASE DuPage, 22W600 Butterfield Rd in Glen Ellyn and they will provide 2 CEU/PD credits for each. Register for each chapter meeting separately HERE. Contact Jenny with any questions at jfranz@csd99.org.
Also! We've partnered with Glenbard Parent Series to bring the author of Alphabreaths and Raising Resilience, Dr. Chris Willard, to our area on Mar 10 and 11, 2020. Details HERE.
North Shore Section
Meeting Facilitators: Lauren Beversdorf-Bannockburn School, Matt Dewar-Lake Forest High School
Chapter meetings will be on Mondays from 4:30-5:30, on Dec 2 and Jan 27. They will be at North Shore Academy located at 760 Red Oak Lane in Highland Park. RSVP for chapter meetings HERE. Contact Lauren with any questions at
Dekalb Section
Meeting Facilitator: Miriam (Mimi) Ojaghi-SEL Consultant at Dekalb Regional Office of Education
Chapter meetings will be on Thursdays from 4:30-6:00, on Nov 14, Dec 12, Jan 9, Feb 13, Mar 12, Apr 9, and May 14. They will be at Dekalb ROE, 2500 North Annie Glidden Rd in Dekalb. For questions and to RSVP contact Mimi at mojaghi@dekalbcounty.org.
Local Mindfulness Resources:
Indiana
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Kentucky
Chapter Coordinator:
Monica Delano
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Michigan
Note: We are seeking a state chapter coordinator for MI.
Grand Rapids Section
Meeting Facilitator:
Patti Ward
Hancock/Houghton Section
Meeting Facilitator:
Liz Leach
West Shores Section
Meeting Facilitator:
Lisa Cobb
Traverse Bay Section
Meeting Facilitator:
Kristen Ryder
Montcalm County Section
Meeting Facilitator:
Kire Wierda
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Minnesota
Note: This is not a chapter, but just an existing educator group that has a Facebook group and meets in the Minneapolis area. Contact us if you'd like to coordinate a MN chapter or facilitate meetings in different areas of the state.
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/185438905146332/
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Missouri
Chapter Coordinator:
Jennie Young
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT)
Chapter Coordinator:
Joan Tetrault
P. Brent Trottier Middle School
Southborough, MA
Massachusetts Section
Meeting Facilitator:
Gretchen Hibben
P. Brent Trottier Middle School
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: Thank you to the educators who attended our launch event in Southborough, MA in April and our 2nd meeting in Dover, NH in July. Our third meeting will be in November. Subscribe to learn about upcoming meetings. Contact Joan if you'd like to facilitate chapter meetings in your area/section of our multi-state chapter.
Local Mindfulness Resources: More coming soon
CT Teachers for Yoga and Mindfulness in Schools Facebook group
New Jersey
Chapter Coordinator:
Our coordinator moved so we are seeking a new one.
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
New York
Chapter Coordinator:
Sara Oliveiri
Rochester, NY
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
North Carolina
Chapter Co-Coordinator:
Melinda Willingham
Alamance-Burlington School System
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: Thank you to the educators that attended the mindfulness retreat in August hosted by York Elementary!
Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Pennsylvania
Chapter Coordinator:
Cindy Goldberg
Mindfulness Consultant and Coach
Jenkintown, PA
mindfulnesswithcindy@gmail.com
215 901 4383
Philadelphia Section
Meeting Facilitator:
Stacey Mandel
Founder of Bubbles and Flashlights
Bryn Mawr, PA
Pittsburgh Section
Meeting Facilitator:
Tina Raspanti
Mt. Lebanon School District
CARE Facilitator
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: Thank you to the 40+ educators who attended our first event at Arcadia University on August 5 from 9-12 in Glenside. Subscribe to learn about our next events. Share your ideas for next events with us!
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming Soon
South Dakota
Chapter Coordinator:
Sheila Anderson
Britton, SD
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Texas
Chapter Coordinator:
We are seeking this position
Allen Section
Meeting Facilitator:
Karen Hunnicutt
Facebook group: Coming soon
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Virginia
Chapter Coordinator:
Julie Chamberlain
Williamsburg, VA
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Washington DC
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: Thank you to the educators who attended the Budding Brains one day conference at Horace Mann Elementary School. Here is a video with highlights. We'll host another in January of 2020. Subscribe to learn details on this and chapter meetings. We are seeking chapter meeting facilitators to have monthly meetings throughout the DC area. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Wisconsin
Chapter Coordinator:
Our first coordinator is no longer able; we are seeking a new coordinator.
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the state you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on our Facebook group.
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
Canada
Ontario Chapter Coordinator:
Angela Ventrice
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the country you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on the Ontario chapter Facebook group. Let us know if you want to start a chapter in another area of the country!
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon
United Kingdom
Scotland Chapter Coordinator:
David Hooper
Facebook group:
Subscribe to Chapter Updates: Google form coming soon
Upcoming Events: We haven't had any chapter meetings yet. Subscribe to let us know what area of the country you live and once we gather some interested educators, we'll plan some chapter meetings in the areas where they live. Until then, let's stay connected on the Scotland chapter Facebook group. Let us know if you want to start a chapter in another area of the country!
Local Mindfulness Resources: Coming soon