MBSEL MICRO-CREDENTIAL
The MBSEL Micro-Credential Program through Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully is grounded in research and best practice and lets others know that you have knowledge of the fundamentals of Mindfulness-Based Social and Emotional Learning (MBSEL) and have the skillset to lead basic MBSEL practices and lessons.
It is for educators committed to the integration of mindfulness-based practices throughout their school day to create a foundation for healing and all learning. Details below. Watch part 1 and part 2 of our informational meeting to learn more. Contact us with any questions.

What is MBSEL?
Mindfulness is the ability to pay attention to the present moment with kindness and curiosity; it is an innate and intentional quality of mind developed from inside-out embodied experiences over time. Most social and emotional learning (SEL) curriculums and lessons utilize explicit instruction for an outside-in skill-building approach. Mindfulness-Based Social and Emotional Learning (MBSEL) blends these two approaches and entails a consistent integration of mindfulness practices with SEL lessons and skills to develop our inner capacity to self-regulate.
Stress and trauma impact how our brain functions, making it harder to regulate emotions, focus, and learn. A foundation of mindfulness strengthens critical brain networks and widens our window of tolerance to stress, allowing us to put our learned SEL skills into action and more fully face situations that arise with creativity and compassion. Think of mindfulness as the plate that supports and enhances executive functioning, healing, and all learning. Learn more about how mindfulness and SEL work together here.
What is a Micro-Credential?
A micro-credential is a form of recognition and a signal of competency with a specific skill or subject matter. It is not a certification or a guarantee of teacher quality. You can share your micro-credential with your evaluator, on your resume, or under your email signature.
This is the only micro-credential in MBSEL available and our collaborative and mentorship-centered learning environment sets our micro-credential apart from others in the education field. In addition to required learning and submission of artifacts (evidence of competence), you also join our professional membership community for continued learning together.
Overview of Program and Process:
Our micro-credential process includes investigating a wide variety of curriculums and resources, studying, practicing, planning, and then leading lessons that meet the needs of your student group. Note: No curriculum is provided and we recommend continuing your learning with an intensive live training, MBSR Course, and/or certification course before or after earning your micro-credential.
This program is for our professional members and we have a Micro-Credential Group on our Member Site where you can see others’ artifacts, ask questions, and get feedback. It’s an online location to support each other and work together in the process of earning your micro-credential. Learning what others are doing in their classrooms and schools is inspiring and empowering!
Along with a digital badge, participants will earn 30 CEUs or PDHs upon completion. We also have the option to earn 2 graduate credits for completing our micro-credential. This will entail an additional fee of $90 with the University of Sioux Falls.
Time Commitment:
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6+ hours viewing 25 Foundational Learning Modules
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8+ hours reading Educating Mindfully book, creating an implementation plan, and writing the accompanying artifacts
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8+ hours researching, planning, teaching 6 MBSEL lessons, and writing the accompanying artifact
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40+ hours of personal meditation practice (spread over 6 months) and writing the accompanying artifact
Financial Investment:
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$79.99 for professional membership if you aren't already a member (scholarships available)
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Approximately $20 for our Educating Mindfully book; the price fluctuates on Amazon
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$200 for access to the learning modules
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$100 for artifact review and digital badge upon completion
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$90 extra if you want 2 graduate credits instead of 30 PD hours or CEUs
LEARNING MODULES
Members have access to 100+ recordings from past COSEM events in our Member Site's Learning Center to aid them on their journeys, but we wanted those pursuing our micro-credential to also have a concisely organized, CASEL-aligning set of essential teachings on the fundamentals of MBSEL from leaders in the field.
See below for your six instructors (alphabetical order) and the topics of their learning modules. There are 25 modules each about 15 minutes in length. Participants will have lifetime access to these teachings as long as they maintain their annual membership dues.
Overview of Foundational Learning Modules:
1. Introduction to Mindfulness-Based SEL (below)
2. Research and Introductory MBSEL Practices
3. Build Adult MBSEL Capacity
4. Why Teacher Self Awareness Matters
5. Common Teacher Objections
6. Neuroscience and the Nervous System
7. Trauma Informed and Culturally Responsive MBSEL
8. Embodiment
9. Mindful Movement and Yoga
10. Developing Self-Awareness of Thoughts
11. Starting a Formal Meditation Practice
12 Emotional Intelligence and Self-Regulation
13. Mindful Check-Ins and Mindful Spaces
14. Self-Awareness and Regulation Through Mindful Breathing
15. Stress Prevention and Intervention
16. Cultivating Social Awareness and Inclusion
17. Global Awareness and Interconnectedness
18. Healthy Relationships and Communication
19. Compassion for Self and Others
20. Resilience, Self-Care and Mindfulness
21. Mindfulness as an Equity Tool
22. SEL Skills for Equity and Inclusion
23. Implementation Process and Planning
24. Creating Conditions for Successful Structures
25. Mindful Leadership
ACTIONS
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Read this document to learn specifics about this program's required actions and artifacts and assessment process.
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Become a COSEM professional member here if you aren’t already.
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Contact the COSEM Team at hello@educatingmindfully.org and let them know if you'll be paying $200 by credit card or school PO/check.
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COSEM will provide a link to gain access to 25 Learning Modules in a special area of our view-trackable Learning Center.
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Purchase and read COSEM’s Educating Mindfully book, a field guide containing 40 short chapters each written by a different educator bringing mindfulness-based SEL into their classes and schools in different ways.
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Practice formal mindfulness for 6-months. The content in our Member Site's Learning Center will help you prioritize self-care and develop your personal practice.
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Research mindfulness programs and curriculums at educatingmindfully.org/resources and use or create 6 thoughtfully progressing lesson plans that meet the goals for your student group.
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Lead 6 different 15-minute (or longer) lessons with a group of 2 or more youth, pre-k through college age. If you no longer work in the classroom, you can propose an alternative lesson plan assignment and video artifact.
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Create an implementation plan for “educating mindfully” in your classroom (or in your role at your organization) and/or for expanding beyond your classroom/role to schoolwide, districtwide, or community.
ARTIFACTS & ASSESSMENT
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Written Analysis and Reflection via one Google doc
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Page 1- Reflect on your personal practice and your understanding of mindfulness qualities.
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Page 2- Share your takeaways and understandings from reading the book.
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Page 3- Share goals of your student group and brief descriptions of your lessons; analyze each lesson facilitation and share what you learned, student feedback, reflections, etc.
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Page 4- Share your "educating mindfully" implementation plan using a provided template.
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Video Lesson via one YouTube video
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Record 15 minutes of one of the lessons that you teach to your student group.
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Pay $100 here and fill out this submission form when all of your artifacts are ready for review. Be prepared to share one Google doc link containing all 4 pages (and not more than 4 pages) and one YouTube link for the video lesson.
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Artifacts will be reviewed by an educator experienced in MBSEL instruction in schools. They will use assessment rubrics to determine if the micro-credential is earned. Expect the review process to take 2 weeks.
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More details on assessment rubrics and required artifacts are here.

KHAYREE BEY
Neuroscience and the Nervous System, Equity Based, Trauma Informed and Culturally Responsive MBSEL, Developing Self-Awareness of Thoughts, Starting a Formal Meditation Practice
Khayree Bey (he/him), M.Ed., is 2021 Colonial School District/McCullough Middle School Teacher of the Year and 2019 SHAPE Delaware’s Health Teacher of the Year. He is on the Delaware Senate Standards Board, Delaware State Education Association Trainer Cadre, as is a Gift Global Delaware Save Lives Foundation Trainer. Khayree currently implements an equity-based, trauma and poverty-informed culturally responsive approach to teaching students, community, and Colonial staff in the art of MBSR, Kemetic yoga (200YTT), and other self-care practices. He serves on his district's Equity Audit Committee as well as their Educators of Color Council which focuses on equity and the underrepresented population in teaching by recruiting, assisting, and maintaining educators of color.

ATHEA DAVIS
Embodiment, Mindful Movement and Yoga, Emotional Intelligence and Self-Regulation. Mindful Check-Ins and Mindful Spaces
Athea Davis (she/her) is a mindfulness educator at KIPP Texas Public Schools, and a coach, speaker, and writer dedicated to guiding kids and adults to re-ignite their inner spark. She holds a Master’s Degree in Educational Policy and Leadership, is a Texas Certified Educator, an Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT 500), and a Children’s Registered Yoga Teacher. She’s the author of Today’s Gonna Be Awesomesauce: Daily Meditations for Youth, Parents & Families and the creator of an affirmation + art card deck. Athea owns Sol Sense Yoga, a mindfully-infused education and leadership company, where she leads live mindfulness trainings + digital courses for leaders, educators, and parents. She is the host of the rising education podcast, Mindful Living with Athea Davis.

MATT DEWAR
Why Teacher Self Awareness Matters, Common Teacher Objections, Self-Awareness and
Regulation Through Mindful Breathing, Stress Prevention and Intervention
Dr. Matt Dewar (he/him), former COSEM board president, has served as an educator, SEL specialist, and well-being coordinator at Lake Forest High School, IL for close to two decades, introducing students, athletes, and colleagues to research-based mindfulness and self-care practices through workshops, academic courses, school-wide programs, and professional development. Matt has also worked with collegiate and professional athletes and consulted with school districts nationally on implementing mindfulness and well-being programming. Matt is the author of The Mindful Breathing Workbook for Teens: Simple Practices to Help You Manage Stress and Feel Better Now and Education and Well-Being: An Ontological Inquiry. He has been featured on TEDx, NPR, and the National Wellness Institute.

LINDSEY FRANK
Intro to Mindfulness-Based SEL, Research & Introductory MBSEL Practices, Building Adult MBSEL Capacity, Implementation Process & Planning, Creating Conditions for Successful Structures
Lindsey J. Frank, M.Ed. is a children’s book author and a Mindfulness-Based SEL Specialist who partners with teachers and school communities to develop heart-centered classrooms. Additionally, she is a part-time special educator for CCSD59 in Illinois. Her experience includes collaboratively developing the SEL department within her school district as the former districtwide Climate and SEL Coach. She has been a Learning Behavior Specialist, interventionist, and educator working with ages ranging from early learning through junior high. Her master’s degree is in Educational Leadership and Supervision and has an ELL endorsement. She is a certified yoga, meditation, and mindfulness teacher for adults and children with an inclusive healing-centered focus, and is working on her integrative coaching accreditation. She developed The Butterfly Within, LLC to support schools on their resilience wellness journey and is dedicated to being a changemaker within education.

GINA HARRIS
Social Awareness and Inclusion, Global Awareness and Interconnectedness, Healthy Relationships and Communication, Compassion for Self and Others
Gina G. Harris (she/her), MBA, MAT, is an educator, restorative justice practices facilitator and trainer, and the founder of the Unity Dialogues, a circle process where students and adults learn from each other and grow from authentic, open dialogue about race and unity development. She is a Culture and Climate Coach in the Oak Park and Ridge Forest School District in IL. Gina chairs the Illinois Education Association’s Human and Civil Rights Committee, where she has implemented statewide measures to ensure and promote diverse involvement of educators in leadership. She is also a member of the National Education Association's board of directors, where she co-created and leads the training for the board on institutionalized racism, the school-to-prison pipeline, and implicit bias.

TOVI SCRUGGS-HUSSEIN
Introduction to Mindfulness-Based SEL; Resilience, Self-Care and Mindfulness; Mindfulness as an Equity Tool; SEL Skills for Equity and Inclusion; and Mindful Leadership
Tovi Scruggs-Hussein (she/her), COSEM board president, is a visionary, healer, and award-winning urban educator with almost 30 years of leadership and transformation experience. She is internationally recognized for her signature approach of Leadership Do-ing to Leadership BE-ing and Emotionally Intelligent Equity & Inclusion. She is a recognized leader in meditation, resilience, and self-mastery, was highlighted by Mindful Magazine, and is on a mission to heal our systems through her unique integration of leadership development, racial healing, and trauma-responsive resilience. She founded Racial Healing Allies™, a movement to create truly inclusive schools and organizations. She is a Certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator and co-teaches the trauma-informed leadership course at Mills College.