Teacher Training Competency Area |
Examples | Minimum Contact Hours |
Required Contact (Classroom) Hours | ||
Mindfulness Studies | Overview of the mindfulness field History of mindfulness Science of Mindfulness Secularization of mindfulness Complementary practices (eg. cultivation of positive emotions, relational mindfulness, inquiry, working with trauma etc.) |
10-20 |
Personal Practice Maturation and Development | Ongoing mindfulness practice in group setting with instruction and community support Personal exploration work of relevant issues to mindfulness facilitators such as presence and embodiment, cultivation of confidence |
4-12 |
Teaching Methodology, Training and Supervision | Community building practices Mentorship and Supervision Feedback and peer support for facilitation practice Group facilitation skills Working with conflict in groups Working with individuals |
8-24 |
Contemporary Mindfulness Applications | Exploration of practical applications of mindfulness in any of the following areas or related others: Education and youth Academia Workplace/business settings Medicine Psychology/Clinical Applications |
2-6 |
Cultural Competency | Diversity issues in the mindfulness field Working with diverse populations, cross-cultural issues Professional Ethics for Teachers Accessibility of language, and presentation, removing barriers |
4-10 |
Professional Development | Bringing mindfulness into institutions Financial issues in mindfulness facilitation as a career path Marketing Creating livelihood Networking |
4-10 |
Required Non-Contact (Non-Classroom) Hours | ||
Practicum / Field Work | This component requires students to actively facilitate mindfulness in their work or volunteer setting | 8-18 |
TOTAL REQUIRED HOURS | 40-100 (Reviewed on a case by case basis) | |
Recommended Additional Non-Contact (Non-Classroom) Hours | ||
Personal Practice Maturation and Development | Personal daily practice 5-day or longer mindfulness meditation retreat with a qualified instructor Attendance in related mindfulness classes |
40-120 |
Study | Related reading, writing and academic work connected to the program | 10-30 |
Other Required Components | ||
Requirement | Criteria | |
Prerequisites for Program-entry | Accepted students should have: Regular daily mindfulness meditation practice Attended a mindfulness course like Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) or equivalent |
|
Supervising Teachers | Supervising teachers must have a minimum of 10 years of advanced mindfulness experience and personal practice, and 5 years of teaching experience as evidenced by verifiable personal statement on application. | |
Observation and Feedback Mechanisms | Students teaching skills should be observed live or on video for at least 2×30 minutes and provided feedback in written and verbal form a minimum of two times. (Mid-program and final) | |
Personal Interaction between student and supervising teacher | Opportunities for personal contact between students and supervising teachers must be available in the form of individual or group teaching or mentoring sessions as demonstrated by program curricula. | |