Job Description

Job purpose: 

To facilitate the implementation of the Mindful Moment program at Austin College & Career Academy in Chicago, IL. No mindfulness or yoga experience necessary, only experience doing community work or working with youth. 

The Mindful Moment program provides a school-wide mindfulness and yoga based intervention consisting of several coordinated initiatives; first, the entire school takes part in a daily 10 to 15 minute mindfulness practice. Second, the Mindful Moment Room is set up for a serene and calming environment. Students may self-refer to the Mindful Moment room, or teachers may send distressed or disruptive students there for individual assistance with emotional self-regulation through yoga, breath work, self-reflection, and meditation. This room serves as an alternative to suspension. Third, Mindfulness / Yoga Instructors schedule visits with classrooms to engage students and teachers in the benefits of mindfulness practices. Mindful Moment Instructors must maintain a calm environment and demonstrate the appropriate competencies to teach children and youth techniques to obtain the desired outcomes of enhanced self-regulation and social and emotional wellness.

Salary: $50,000/ yr

Program Objectives: 

Create a safe space for students to practice techniques for emotional self-regulation as an alternative to suspension and as a means for developing healthy life coping skills. To that end, our primary objective is to introduce students, staff, and faculty to proven methods, based in yoga, mindfulness, breath work, and overall holistic wellness, to empower them with the skills to effectively navigate their lives. Mindful Moment Instructors’ presence in the schools provides skillful instruction, engages the full student body and staff, and infuses the practice through playing or saying the Mindful Moment recording. These activities facilitate and support learning of mindfulness and yoga to promote self-empowerment and independent utilization of the techniques. 

We are able to measure the success of our program through the following:

1. Majority participation in the Mindful Moment recording practice periods, 

2. Increased referrals from teachers of students to the Mindful Moment Room as an alternative to suspension 

3. Increased capacity of students to utilize yoga and mindfulness techniques during stressful moments 

4. Increased self-referrals to the Mindful Moment Room and productive use of that time 

5. Improvements indicated through assessments and tracking measures 

6. Enhanced school “buy-in” through greater teacher, student, staff, administration, and parent requests for Mindfulness/ Yoga services.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities: 

Program Implementation 

● Play or say the morning and Mindful Moment recording, as school schedule permits (each school will determine) 

● Demonstrate an active presence within the school, including availability to students within the hallways, classrooms, and Mindful Moment Room 

● Develop an understanding of the specific needs of students and staff 

● Motivate students and staff to understand and engage in the benefits of yoga and mindfulness

● Abide by HLF School Conduct Guidelines and represent HLF’s mission and values through presentation and behaviors 

● Visit classrooms, in coordination with staff and on an as-needed basis, to provide yoga and mindfulness practices to students and staff 

● Manage and maintain the Mindful Moment Room; ensure the safety and wellbeing of students and staff 

● Provide instruction related to physical, breathing, and mindful practices during school hours, for special events, and as needed, for individuals and groups 

● Provide ongoing opportunities for students, and school personnel to learn more about yoga and mindfulness, professional development, special classes, and one-on-one sessions 

Relationship Building 

● Develop and maintain positive relationships with students, staff, administration, and parents 

● Respond to and follow up on student, teacher, and

administration's recommendations

● Develop and implement strategies for increasing student, staff, administration, and faculty participation in, and support of, the MM Program 

● Communicate in a manner that is reflective of HLF’s mission and values ● Engage HLF Leadership in communications with administration as needed 

Performance Assessment and Tracking 

● Provide reporting data, as requested, to the site administration and HLF Executive Staff. 

● Monitor MM referrals 

● Track classes visited, and visitors/ referrals to the MM Room (site will provide schedule) 

● Identify constructive ways for improving the program and share this information with the Program Director and HLF Administrative and Executive Staff 

Additional Responsibilities:

● Respond according to procedure for emergency and disciplinary situations 

● Maintain current first aid and CPR certification and ensure equipment/kits/materials are maintained and available

● Develop and participate in special programs, events as needed, for students, parents, teachers, and the broader community

● Attend meetings with school team/administration as needed

To Formally Apply:

● Please submit your resume and cover letter (optional) to TIffany McGinnis at tiffany@hlfinc.org

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