In 2014, here in Portland, Peace in Schools launched the first for-credit high school mindfulness course in the nation. Five years later, eight schools have partnered with the program to establish mindfulness courses, and new courses are being offered to adults, especially those who work with youth. At a time when school violence is widespread and many teens struggle with feelings of isolation, depression and anxiety, Peace in Schools can help teens disengage with negative self-judging thoughts and practice finding compassion and gratitude for themselves and others. The goal of the course is to empower students to respond to the pressures of life in a way that supports their emotional, mental and physical health. Founder and Guiding Teacher Caverly Morgan, and Program Director and Lead Teacher Janice Martellucci, will talk about their program and how and why it has been so well-received. Caverly is also founder of the Presence Collective, a contemplative communtiy dedicated to personal transformation and collective awakening, and she leads meditation retreats, workshops, and online classes internationally. Janice has worked as an outdoor and experiential educator in California, New Zealand, Massachusetts, and New York City. She is passionate about sharing the gifts of mindfulness with teens.
- KBOO