SMPeace Impact
Upon Completion SMP Programming…
100%
of classroom teachers report students are better able to self-regulate their behavior
- Kenderton 2022
- Stearne Autistic Support 2023
100%
of classroom teachers report that students interact more kindly with them and their classmates
- Kenderton 2022
- Stearne Autistic Support 2023
92%
of classroom teachers report that their classroom community "changed for the better"
- Stearne 2023
100%
of classroom teachers report sustained improvement in their classroom learning environment
- Kenderton 2022
An Innovative Education-Based Initiative
Providing students and teachers in Philadelphia Schools with greater physical and emotional well-being, paving the way for compassionate classrooms, and creating space for academic success.
Our Mission
Many schools throughout the country are recognizing the benefits of integrating mindfulness in the classroom, but are faced with figuring out how to successfully educate their school staff while providing a foundation in mindfulness to their students.
At The School Mindfulness Project®, we’ve developed an educational model that aspires to improve the physical, emotional and academic well-being of entire school communities by providing sustainable mindfulness education and mindful movement education to staff and students on a school-wide basis.
School Mindfulness Project® founder and CEO, Gail Silver, has been providing yoga and mindfulness to children in schools since 2002 through Philadelphia’s Yoga Child Inc. As a mindfulness educator and author with first-hand experience reaching students through engaging curriculum, Gail knows the that the key to implementing and sustaining mindfulness in schools is to support and educate all students and all staff, from inception through integration.
Our Mission
Many schools throughout the country are recognizing the benefits of integrating mindfulness in the classroom, but are faced with figuring out how to successfully educate their school staff while providing a foundation in mindfulness to their students.
At The School Mindfulness Project®, we’ve developed an educational model that aspires to improve the physical, emotional and academic well-being of entire school communities by providing sustainable mindfulness education and mindful movement education to staff and students on a school-wide basis.
Students in the Philadelphia Public School District experience performance and behavioral challenges that negatively impact their ability to learn, grow and excel.
69% of elementary and middle school students perform below proficiency standards
Assault comprises 50% of the 4516 reported serious incidents (774 assaults) reported annually
SMP works in Philadelphia's most high-needs schools.
Less than 10% of students meet proficiency standards
Less than 75% of teachers attend 95% of school days or more
1 in 12 students are placed in out-of-school suspension
*PSD open data from school years 2018-2019 and 2019-2020
IN THE NEWS
Read about SMP in The Philadelphia Citizen
Philly’s own Gail Silver is one step ahead of Harvard, having created the nonprofit School Mindfulness Project, which strives to create an entire mindfulness ecosystem in schools and the wider community
How It Works
When The School Mindfulness Project® (SMP) comes to your school, your school receives:
- 50+ hours of on-site immersion training, education, applied practice and integration support for your staff
- A 12-week, 12 hr foundational training in mindfulness and mindful movement for students
- A team of dedicated SMP educators and yoga professionals
- Weekly yoga classes for students
- Pre-program conferences for your staff and community
- Adaptable programming for students serving in-school suspension
- The option to apply SMP training toward ACT 48 professional development for your staff
- Our commitment to training all classrooms and staff in your school in one year (when funding permits) or the option to elect a three or five year scalable program model which provides programming for one to eight classrooms per year.
As we conclude our program with your students and transition to a neighboring school, your staff are equipped with the necessary tools, knowledge and skills to assume their role as mindfulness educators and to integrate mindfulness education into the classroom setting with daily lessons from our curriculum.
Evidence-Based Research Tells Us That School-Based Mindfulness Education Supports Positive Outcomes
For Students
Improved self-regulation
Improved ability to focus
Improved ability to make skillful choices
Improved memory retention
Improved ability to learn
Improved self-awareness
Improved emotional and physical and academic wellbeing
For Staff
Ease of classroom management
Reduced job stress
A peaceful teaching and learning environment
Improved engagement and communication with students
Greater job satisfaction
The many joys that accompany cultivating a mindful classroom
For Your School Community
The cultivation of a more compassionate school community
Healthier student bodies
Greater academic success
A more resilient school culture
Sustained emotional, physical and academic well-being