Mindfulness for Educational Practice Offers Guidance on Mindfulness

Dr. Nancy Coogan is a Washington State educational administrator with more than two decades of experience in the education field. Over the course of her career, Dr. Nancy Coogan has conducted research on the benefits and applications of mindfulness in the education setting. She authored a chapter for the text Mindfulness for Educational Practice on mindful practices in urban high schools.

The eighth volume in the Research on Stress and Coping in Education Series, the text provides guidance to teachers and school administrators in understanding and implementing mindfulness practices. Contributing authors present original research and current theories on its application in improving school outcomes for students and strengthening support for school leaders and faculty. Each chapter addresses key questions in the study of mindfulness, such as the role of mindfulness-based interventions and the potential for cultivating closer teacher-student relationships. Additionally, the chapters offer recommendations on implementing mindfulness strategies and techniques.

Mindfulness for Educational Practice was published in 2015 and edited by Washington State University faculty members Gordon S. Gates and Shannon Calderone.

Black Prisoners’ Caucus TEACH Program

An alumna of Washington State University with an EdD, Dr. Nancy Coogan served as Tukwila School District’s superintendent for four years. Dr. Nancy Coogan has also worked as a sponsor for the Black Prisoners’ Caucus (BPC).

Formed in 1972, the BPC exists to encourage cultural growth and stop discrimination, inequality, and oppression among not only incarcerated men, but also poor communities of color. The BPC provides prisoners with the tools and medium to address these social issues while working together with them to promote stronger family ties, improved facilities, and transformed communities. As part of its campaign, the BPC designed the TEACH program to educate incarcerated men until they complete their higher education.

The TEACH program is open to all prisoners who want to finish their studies, regardless of their race, color, sexual preference, or crime. Enrollees are required to submit their GED or high school diploma and must be prepared for a rigorous curriculum. The courses that will prepare them for either a certification or for-credit pathway include Math, Writing, and Reading.

Certificate courses involve life skills and cognitive change education such as parenting, conflict resolution, and public speaking. For-credit courses, on the other hand, include social science, natural science, and arts and humanities classes. Every for-credit course counts towards an associate degree that will make a student eligible for an official college course through Seattle Central College.

What to Do in Italy

The former superintendent of Tukwila School District, Dr. Nancy Coogan has developed and implemented policies that earned the district honors and recognition. With a doctorate of education from Washington State University, she researches practices and theories about education. To take a break from work, Dr. Nancy Coogan enjoys traveling to Italy.

Offering visitors an abundance of opportunities to immerse themselves in its culture, Italy remains among the top several most visited travel destinations. Here are just a few things a tourist can do while visiting Italy.

- Visit Venice. Although not the cheapest place to stay, Venice offers options for a gondola ride, canals, and hip bars with inexpensive drinks at the old Jewish Ghetto.

- Roam around Rome. Aside from the obvious highlights in Rome, the Trastevere neighborhood is a place for cheap food and funky little bars. The tiny winding streets are enjoyable, too.

- Cross the Cinque Terre. Located in Western Italy, the Cinque Terre comprises villages ready for hike adventures through steep vineyards and mountains. After hikes that vary in difficulty, the area provides fresh pesto and seafood dishes, which can be partnered with local wine for a delightful treat.

Types of Mindfulness-Based Interventions: An Overview

An expert in strategic planning and leadership development, Dr. Nancy Coogan has held executive positions at school districts that include Mukilteo and Seattle Public Schools. In addition to her work in administration, Dr. Nancy Coogan authors scholarly research articles in the areas of education and mindfulness.

In 2015, Information Age Publishing released “Mindfulness for Educational Practice, A Path to Resilience for Challenging Work.” The book, which includes a chapter featuring Dr. Coogan, draws on qualitative and action research that supports mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in schools. 

At a general level, MBIs refer to therapeutic approaches that employ mindfulness to improve physical and mental health. Four common approaches to the practice are described below.

- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) - teaches mindfulness to help others recognize emotional challenges and improve overall well being.

- Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) - develops mindfulness in addition to tolerance and interpersonal effectiveness through individual psychotherapy exercises as well as group training.

- Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) - incorporates meditation practices, stretching, and other mindfulness activities in daily life in addition to group sessions. 

- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) - similar to MBSR, but also incorporates cognitive therapy techniques and exercises such as psychoeducation.