scholarly journals “Let’s Just Stop and Take a Breath”: A Community-Driven Approach to Mindfulness Practice in a High Poverty Elementary School

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-205
Author(s):  
Shana Haines ◽  
Kelly Clark/Keefe ◽  
Alan Tinker ◽  
Alyssa Kotsiopoulos ◽  
Cynthia Gerstl-Pepin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Culturally Diverse ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mindfulness Practice ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
High Poverty ◽  
Community Members ◽  
School Settings

This case study describes how a high-poverty, linguistically and culturally diverse elementary school came to embed mindfulness in its curriculum and what adults perceived to be the outcomes of the program on students’ well-being. This qualitative case study is based on 25 interviews with teachers, administrators, and community members; classroom observations; and relevant documents. Participants indicated that practicing mindfulness improved student well-being through greater self-awareness and increased ability to articulate their emotions and needs, select strategies to self-regulate, and generalize their practice of mindfulness to out-of-school settings. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

Exploring the Hidden Costs of Human–Wildlife Conflict in Northern Kenya

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-54 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Bond ◽  
Kennedy Mkutu
Keyword(s):  
Political Ecology ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Human Security ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Northern Kenya ◽  
Wildlife Conflict ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Human Wildlife Conflict

Abstract:Human–wildlife conflict (HWC) is often considered in terms of how the impact on humans can be mitigated, but in the context of the larger goal of meeting conservation goals. This article explores the hidden costs of HWC on human well-being in northern Kenya through a qualitative case study of Laikipia County. Drawing on narratives of wildlife as destructive, wildlife as inherently more important or valuable than humans, and wildlife preservation as a pathway for capturing resources, it explores the impacts of HWC on human well-being, situating the study within the HWC, political ecology, and human security literature.

“What Do We Do For Snacks?”: The Perceived Role of Parks and Recreation Administrators in the Youth Sports Food Environment

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madison Augustine ◽  
Lori Andersen Spruance ◽  
J. Mitchell Vaterlaus
Keyword(s):  
Food Environment ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Youth Sports ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Study Analysis ◽  
Parks And Recreation ◽  
Case Study Analysis ◽  
Phone Calls ◽  
Sporting Activities

Dietary intake is influenced by multiple systems, as highlighted in the Social- Ecological Model, including community influences like community programs. In this context, parks and recreation administrators may have a role in the types of snacks and beverages provided during youth sports. The current study focused on understanding park administrators’ experiences relative to the youth sports environment, including their responsibility and influence on the food environment. This was an exploratory qualitative case study conducted in Utah. Semi-structured interviews with parks and recreation administrators were completed via phone by a research assistant. A qualitative case study analysis was conducted by two researchers. In addition to the interviews, the websites of all the park and recreation sites were searched and phone calls were made to check physical locations for nutrition fliers/information. Three themes emerged through qualitative case study analysis. The first theme was the administrators’ role in the youth parks and recreation activities. The second theme was the administrators’ awareness of the food environment within youth sports. The final theme was the administrators’ role in influencing more nutritious snacks at these youth sporting activities. The results from this case study suggest that the parks and recreation administrators within Utah valued the importance of nutritional snacks and beverages within youth sporting activities and were supportive of the food environment improving. Several of the parks and recreation administrators in this study agreed that their further involvement (i.e., guidelines on snacks and beverages) in the youth sports food environment could improve the environment and better effect youth who are participating, thus enhancing opportunities to improve overall health and well-being. The results from this study show that administrators could bring awareness to youth sports nutrition and support guidelines for the types of snacks and beverages brought to youth sporting activities. Administrators could work with dietitians to develop information that would be appropriate to distribute to youth sports participants and parents. Providing information about what kinds of snacks to bring has the possibility to improve the conditions of the youth sports food environment. Additionally, consideration for policy changes in youth sports and recreation center facilities could be explored.

Student Technology Projects in a Remote First Nations Village

2007 ◽  
pp. 137-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tish Scott
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
First Nations ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Multimedia Technology ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Children's Education ◽  
Children’S Education

This qualitative case study focuses on community members’ observations and perceptions of student multimedia technology projects produced in a grade 6/7 class, particularly in relation to what they affirm is important for their children’s education. The projects are community-based and rooted in the First Nations culture of a remote village in northern British Columbia (Canada).

“I love this stuff!”: a Canadian case study of mentor–coach well-being

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-344
Author(s):  
Trista Hollweck
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Experienced Teachers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Coaching Relationship ◽  
Framework Approach ◽  
Stakeholder Perspective ◽  
Research Findings

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to report on a qualitative case study that examined the potential benefits, challenges and implications of the mentor–coach (MC) role as a supportive structure for experienced teachers’ well-being and sense of flourishing in schools.Design/methodology/approachThe qualitative case study used data collected from surveys, interviews, focus groups and documentation. Data were coded and abductively analyzed using the “framework approach” with and against Seligman’s well-being PERMA framework. In order to include an alternative stakeholder perspective, data from a focus group with the district’s teacher union executive are also included.FindingsUsing the constituting elements of Seligman’s well-being (PERMA) framework, experienced teachers reported positive emotion, engagement, positive relationships, meaning and accomplishment from their MC experience. However, the MC role is not a panacea for educator well-being. Rather, the quality and effectiveness of the mentoring and coaching relationship is a determining factor and, if left unattended, negative experiences could contribute to their stress and increased workload.Research limitations/implicationsThe data used in this study were based on a limited number of survey respondents (25/42) and the self-selection of the interview (n=7) and focus group participants (n=6). The research findings may lack generalizability and be positively skewed.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the current lack of empirical research on the MC experience and considers some of the wider contextual factors that impact effective mentoring and coaching programs for educators.

scholarly journals A Study of the Effects of Mindfulness in Five Primary Schools in New Zealand

Teachers Work ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grant Rix ◽  
Ross Bernay
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Family Health ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mindfulness Practice ◽  
Classroom Teachers ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Long Term Effects ◽  
Key Competencies

This study investigated the effects of an eight-week mindfulness in schools programme delivered in five primary schools in New Zealand. The participants included 126 students ranging in age from 6-11 years old and six classroom teachers. The programme was developed by one of our researchers (Rix) to align with The New Zealand Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 2007) and with a bi-cultural focus in mind. A Māori model of hauora (holistic well-being), Te Whare Tapa Wha, was incorporated as a key element of the programme. Te Whare Tapa Wha describes a Māori perspective on health and well-being which suggests that the house (whare) and its parts are viewed as a metaphor for different aspects of one’s health such that if one part of a house (or one’s health) is not in order, then there will be an effect of the other parts of the house (an individual’s health). Thus, physical health, spiritual health, family health and mental health are all interconnected for a person’s well-being, which is also a critical aspect of mindfulness. Classroom teachers were asked to complete fortnightly journal entries as part of a qualitative analysis of the effectiveness of the programme. A follow-up survey was completed three months after the last mindfulness class to assess any potential long term effects. Findings suggest that the programme may be efficacious for increasing calm, reduced stress, and improved focus and attention. In addition, results indicated enhanced self-awareness, and the development of positive relationships. A number of these outcomes were observed in both students and classroom teachers. These findings suggest that mindfulness practice can make a strong contribution to the key competencies outlined in the New Zealand curriculum. The design of the programme, findings of the study, and future recommendations for implementing mindfulness practice in New Zealand schools are discussed.

scholarly journals Community-School Partnerships: Assisting Newcomer Youth In Montreal

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamie Tremblay
Keyword(s):  
Immigrant Students ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Community Organizations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Educational Institutions ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
School Partnerships

As universal and mandatory institutions, schools are the first institutional frame of reference newcomer youth encounter upon their arrival in Canada, and as such they play a central role in their settlement process. Although the Quebec Ministry of Education provides guidelines regarding the integration of immigrant students into Quebec educational institutions, some secondary schools in Montreal seem unprepared to respond to theunique needs of newcomer youth.This qualitative case study involving six key informantsreveals that schools need experts from community organizations who have a greater capacity to assist youth in their settlement experiences. However, partnering between school and community organizations are often based on difficult and unequal relationships which have a negative impact on the programs and services offeredto newcomer students. It is crucial that the various ministries involved in the well-being of youth provide long-term funding for collaborative programs targeting newcomers. This could fortify programs that are already implemented, encourage new initiative, and spread them to educational institutions around the province.

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