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Mindful Communication for Educators

  • Montclair, NJ - First Congregational Church 40 South Fullerton Avenue Montclair, NJ, 07042 United States (map)

Creating Trust and Partnership in the School Community

How can our conversations with students, faculty and families reflect our greatest aspirations for education? How do we navigate tense moments with other adults in the education system while staying connected to our deepest values?

During this interactive workshop, you will learn practical skills to communicate with faculty, parents and administrators during your work day and in challenging moments. Mindful Schools’ Senior Program Developer Oren Jay Sofer will share tools to increase your ability to develop relationships of trust and cooperation, to speak with kindness without sacrificing clarity or effectiveness, and to build true partnership in the school community.

Join Oren for this transformative training, based on a combination of mindfulness practice and the internationally recognized system of Nonviolent Communication.

Learn tools to:

  • Deescalate hostility and aggression

  • Identify and express one’s needs in non-blaming ways with parents and faculty

  • Describe student behavior in neutral terms, reducing defensiveness from parents

  • Build trust and collaboration through listening and empathic reflection

  • Address unspoken tension and differences in a conflict-avoidant work environment

  • Make requests of colleagues and administrators for cooperation and support

  • Set limits with care with parents and faculty in a way that honors self and other

About the Sliding Scale

The sliding scale is intended to make this workshop accessible to people of a wide range of income levels. We invite you to pay at the highest amount that is affordable and sustainable for you.

About the Book

Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication is a step-by-step guide for meaningful conversations that bring people together. It is the first book to integrate mindfulness with the modern discipline of Nonviolent Communication and somatic healing.

Whether it's managing conflict at work, navigating a political divide with a relative, or strengthening bonds at home—communicating effectively is what makes or breaks our relationships. Rich with simple yet powerful exercises, Say What You Mean offers a clear method and concrete practices for healthier, more effective conversation.

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Co-sponsored by Mindful Schools.

Founded in 2007, Mindful Schools trains, guides, and connects educators to cultivate mindful learning environments that allow everyone in the school community to thrive. Learn more and join a community of over 30,000 mindful educators at www.mindfulschools.org

Oren Jay Sofer teaches an 8-week Mindful Communication online course with Mindful Schools. Join the next session and explore how to cultivate trust, cooperation and collaboration to build stronger relationships in your classroom and at home. https://www.mindfulschools.org/training/mindful-communication/

Photo by David Pennington on Unsplash