
Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques
Trauma-Sensitive, SEL-informed and EDI-Aware
SEL = Social and Emotional Learning | EDI = Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
smartEducation™ - A 9-Session Renewal Program
smartEducation™ (SMART: Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques) is an evidence-based program originally designed to address the needs of educators (K-12 and post-secondary), professional support staff, mental health professionals and community leaders, involved in the education and care of children, youth, and young adults. It is also suitable for impletation in organizations.
SMART workshops are delivered live, in two formats: in-person and online. The program is trauma-sensitive, SEL (social and emotional learning) informed, and EDI aware. The sessions are engaging, interactive and highly participatory. SMART helps you develop inner strength and resilience to be with the challenges of life.
Who Should Attend
Education professionals including teachers, educational assistants, child and youth workers, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists, student support staff as well as administrators and office staff.
The program is also suitable for helping professionals who work with children and teens, including health care professionals, community leaders and staff. Previous experience with mindfulness is not required.
Organizational leaders, administrators and staff as well as community and program leaders, who are committed to creating healthy workplace environments.
Download the brochure HERE | Download Printer Friendly Version HERE
ABOUT SMART
Course Overview: This evidence-based course trains participants to better manage work-related and personal stress, in order to cultivate emotional balance. SMART integrates the teachings, practices and research from (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, (MSC) Mindful Self-compassion, Emotional Literacy, and Kindness and Compassion training to address the specific needs and challenges of helping professionals. Each session consists of presentations, group discussions and experiential practices in mindfulness, including mindful movement, visualization, and mindfulness meditation. A 4-hour silent retreat and weekly home practice is also part of the course.
Course Format: The 20-hour program is delivered in a workshop setting, consists of 8 x 2-hour sessions, a 4-hour silent retreat and includes home practice. Successful participants receive a smartEducation® Certificate of Completion.
Learning Outcomes: The course trains participants to:
- Manage stress through a greater understanding and control of emotions
- Employ self-care techniques to cultivate personal and professional resilience.
- Create effective strategies for relating to challenging situations.
- Enhance concentration and executive function (planning, decision-making, and impulse control).
- Revitalize purpose, personally and professionally
- Improve your overall mental and physical health
- Promote happiness through healthy habits of the mind
FAQ's about SMART
Questions |
Answers |
What is SMART? |
An evidence-based, trauma-sensitive, SEL-informed program designed to address the needs of educators (Kindergarten to Grade 12) and professional support staff. |
What does SMART mean? |
Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques |
What is the course format? |
The 20-hour program is delivered in a workshop setting, consists of 8 x two- hour sessions, a 4-hour silent retreat and includes home practice. |
Is there a certificate available? |
Participants who have completed the requirements receive a smartEducation Certificate of Completion. |
What is ME responsible for? |
ME researches and manages the development of the evidence base for continual updating of the curriculum and training of SMART facilitators |
Who is the contact at ME? |
Heidi Bornstein,
Director, SMART Ontario |
What materials are provided? |
SMART Participant Manual |
Is there home practice? |
There is a manageable amount of home practice – between 15-20 minutes per day. |
Who is SMART for? |
Educators and helping professionals,nurses, community organizational leaders and staff. |
Who is SMART taught by? |
SMART facilitators have engaged in a 100+ comprehensive training pathway consisting of training programs (Foundations), practicums, mentoring and on-going professional development. |
Is SMART Evidence-based? |
SMARTeducation Research |
What do our SMART facilitators say about the program? |
Participants notice increased capacity to: |
What is the difference between SMART and MBSR? |
-
Explicit teachings on intention, self-compassion, kindness, empathy and compassion
|
How is SMART delivered? |
SMART is delivered both In-Person in Ontario and BC, and ONLINE, in a method that is highly participatory, engaging, and interactive. |
How much does it cost to take the SMART 9-session program? |
SMART FEE Winter 2023= $500.00 per person CDN |
Is there a “Train the Trainer” program |
The SMART Facilitator Training Pathway is a 100+ hour program that involves direct teacher training programs, practicums, mentoring and on-going professional development |
Mental Health - Mindfulness as Professional Development smartUBC™
Exerpts from article by Karen Ragoonaden, PhD | Visions Journal, 2016, 12 (2), p. 30
Link to Article HERE
smartUBC (Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques) is a mindfulness-based professional development initiative that includes courses in education, social work and nursing. Resilience, that is, the ability to respond positively to challenges, is recognized as being crucial to success in personal and professional contexts.1 The smartEducation curriculum, administered by smartUBC, is intended for professionals in education (teachers, principals, counsellors and so on). Following the evidence-based model of the original smartEducation curriculum, other UBC departments offer similar mindfulness-based programs for professionals. The latest extension of the smartUBC initiative, smartNursing, is currently being offered in the Faculty of Health and Social Development of UBC’s Okanagan campus as part of a first-year course on relational pedagogy.
Teaching and learning self-awareness and resilience
The smartUBC programs support the development of self-care techniques, sustainable practices relating to kindness, compassion and forgiveness, in order to cultivate personal and professional resilience. The programs are non-religious and non-sectarian and are delivered by smartUBC-accredited facilitators. Attention, intention and authenticity as pathways to well-being are also core foundations of the program curricula.
By emphasizing effective mindfulness strategies, which can be used in challenging situations where strong emotions and heated discussions emerge, the smartUBC courses aim to reduce participants’ stress in their professional and personal lives by fostering a greater understanding of emotional and physiological reactions. The 20-hour course consists of eight two-hour experiential sessions (practices and interactive discussions) and one four-hour silent retreat.
The benefits of mindfulness
Supporting the mental health of professionals is important—not only for individuals but also for the wider community. Mindfulness protocols are highly regarded as a non-invasive health intervention tool with evidence-based success. The smartUBC programs provide accessible curricula that support well-being in numerous contexts.
Research studies focusing on the impact of the original smartEducation curriculum suggest that practising mindfulness decreases occupational stress and compassion burnout, or apathy towards one’s fellow human beings.2,3
PARTICIPANT RESPONSES
- “This course reminded me that I can take care of myself too, and still be a hard-working, valuable and caring colleague.”
- “I hoped I would learn ways to incorporate mindfulness, relaxation and meditation in my workplace. I had no idea it would help me personally.”
- “It surpassed every expectation I could have had. I got more from this course than any course I have ever taken. It allowed me to learn about me and that, as a health care provider, is the most important learning you could ever do.”
- “I now approach my day with greater confidence.”
- “Transformational!"
About the author
Dr. Ragoonaden is Chair of the smartUBC curriculum and certification committee. Based in Kelowna, she is committed to providing educational leadership in research, teaching, curriculum design and innovation, and to mindfulness-based initiatives in the areas of education and health. Her recent work focuses on mindful teaching and learning.
https://news.ok.ubc.ca/2020/10/06/inspiring-minds-shaping-hearts-changing-the-world/
For nearly eight years, Ragoonaden has been researching mindfulness and specifically its impact on educators. She became interested in teaching and researching mindfulness in 2012 when the Faculty of Education was gifted the SMART (Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques) in Education curriculum.
“We revised and operationalized the curriculum so that the wellness practices would be accessible in both post-secondary and Kindergarten to grade 12 contexts,” says Ragoonaden. “Now known as smartEducation, its many derivatives include smartNursing and smartUBC.”