• supports and invests in teachers, educators, and administrators development and well-being,

• provides opportunities to learn effective ways to help calm students’ anxious nervous systems, and

• provides students with the support they need to learn and thrive.

I offer teacher workshops, weekly sessions, lunchtime and online options. In classes for students, in addition to teaching them mindfulness and stress reduction techniques, they are provided with workbooks and journals to work in that relate to our weekly lessons. Weekly emails are sent to the teachers of participating classrooms, providing them with tools and scripts to use with their students. 

Contact me at mindfulanytime@gmail.com to learn more about the different options for bringing mindfulness to your teachers and students. 

Some Testimonials and Quotes from Teachers & Students:

“I have had the absolute pleasure of working with Betsi Dessauer over the past 2 years in my third grade classroom. During this time, she led my students in mindfulness exercises that strengthened their self-concept, concentration, and anger management strategies. Her program begins by introducing students to the concept of mindfulness, including what it is (and what it is not), how to practice it at home and school, and how to use it to better themselves as a person and learner.

The student population that I work with is very diverse. There are severe behavior problems that often impede the learning of others. With mindfulness, my students learned how to control themselves, deal with anger, and process emotions in a way that allowed them to continue learning. One particular student that struggles with compulsive outbursts and violence has utilized mindfulness the most. Now, anytime he gets upset he finds his “anchor spot” and starts his mindful breathing. He has told me multiple times that it is the only way he knows to calm down.

Ms. Dessauer has been a ray of sunshine in our classroom. My students look forward to their weekly session with her. I wish she could visit us each week for the entire year. Her work with mindfulness has been inspiring, uplifting, and, most of all, empowering.” — C.Yunker, DPS Teacher

“Each year there have been students in my class who have severe problems with impulse control, the ability to focus, and anger management all at the same time. My goal with these students is to provide them with as many strategies as I can to help them manage those behavioral struggles, giving them the tools they need to succeed in the classroom and in life.

That’s why I’ve been extremely grateful for the opportunity to work with Betsi Dessauer to offer students the Mindfulness Program in my classroom for the last three years. I’ve seen mindfulness work for these students consistently over the years, and I’ve seen their lasting success as they continue on in their education.

I wholeheartedly endorse the Mindful Schools program for use at Durham Public Schools. If mindfulness can improve the life of the students in my classroom to the extent that it does, giving all of our students the opportunity to gain these skills would have an extremely positive effect on our district as a whole. I strongly urge others to consider adopting this program; I know the benefits would be evident quickly and have a lasting impact on the lives of the children we serve.” — J.Whaley, DPS Teacher

Some Student Feedback (submitted anonymously):

Before my EoGs I was super nervous and I used my mindful breathing with my anchor spot.

I used mindfulness to help me fall asleep. My favorite thing about mindfulness is that it’s calming.

It helped me to focus and learn and helping [sic] me when I’m upset.

My favorite mindfulness part is when it help [sic] me calm down I put my hand on my anchor spot and then I’m not mad any more. Thanks Ms. Dessauer.

It has helped me avoid a fight with a friend. And calm down at school. And get better grades.

I used mindfulness when I was really hyper and could not fall sleep. I used mindfulness to calm me down. My favorite thing about mindfulness is that it helps me calm down.

When we close our eyes and breath and exhale that is my favorite part of mindfulness.

One time when I used mindfulness I needed to focus on a test and after I felt like I did better than I would. It felt so much calmer afterward.

A time I used mindfulness was when I was angry at my brother when he broke apart something I made with cards. I went to my room to take a brake [sic] and took three deep breaths in and out and then I started to calm down.

I used it when I was playing basketball and when I got my ears pierced. I like mindfulness - it calms me down.

My favorite thing about mindfulness is you get to hear all of the sounds around you because everyone is so quiet.

I used mindfulness when I was mad, it makes me chill out.

It helped me make a decision on the test and calmed me down. It helps me go deeper into my mind.

One time when we were taking the EoGs - I was losing focus and I used mindful breathing and it helped calm me. My favorite thing about mindfulness is the ability that it can calm you if you’re having a rough time.

Mindful body has helped me not get in fight. I love to be pecefull [sic].

My favorite thing about mindfulness is that it really helps you when you need to calm down when your stressed out.