Mindsight Professional Development Plan
Submitted by Turk MacDonald and Jennifer Oldford
Submitted to Chris Gilham
EDU 569 Mindfulness in Education
Disclaimer: Many of the ideas and activities in the following workshops are based on the book
Mindsight by Daniel Seigel and courses offered through the Mindsight Institute. Please refer to
the reference list. For more information on course offerings visit: mindsightinstitute.com
Overview
The general plan is to find a group of teachers from our school who will desire to investigate the
process of ‘mindsight’. This PD will occur over a series of months, including a half-day session
with the whole school, 2 day off-site retreat, and a half-day recap session. From the retreat, it is
expected there will be several Purposeful Professional Learning Communities (PPLC’s) formed
with huge synergy. These PPLC’s will carry on their mindsight work during regularly scheduled
PLC time. This professional development opportunity is designed for the growth and well-being
of the teachers. We believe that when our teachers are healthy and mentally strong they are
better able to support our students.
Half Day: 8:30am to 12:15pm.
To be held at school during the morning of the first semester parent teacher interview afternoon.
This professional development will be with the whole staff. The theme is the “Beginner’s
Understanding of Mindsight”, and will cover the questions: What, So What, Now What?
8:30 – 9:15 Session #1: What?…Mindsight
Description: In this session, the terms mind, mental health, mindfulness, and
mindsight will be defined and examined. The session will include a review of
the five basic senses, a brief discussion of the sixth sense of mindfulness, and
an introduction to the seventh sense of mindsight. Participants will view a
video of Dr. Dan Siegel explaining what is meant by “mindsight” and be
introduced to the role of attention, energy and information flow, and the
connection with relationships.
9:30- 10:15 Session #2: So What? Part A…Neuroscience
Description: In this session, participants will be introduced to the basics of
neuroscience. Participants with previous knowledge of the topic will be paired
with colleagues from other disciplines. Together they will examine the parts of
the brain and the relationship between form and function. The development of
the teenage brain and how this impacts behaviour observed in the classroom
will be introduced.
10:30 – 11:15 Session #3: So What? Part B…Integration
Description: In this session, participants will be introduced to the concept of
“Integration”. In general, integration refers to a process by which separate
elements are linked together as a working whole. In the case of neuroscience
and mindsight, integration enables us to be flexible and free as we deal with
daily issues. Participants will be introduced to “The Eight Domains of
Integration” and “The River of Integration”. They will examine how a mind
lacking integration moves towards either rigidity or chaos and possibly to the
point of mental health disorder. This session will begin with “The Complexity
Choir” activity and include an examination of DSM descriptors.
11:30 – 12:15 Session #4: Now What?…Cultivating Mindsight
Description: In this final session, participants will be challenged to consider
how mindsight, or a lack of mindsight, may be at work in their current
classroom situations. Participants will be introduced to the importance of
attunement and attachment and the “The Triangle of Well-Being”. Participants
will experience a couple of methods for cultivating their own mindsight and
supporting its development in their students.
After these sessions, covering the basic “What, So what, and Now what”, the staff will be invited
to take part in a Mindsight Retreat in two weeks’ time at the Wind Horse Farms location in
Lunenburg. It will run from Thursday night to Saturday evening with an optional additional
team-building event Saturday night. NOTE: This is a volunteer professional development
experience.
Thursday: Retreat Starts
SCHEDULE:
4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Arrive, get settled, and supper.
7:00 – 7:15 p.m. Introductions and Weekend Orientation.
7:15 – 9:00 p.m. Workshop #1: What is Mindsight?
Description: In this workshop, participants will revisit and expand upon the
concepts introduced during the in-school session. Participants will have an
opportunity to discuss their initial understandings and express their hopes or
reservations regarding the topic.
9:00 – 9:30 p.m. Mingle and light refreshments.
Friday: Retreat Full Day
SCHEDULE:
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Optional Yoga
8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Breakfast
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Workshop #2: Interpersonal Neurobiology Part A
Description: In this workshop, participants will discover the power of the mind
to grow and develop throughout a lifetime. The workshop will focus on the
concepts of neuroplasticity and synaptogenesis and their importance in our
relationships with others.
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Light refreshments.
10:45 – 12:00 a.m. Workshop #3: Interpersonal Neurobiology Part B
Description: In this workshop, participants will further explore how our
interpersonal relationships and the brain and neurological processes interact
throughout our lives. The development of mind maps and the importance of
mirror neurons and models/schema will be examined. The role of the early
parent-child relationship in the formation of mindsight will be discussed.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Walk or other mindful practice
2:15 – 4:15 p.m. Workshop #4: Integration Part A
Description: In this workshop, we will discuss how whole brain integration is
essential for well-being. Participants will be reintroduced to the “Eight
Domains of Integration” and the “River of Integration”. Participants will try
out the “Wheel of Awareness” practice and explore the ways it can help
promote the integration of consciousness.
4:15-5:00 p.m. Free time for personal reflection and/or interpersonal connection
5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Supper
6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Free time for personal reflection and/or interpersonal connection
7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Night of the Arts
A variety of art activities including drawing, painting, poetry, music, and
improvisation will be made available for the exploration and enjoyment of
participants.
Saturday: Retreat Full Day
SCHEDULE:
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Optional Yoga
8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Breakfast
9:00 – 10:30 a.m. Workshop #5: Integration Part B
Description: In this workshop, we will focus on Horizontal, Vertical, and
Narrative Integration. Participants will analyze case studies from the book
“Mindsight” and discuss the role of mindsight in education and psychotherapy.
The ways in which mindfulness compares and contrasts with mindsight will
also be discussed.
10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Light refreshments.
10:45 – 12:00 a.m. Workshop #6: Cultivating Mindsight Part A
Description: In this workshop, we will collectively develop practical
applications for this learning in our professional and personal life. Topics for
consideration will include: mindsight at work, raising children with the brain in
mind, and thriving with uncertainty in life. Time will be provided for the
formation of the Purposeful Professional Learning Communities and the
development of specific group goals. Open discussion, criticisms, and
concerns will be encouraged.
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Walk or other mindful practice
2:15 – 4:15 p.m. Workshop #7: Cultivating Mindsight Part B
Description: In this workshop, we continue where the morning left off.
Further topics for consideration will include: supporting students with
diagnosed mental health issues, trauma and attachment, and fostering healthy
relationships. Open discussion, criticisms, and concerns will be encouraged.
* 4:15-5:00 p.m. Free time for reflection and connection
* 5:00 – 6:00 p.m. Supper
* 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Free time for reflection and connection
* 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Bonfire and Relational Time
* Individuals are encouraged to stay for an evening of further bonding and relaxation, but may
depart as necessary.
Sunday: Retreat Final Thoughts and Departure
SCHEDULE:
7:00 – 8:00 a.m. Optional Yoga
8:00 – 9:00 p.m. Breakfast
9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Community Circle and Parting Words
10:00 a.m. Departure
Half Day: 8:30am to 12:15pm.
To be held at school during the morning of the second semester parent teacher interview
afternoon or other in-school professional development day. This professional development will
be with the whole staff. The theme is “Revisiting Mindsight: What happened?”
8:30 – 9:15 Session #1: What we thought we knew
Description: In this session, the PPLCs will share their hopes, expectations,
and concerns going into and departing from the retreat.
9:30- 10:15 Session #2: What we discovered
Description: In this session, the PPLCs will share the goals and findings from
their PLC time following the retreat.
10:30 – 11:15 Session #3: What we need
Description: In this session, the whole staff will divide into smaller groups and
the PPLCs will act as teacher leaders. These groups will discuss the findings
from the PPLC experiences and formulate questions and lists of required
resources for further PD opportunities.
11:30 – 12:15 Session #4: What it feels like
Description: In this final session, remaining in the divided groupings, the
PPLCs will lead their colleagues through a selection of activities for cultivating
mindsight.
After these sessions, the PPLCs will combine their findings with the results from the “What we
need” session to determine the future direction for the school.
Reference List
Siegel, D. (2010). Mindsight: The new science of personal transformation. New York, NY:
Bantam.
Siegel, D. (2015). Educator course finder. Mindsight Institute [website]. Retrieved from
www.mindsightinstitute.com/search?field_tags_tid=10