Effects of Fostering Body Awareness in Teachers

• In Event: Roundtable Session 23
  In Roundtable Session: Holistic Principles Guiding Research and Action on Children's Educational Experiences and Opportunities

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of professional development in body awareness on the presence experience of teachers. A class designed to foster presence through increased body awareness was conducted with five participants for the purpose of: 1) promoting teachers’ understanding of the presence experience, 2) developing a practical approach to enhance presence practices among teachers, and 3) conducting research on how teachers might develop an understanding of presence. The findings indicated that cultivating body awareness led to enhanced relationships, the adoption of new teaching strategies, and a different perspective of the teachers’ role in the classroom. The potential for incorporating instructional strategies to foster a more holistic approach to teacher development are discussed.

Authors

• Sara Ahangar Ahmadi, Ohio University

• John E. Henning, Monmouth University