Holistic Practices for Supporting Well-Being: Insights From Teacher Candidates

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Approaches to Seeing the Whole Person

Abstract

This paper reports on a study that examined the perspectives and experiences of teacher candidates who learned about and engaged in holistic strategies and practices for building teacher wellness and resilience in the midst of a required preservice course on the topic of supporting the wellbeing of students. Findings from this study revealed three aspects of the course that were most impactful for teacher candidates: a focus on the importance of teacher self-care and well-being; opportunities to learn about and engage in regular mindfulness practice; and a voluntary technology break during the duration of the course. This study reports on the details how and why these were supportive and impactful. The implications for practice and research are considered.

Author

• Shelley Murphy, OISE/University of Toronto