PMP422: Pathway for Mindful Teachers with Danielle Nuhfer

Principal Matters: The School Leader's Podcast with William D. Parker

A quick note to listeners:

Before this week’s interview, Jen Schwanke and Will Parker answered a listener question in a 5-minute response.

The question is: How can I use time effectively while also making time for self-care?

Here’s a free resource Will refers to by Michael Hyatt: https://assessments.fullfocus.co/lifescore/

Also, check out Will’s book, Pause. Breathe. Flourish.: Living Your Best Life as an Educator.

Listen in for our response and thank you for doing what matters!

Meet Danielle Nuhfer

Danielle Nuhfer, author of The Path of the Mindful Teacher and founder of Teaching Well. She is a former teacher turned coach and has devoted over two decades to supporting educators through the complexities of the educational system. In this episode, Danielle discusses her transformative journey in education, her insights on improving school environments through mindfulness, and her practical strategies for personal and professional growth.

First, she dives into a transformative topic: bringing mindfulness into our schools. Danielle shares how mindfulness has revolutionized her approach to education, starting with a pivotal moment in 2006 when her principal noticed a change in her demeanor. That observation pushed her to take a closer look at her work-life balance and self-care. Fast forward to 2014—though she was thriving professionally, she hit a personal wall due to a lack of boundaries. This led her to embrace mindfulness as a key part of her daily life.

Danielle walks us through practical strategies for mindfulness, starting with understanding our internal scripts—those automatic reactions we all have. By identifying “internal scripts” and understanding why we react the way we do, we can lead with greater awareness and empathy.

One of her powerful examples is “flipping your autopilot reactions.” She shares a story about how she shifted her response to a student’s tardiness, which not only prevented conflict but also fostered understanding and connection.

For those of us navigating stressful times, Danielle recommends tracking emotions and triggers with simple tools like post-it notes throughout the day. She also suggests focusing on one trigger at a time to gain deeper insight into our responses. And a favorite tip: integrate activities like stretching or walking to stay proactive instead of reactive, ensuring we’re present and grounded for our students.

If you’re ready to start your journey toward mindfulness, Danielle’s website, TeachingWell.life, is a fantastic resource. She believes that by embodying mindfulness, we can lead our teams toward a culture of reflection and growth.

Thank you for tuning into this week’s episode of Principal Matters! Visit us for more episodes, and don’t forget to subscribe to stay updated on future conversations. Let’s keep making a difference, one mindful step at a time, and thank you for doing what matters!

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