Empower Yourself & Your Students: Free SEL Training! ??

Your well-being matters just as much as your students’. Research shows that positive teacher-student relationships significantly boost student engagement and academic success. But to truly support your students, you need to prioritize your own social-emotional well-being first.

?? Join us for "Future-Ready SEL: It Starts with SEL*F"—an interactive, free workshop designed to empower educators with the tools to thrive in and out of the classroom. Led by Dr. Ilana Nankin, Founder & CEO of Breathe For Change, and Sam Levine, Associate Professor, this session will provide practical, research-backed strategies to strengthen your own SEL skills while fostering well-being in your students.

? Here's What's In Store For You:

• ? Explore?Breathe For Change’s SEL*F curriculum, which positions educators at the heart of SEL transformation
• ? Deepen your understanding of the?five CASEL competencies?and the?eight components of SEL
• ? Learn practical strategies for you and your students to strengthen SEL skills and well-being
• ? Live Q&A to get your questions answered in real-time

This webinar is designed for both new and experienced educators who want to prioritize their well-being, deepen their SEL expertise, and create more resilient and connected learning communities.

?? Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025 ? Time: 4 PM PT | 7 PM ET ?? Location: Online

??Bonus: All live attendees will receive a professional development certificate of attendance!?

??Save your seat today as the spots are limited!

Meet Ellie Farriba...?

An ESOL teacher at Howard High School, Ellie has been teaching for 19 years and is making waves in her school community through mindfulness, SEL, and wellness initiatives. Since completing Breathe For Change’s Mindfulness, SEL, and Yoga Teacher Training, Ellie has transformed her school’s approach to well-being—so much so that her efforts were featured in the local news! (Read the full story here.)

Her impact? Expansive and inspiring. ?

• ??Bringing SEL & Mindfulness to the Entire School – Ellie writes a weekly Self-Care Corner for her school’s newsletter, ensuring wellness remains a priority for staff and students.
• ??? Creating Opportunities for Community Well-Being – She leads Mindful Monday chair yoga sessions for students and staff, as well as a monthly Self-Care & Wellness Club—providing structured spaces for reflection and connection.
• ??? Supporting Educators Beyond Her Classroom – Ellie was invited to lead a district-wide wellness session for international teachers, where she guided them through SEL strategies, breathwork, and compassionate self-care practices.

Ellie’s words:

“ Trust yourself. After graduating from a Breathe For Change course, you have so much to share that can benefit others. Put what you have learned out there and trust that the ones who are ready will soak it up. Even if you only reach one person, you have made a difference."

????Are you an alumni or current student? Share your story on LinkedIn and tag Breathe For Change for a chance to be featured!?

Breath is our most powerful tool for self-regulation, and belly breathing helps both students and teachers cultivate calm, focus, and resilience. This simple yet transformative practice aligns with the SEL competencies of self-awareness and self-management, empowering students to build a deeper connection between their mind, body, and breath

? Why Belly Breathing?

Many students, especially those experiencing stress or trauma, tend to breathe shallowly into their chest. Belly breathing engages the diaphragm, activating the parasympathetic nervous system to promote relaxation, reduce anxiety, and enhance focus. With consistent practice, students learn to use their breath as an anchor to navigate challenges in the classroom and beyond.

?Here's How to Do It ????

• For Younger Students: Introduce Bear Belly Breathing!
• Have students bring out their "bear paws" and growl like a bear ??.
• Place hands on their "big bear belly" and take three deep breaths:
• Inhale: Fill the belly with air.
• Exhale: Slowly let it go.
• Ask them how they feel after their bear breaths—calm, focused, ready to learn!

• For Older Students: Experiment with Chest vs. Belly Breathing
• Have students place one hand on their chest and the other on their belly.
• Guide them to breathe into their chest first—notice how short and shallow it feels.
• Now, instruct them to breathe deeply into their belly—notice how grounding and relaxing it is.
• Discuss the difference: Which breath helps them feel more present and focused?

??Classroom Implementation Tip: Use belly breathing at the start of class to ground students, before a test to reduce stress, or at the end of the day for a calm transition. Encourage students to practice this at home, giving them a lifelong tool for emotional well-being.?

????Click here to see this SEL strategy in action ??

Want more classroom-ready strategies, lesson plans, and toolkits?

Good Reads of The Week ??

• Well-being in Education is a Collective Responsibility ?| Gessa
• Research: Teachers’ emotional labour: the joys, demands, and constraints | TANDF
• 5 Restorative Practices That Help Teachers Create Connections | ESchool
• Meditation Breaks in School Can Improve Students' Mental Health | People
• How Students Literally ‘Work Out’ Behavior Problems | National Education Association?
• The Long-Term Effects of Bullying | mentalhealth.com

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