Building an Inclusive and Diverse Program
At MIEA, we dedicate ourselves to providing life-changing mindfulness training for young adults everywhere. To achieve our mission, we commit to building a diverse and inclusive community of teachers.
Historically, white teachers in predominantly white communities have taught mindfulness training in the United States. However, to truly connect with emerging adults from all backgrounds, we need teachers who mirror the cultural, racial, and intersectional identities of their students.
Our cultures and identities shape our language, relationships, and teaching approaches. By fostering shared identities, we create a sense of safety, which is essential for the practice of mindfulness.
“The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned.”
– Maya Angelou
At MIEA, we recognize that creating an inclusive community of teachers requires deliberate policies and practices. We are committed to striving for equity and inclusivity by continuously reassessing and refining our initiatives. This ongoing process includes examining how our own ways of being impact the development of inclusive practices.
To advance our mission, we commit to the following:
Teacher Scholarships
We provide tuition scholarships for teachers in economically challenged communities, especially those planning to teach mindfulness in traditionally underrepresented areas.
Scholarships for Teachers of Color
We offer tuition scholarships for teachers of color to reduce barriers and create equal opportunities.
Implicit Bias, Stereotype Threat, & Social Justice
Our teacher training curriculum integrates content that addresses the effects of mindfulness practices on implicit bias, stereotype threat, and their applications in social justice programming.
Trauma-Informed Mindfulness
We include training in trauma-informed mindfulness as part of our teacher training curriculum, providing insights into trauma resulting from systemic racism.
Building Inclusive Training Practices
We hire consultants with expertise in building inclusive training practices to review our intensive teacher training workshop and implement their recommendations fully.
Contemplative Reading Groups
We facilitate reading groups for teachers and students that explore books like “Awakening Together: The Spiritual Practice of Inclusivity and Community” by Larry Yang and “Mindful of Race” by Ruth King.
Teacher Development Courses
We offer a variety of teacher development courses focused on inclusive training, covering topics such as “Unpacking Whiteness and White Racial Identity” and “Trauma-Informed Mindfulness.”
We are committed to continuous growth and improvement as we foster an inclusive and diverse program. We invite guidance, feedback, and commitment from our staff and community of teachers on this ongoing and ever-evolving journey.
