A Personal Journey

By painting facial expressions, this student embarks on a journey of identifying emotions and associating colors with unique feelings—from calming pinks to energizing hues. This mindful exploration helps students to handle strong feelings and express emotions in a constructive way.

Jessica Westman

My journey into mindfulness and meditation began long before I stepped into a classroom, nurtured by the teachings of my Buddhist father. It has been a foundational part of my life, and I can’t imagine growing up with a different perspective.

As I ventured into my career as an art educator, I soon realized that most children lack the ability to center themselves, hindering their capacity to learn and create to their fullest potential. After years of searching for alternative methods to help students find their inner balance, it became evident that it was time to bring my personal mindfulness practices into the classroom.

Art, in and of itself, is a form of mindfulness when approached with intention.

The Link Between Art and Mindfulness
 The significance of mindfulness in the classroom becomes all the more apparent when we consider that art, in and of itself, is a form of mindfulness when approached with intention. This belief is fortified by the research of Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross, whose enlightening book Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us (Random House, 2023) delves into the transformative power of the arts on our minds and bodies. Their research reveals the captivating idea that art naturally ushers us into a state of flow where we are fully present and engaged.

Mindfulness in Practice
Teaching in an urban Title I school, I often witness students who grapple with behaviors linked to underlying triggers. While art inherently possesses therapeutic qualities, it gradually dawned on me that it couldn’t always address the multifaceted challenges my students faced. With this in mind, I embarked on a 200-hour training journey in trauma-informed yoga, mindfulness, and social-emotional learning (SEL) practices tailored for the classroom, and the results have been nothing short of transformative. The dynamics of my classroom underwent a profound transformation when I integrated these programs. Now when students come to art class, they understand that we begin by centering ourselves through mindful breathing exercises. Next, we engage in mantras containing positive affirmations about ourselves. This five-minute routine has yielded remarkable dividends. Referrals have diminished, the quality of art produced has soared, and students’ attitudes have metamorphosed into those befitting budding artists.

A Personal Journey
Reflecting on my two decades of teaching, I can’t help but acknowledge the pivotal role that mindfulness has played in shaping me into a more centered and mindful adult capable of effectively navigating classroom dynamics. Practicing mindfulness with my students daily has not only empowered them, but also fostered my own growth as an educator.

I believe that my calling extends beyond the confines of the art room. I believe that it’s profoundly impactful to teach children who are in a state of perpetual imbalance how to regain equilibrium independently. This empowers them to take control of their emotions and behaviors, ultimately preparing them for the challenges they’ll face outside the classroom. As educators, we possess the immense potential to transform lives through the fusion of mindfulness and creativity, paving the way for a brighter and more harmonious future.

Jessica Westman teaches art at Frederick Douglass Elementary School in Winchester, Virginia. westmanj@wps.k12.va.us