Joanne Despard
Mindfulness Instructor, Teacher, Director of New Life Design Studio
Chicopee MA USA
About My Work
Profession/Role
- Classroom Teacher
Ages
- K5
- 6th-8th
- 9th-12th
- Higher Ed
- Other
Environments
- After School
- Education / Classroom Program
- Other
Biography
Joanne has been practicing mindfulness meditation for more than 10 years. Her practice has deepened over the years through personal reflection and professional training. She teaches in the Chicopee Public School system in Massachusetts, and teaches the Mindful Schools’ curriculum to targeted classrooms throughout the school year. She enjoys teaching these key life skills to children. Joanne has created “Mindful Minute” cards (based on the Mindful Schools’ curriculum) which support and encourage mindfulness practice in the classroom. She also designed and co-published an award-winning children’s book on mindfulness (‘You Are Not Your Thoughts’), in collaboration with her husband Brian. The book is endorsed by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn.