Empowering Minds: Engagement through Mindfulness and Culturally Responsive Teaching

Jazmin Rivera Polanco • Cahn Fellow 2023

Students who feel disconnected from their school community can have a difficult time engaging in the school environment. When a student has not performed well in their classes due to chronic absenteeism and lack of engagement, it takes creative approaches to reel them back into their classes. It can be difficult to get students to see school as a place of learning and academic growth when there are so many competing diversions from social media, peers, and their families. In addition, students who hail from the poorest congressional district in the nation may not see themselves outside of the poverty cycle. It takes a lens of understanding and knowing their journey to tap into a place for them to change their own perspectives.

We have entered a world where the noise does not stop. By understanding and valuing the diverse cultural backgrounds of students, educators can use mindfulness to foster a sense of belonging and encourage active participation in the classroom.