Sheila's Background - The Why
In 2020, when our world and my job as a Preschool Teacher turned upside down because of Covid-19, I turned to online yoga classes. They helped rebuild my physical and mental endurance to face these challenges and reinforced my love for the practice. As I was practicing, I realized I could adapt many of these techniques for my students, and that maybe they could receive some of the same benefits that I was.
Then I learned about Breathe for Change (B4C). Breathe For Change is a movement on a mission to enhance the health and well-being of educators, students, and entire communities. They offer the world’s only 200-hour Wellness, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and Yoga Teacher training designed specifically for educators. I found this inspiring, and exactly what I needed at exactly the right time.
So I enrolled and became certified as a Breathe for Change Yoga Teacher and Social Emotional Learning Facilitator! This certification enables me to teach inclusive and trauma-informed yoga and meditation practices to adults and children, as well as to be a leader of SEL and wellness programs. This training was life-changing for me, and I quickly realized I needed to share this with others. I immediately began teaching friends and family members, as well as Toddlers and Preschoolers at my current school, but that wasn’t enough.
That’s what prompted Learning the Calm. Learning the Calm uses B4C principles, combined with my 20+ years of experience leading and training both kids and adults, to make a positive difference in both educators and young children in my area. The idea is to heal ourselves so that we may best help others. With teacher stress and demands at unprecedented highs, and student test scores and mental health at unbelievable lows, teachers AND students need this now more than ever.
Qualifications
- 200 hour Wellness, Social Emotional Learning, and Yoga Teacher Training - Breathe for Change
- Registered Children's Yoga Teacher (RCYT) - Yoga Ed
- 8+ years Licensed Preschool Teacher, Lead Teacher Qualified, and Level 3 on Colorado Shines PDIS
- 20+ years working with children in various capacities, including Camp Director, Childcare Director, and Gymnastics Coach
