Teacher Training Landing Page
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Teacher Training Resources
Curriculum Development
Talks on Educating Children
Books
Articles
Teacher Training Resources
Secular Buddhism Podcast with Noah Rasheta
An accessible podcast series with 30-40 minute episodes that cover some of Buddhism's most basic tenets from a Zen Buddhist practitioner who is familiar with other traditions. Great for beginners and also seasoned practitioners. MWS often recommends this podcast for curious parents who enroll at the school with limited understanding of Buddhism.Interview: “The Sacred Work of Sandra Cisneros”
Angélica Paljor wrote this interview with Sandra Cisneros published in August, 2022 on Lion’s Roar entitled, “The Sacred Work of Sandra Cisneros.” The author speaks candidly about her own struggles, and how writing has been a practice that has helped transform them. An essential ingredient in Buddhist education is seeing how others integrate their view and practice into their work, art, and lives. Cisneros' example is vital as students work on developing their own voice, and considering how their view and self-expression are inextricable.Center for Advancement of Contemplative Education (“CACE”)
From their website, "As a hub for the study and development of contemplative education, CACE at Naropa offers various ways for educators and students to integrate contemplative pedagogy and practice into their teaching and studies..."Contemplative Education Resources from Naropa University
Classroom practices and resources for contemplative education from Naropa University's Center for the Advancement of Contemplative Education.My Experience with Abiding Heart Education’s Child Development Course
"Child Development from Birth to Rebirth," now offered online, took me on a journey of self-discovery and inquiry, through lectures on Buddhism, developmental science, meditation and medicine, arts and dance.A glimpse into the Abiding Heart Kindergarten Curriculum
Many of you who have read about the Abiding Heart Education kindergarten teacher training course might still be wondering what the richness and fullness of this course involves. In this post we would like to offer a glimpse into the content of the kindergarten curriculum that trainees learn how to teach. This document was created by the Abiding Heart staff.Teaching With Bravery Online Course
Self-paced online course that guides the teacher in developing a unified practice of meditation and teaching.Education of the Heart: Research-backed Educator Resources
This website offers an extensive selection of readings and resources, covering topics such as Social and Emotional Learning, mindfulness and awareness in education, the value of kindness and compassion in the classroom, and more.
Curriculum Development
Middle Way Lesson Plan Template
As a research organization, Middle Way Education supports the research and development of Buddhist educational materials through various projects and institutions. The Middle Way School is one such institution where this research takes place.
This lesson plan template is how teachers at the Middle Way School organize their lessons into a clear plan. Please feel free to use it in any and all ways that you find helpful.
Want to Start a Buddhist School?
Middle Way Education’s pilot school, Middle Way School in Saugerties, Upstate New York, opened its doors in 2018. But the school began long before that, with research, planning, and lots of logistics. Here we share our practical checklist for starting a school, which covers everything from defining a vision to securing a site, determining the organizational structure of the school, and hiring staff. Our mission at Middle Way Education is to support Buddhist education initiatives of all kinds. We hope this resource will help to guide and inspire all those looking to start a Buddhist school of their own.
The Five Domains of Learning
In order to assure a balanced education at the Middle Way School, they have identified five content areas or domains of learning, drawing from the traditional five Buddha families. Inspired by the qualities of the five elements—water, earth, fire, air, space. Each of these areas also has a correlating guiding principle, which helps guide their approach to teaching and learning, knowing that we are never really confined to just one domain or element. This is simply a structure to deepen the focus for teachers and students.
Thematic Units Overview
The Middle Way School organizes the academic year by thematic units. Each unit has a flexible duration of 1 week to 2 months and is designed so that it can be adapted to suit the structure of a variety of learning environments, whether it be a school or a camp or even at home.
The units are drawn from traditional Buddhist practice and study that seem most fertile for student inquiry.
Talks on Educating Children
Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche On Harmony
Is harmony a Buddhist concept? Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche addresses this and other questions relating to the concept of harmony in education.Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche on Buddhist Education
Speaking at the Buddha Educational Foundation in Taipei, Rinpoche presents his vision of a buddhist education for life. (Click 'Download' for a transcript).Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche on Buddhism and Education Part II
This is the second occasion where Rinpoche addressed questions from parents and educators. This talk included diverse topics including social media, self-reliance, resilience, going beyond conventional education, how to present Buddhism to non-buddhists, how to teach kids about lineage, death, deities, mantra, how to let children lead their own learning and much more.Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche on Buddhist Parenting and Education
In this talk, Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche answers questions from parents and teachers about Buddhism and raising children in today's world.Shugen Roshi on the Benefits of Buddhist Education
In this talk for parents at the Middle Way School, Shugen Roshi, abbot of Zen Mountain Monastery, talks about the value of the dharma in schools.Compassion in Education: Kristin Lhatso at MWS
Audio recording of Kristin Lhatso sharing her thoughts and research on Compassion in Education with a group of MWS parents, teachers, and friends.Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche on Buddhist Education in Modern Society
This teaching by Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche, brought to you by Siddhartha's Intent, was given in 2014 in Malaysia.Middle Way School on the Radio!
Middle Way School founding director Noa Jones spoke with WAMC Radio's Allison Dunne about the vision and scope of the school. The program aired June 11, 2018.
