How Mindfulness Applies in the Educational Setting

 

Dr. Nancy Coogan

Dr. Nancy Coogan is an education administrator in Washington State. Also a dedicated educational researcher, Dr. Nancy Coogan maintains an interest in mindfulness in the school setting and has published multiple articles on the subject.

Mindfulness is an introspective state wherein individuals remain focused on the present and observe feelings without labeling them as either good or bad. Mindfulness promotes living in the moment, as opposed to dwelling on past misfortunes or anxieties about the future.

From an educational perspective, mindfulness enables school administrators to navigate leadership challenges and balance responsibilities effectively. Mindful administrators learn the importance of authenticity, self-acceptance, and full engagement in the present to prevent complacency.

In the classroom, teachers and educators use mindfulness to cultivate awareness and keep students engaged. Mindfulness meditations help students improve their ability to concentrate by rooting them in the present and teaching them to regulate their emotions. Mindfulness also benefits students with mental or behavioral challenges that hinder their performance.

Becoming a Mindful Superintendent in a “Turnaround” District – A Study

Dr. Nancy Coogan

An education administrator with over two decades of experience, Dr. Nancy Coogan has held leadership positions at several Washington school districts and conducts extensive research on mindfulness in the educational sector. Dr. Nancy Coogan’s findings on the subject have appeared in various academic publications, and in 2015, she co-authored “Becoming a Mindful Superintendent in a ‘Turnaround’ District” for the Open Journal of Leadership.

The paper explored the challenges and turbulence experienced by superintendents due to the implementation of turnaround policies that trigger employee turnover. Dr. Coogan and her associates specifically focused on the role of mindfulness in helping leaders improve instructional services, increase student achievement, and balance multiple responsibilities. In addition, they examined how mindfulness gives them the tools to balance problems that are associated with decreased satisfaction of school faculty and heighted instability.

A new superintendent for a small, urban school district served as the central figure of the study described in the paper. Dr. Coogan and her associates spent two years observing, conducting interviews, and gathering artifacts on the superintendent’s experiences in leading a turnaround process and balancing accompanying demands. The research team concluded that while high stakes accountability can promote change, mindfulness practices more efficiently build resilience.

Importance of Strategic Planning in Schools

Dr. Nancy Coogan

Dr. Nancy Coogan held several top positions in public schools and school districts, including as a superintendent. As the superintendent of Tukwila School District, Dr. Nancy Coogan implemented a strategic plan that involves the participation of teachers, leaders, staff, and family to help scholars succeed.

Implementing a successful strategic plan in a school entails proper management of time and people and close monitoring of progress in terms of student success and organizational goals. Strategic planning gathers parents, teachers, administrators, school heads, board members, and even the community to work together toward achieving the vision, mission, and goals of an institution. Apart from this, a strategic plan is crucial for schools for to the following reasons:

– Strategic planning unites a school with its staff. A strategic plan provides a roadmap whereby the school board can track, evaluate, and, if necessary, adjust for better decision-making. It also shows where the school is headed and how the staff plays an essential role in executing the strategies laid out in the plan.

– Strategic planning keeps the school focused on its priority, the students. A strategic plan presents a framework designed to take care of the students’ educational achievements.

The Best Ways to Travel Through Europe

 

Travel Through Europe
Image: ricksteves.com

An experienced academic administrator, Dr. Nancy Coogan served as superintendent of Tukwila School District in Washington for four years. Presently, she strives to benefit patients by seeking opportunities in clinical research that bring healthcare and education together. Dr. Nancy Coogan enjoys travel in her free time and has journeyed throughout Europe.

Here are some of the best ways to travel through Europe:

1. Traveling by bus is often the most affordable way to get from one European country to the next, although this is likely the slowest. Flixbus is a German-based bus system that travels through 20 European countries. However, many choose Eurolines, an umbrella company that operates internationally with many European countries’ national bus systems.

2. Taking the train may be more comfortable and faster than traveling by bus, but is usually more expensive. Instead of buying individual tickets, travelers can opt for a Eurail pass for discounts while traveling long distances.

3. To travel the most quickly, there are a number of budget airlines that fly throughout Europe and can save tourists money when they book in advance. Fares are kept low because of competition between airlines. However, there often are many fees associated with these airlines.