Contemplative Pedagogy (CP) is an approach to education that uses contemplative practices, attention to the full student experience, and an interest in transformative learning to create more meaningful course environments. According to Daniel Barbezat and Mirabai Bush in Contemplative Practices in Higher Education: Powerful Methods to Transform Teaching and Learning, contemplative pedagogy “can help develop empathy and communication skills, improve focus and attention, reduce stress and enhance creativity, supporting a loving and compassionate approach to life.” CTL supports the integration of contemplative pedagogy into course design and teaching through:
- Regular contemplative pedagogy meetings
- Individual consultations
- Online resources
Contemplative Pedagogy Group
CTL supports UMass’ strategic interest in deep engagement with course concepts, student resiliency, stress management, inclusive teaching, and sense of belonging through regular contemplative pedagogy meetings during the academic year. Our group attracts educators and administrators from across the disciplines, including over 200 non-unique participants per year. All are welcome to attend. Meetings typically involve sharing teaching experiences and resources related to contemplative pedagogy and mindful education. To join the mailing list, contact Brian Baldi.
In Fall 2024, the Contemplative Pedagogy Group gathers on the following dates:
- September, 9/20 (10:00 AM to 11:30 AM): “Finding Our Center in Times of Turmoil”
In this gathering, we will look at the semester ahead, reflect on our bodily and cognitive responses to turmoil, how those responses manifest in our teaching, and discuss ways of finding joy and resilience so that we can more sustainably meet the difficulties of the day and help our students. Facilitated by Brian Baldi (CTL) and Lena Fletcher (Environmental Conservation). - October, 10/11 (10:00 AM to 11:30 AM): "Teaching the Neuropsychology of Stress & Meditation"
In this gathering, Amanda Hamel (Psychological and Brain Sciences) will share her experience designing and teaching a psychology course on mindfulness, stress, and wellbeing. Join us to hear how Dr. Hamel built her course around research on mindfulness and gave students regular opportunities to try meditation techniques. Together, we will discuss how it feels to start using contemplative pedagogy in our classes and share ideas for introducing meditative practices in the classroom. Facilitated by Brian Baldi (CTL). - November, 11/1 (10:00 AM to 11:30 AM): “Human Flourishing in the Classroom”
How can you incorporate “human flourishing” into your courses, helping students thrive both inside and outside the classroom? This summer, guest speaker and Studio Arts MFA graduate student Michael Medeiros attended a workshop on teaching The Art and Science of Human Flourishing, a course for first-year students developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Center for Healthy Minds. Michael is using this framework and his background in MBSR and other mindfulness practices to design curricula that weave concepts of human flourishing into art and writing foundations courses. In this gathering, we’ll explore how faculty across campus can use this approach to promote student success, wellbeing, and community. Facilitated by Lena Fletcher (Environmental Conservation). - December, 12/13 (10:00 AM to 11:30 AM): “Learning from Our Experiences this Semester”
In this gathering, we will take some time to be intentional together and reflect on our fall semester experiences, with a focus on what we have learned. We will connect around our successes and challenges, reflecting on what we can learn from them and each other as a community of contemplative educators. For more information about the CP Group, see our webpage. For the event link, email Brian Baldi at bbaldi@umass.edu.
All gatherings will be offered in a hybrid modality, with in person attendance in the CTL conference room in W. E. B. Dubois Library, 7th floor. For an event link, email bbaldi@umass.edu.
Past Programming and History
The UMass CTL's Contemplative Pedagogy Group was founded in 2015 with support from a Teaching and Learning Center Grant from the Center for the Contemplative Mind in Society, and building on prior campus contemplative efforts by leaders such as Chancellor David Scott, Katja Hahn D'Errico, and Albey Reiner.
UMass Courses & Contemplative Pedagogy
UMass faculty from disciplines as varied as anthropology, education, service learning, natural resources conservation, biochemistry, and history use contemplative pedagogy in their teaching. To learn which of your colleagues use these techniques, please see our list of UMass Courses Taught with Contemplative Pedagogy. And be sure to check out Lena Fletcher's (Environmental Conservation) Faculty Success profile on how she uses contemplative pedagogy in her classes!
Contemplative Pedagogy Resources
Contemplative pedagogy is a growing field supported by an ever-expanding list of resources and perspectives. CTL has compiled a resource page containing links to classroom exercises, articles, books, webinars, journals, research centers, and other resources that can support your interest in using contemplative techniques in the classroom.
Contemplative Campus
Faculty, librarians, students, and staff at UMass Amherst have access to a variety of contemplative and mindful resources and activities, including the UMass Student Meditation Group, UMass Meditates, contemplative resources, and various mindfulness opportunities.
