They are lessons you don't usually find on the curriculum; things like meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises and even yoga.
They may not be common in the classroom practices, but teachers say they are necessary. “Students are becoming more and more stressed because their schedules are more and more full,” said Mr. Williams.
Brett Williams was looking for a way to help his students de-stress. Mr. Williams, who teaches fifth grade at Oakdale Elementary in District 66 enlisted the help of Miss Omaha, Wellesley Michael.
“When I was in high school I was stressed all the time and no idea what to do and yoga became my saving grace,” said Miss Omaha, Wellesley Michael. At age 18,
Michael got certified as a children's yoga instructor. Michael's pageant platform is called “Mindful Schools: Peace Begins with Me.” She shares her skill set with classrooms across town.
Michael says she loves teaching students ways to calm down in class and positive affirmations.
The yoga is always fun too. “Sometimes we will do balance poses like tree poses and everyone will fall over, but that's the fun of it too,” said Michael.
The students say they learned a lot. “Like when you're stressed out and you're not relaxed or anything, you can always just breathe,” said fifth grader, Whitney Faust.
“It was like something kind of new for me and it helped me be relaxed for all the tests we have in fifth grade,” said fifth grader Nick Anglim. Mr. Williams says Miss Omaha’s visit will be very beneficial with his NESA tests coming up.
