Educated Minds

Educated Minds follows the experiences and exploits of a handful of 5th grade students at Bret Hart Elementary, focusing in particular on Rayqan and Mr. Ben, a cheerful and exuberant 5th grader, and a progressive thinking 5th grade teacher who is unwaveringly committed to his students. With the school year moving forward, a set of tools to enhance the students and teachers learning experience is introduced by a community based organization located in Oakland, California, Mindful Schools. This program is designed to implement the practice of mindfulness into Mr. Ben's curriculum, where a Mr. Golden (a Mindful Schools trainer) visits their classroom three times a week through extensive fifteen minute sessions, lasting approximately five weeks. Mr. Ben and his students embark on a new process, and their journey begins with the question, 'What is mindfulness?' As the mindfulness practice becomes part of their weekly routine, we observe the ways that Rayquan and Mr. Ben adjust to this new learning tool, how to identify with it, and the ways in which they can apply to other aspects of their lives.