The SMART program, which stands for Stress Management and Relaxation Techniques in Education, was created in 2007 by the Impact Foundation, and is managed by PassageWorks in Boulder, Colorado, USA. Based on the Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program of the Center for Mindfulness in Worcester, SMART focuses on supporting the mental, emotional and physical well-being of teachers through the cultivation of emotional competencies, self compassion and mindfulness.
SMART is an evidence-based program targeted towards K-12 teachers that addresses topics such as mindfulness, emotional understanding and regulation, compassion for self and others, concentration and attention. Over ten weeks, participants attend two-hour weekly sessions that include presentations, discussion and experiential activities involving movement, emotional awareness and meditation.
A randomized, waitlist study conducted in 2013 showed positive outcomes, with teachers who have completed the program reporting decreased stress, anxiety, depression and burnout, and increased working memory capacity, greater mindfulness and levels of self-compassion, and more focused attention.*
Roeser, R. W., Schonert-Reichl, K. A., Jha, A., Cullen, M., Wallace, L., Wilensky, R., Oberle, E., Thomson, K., Taylor, C., & Harrison, J. (2013, April 29). Mindfulness Training and Reductions in Teacher Stress and Burnout: Results From Two Randomized, Waitlist-Control Field Trials. Journal of Educational Psychology. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1037/a0032093.
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SMART/EST I: The goal of this project was to test the effects of cognitive-behavioral interventions on quality of life and psychosocial and health status indices in a randomized controlled trial with ethnically representative women with AIDS, including African-American, Caribbean, and Hispanic women. Ten Community Health Centers and 432 HIV+ women were involved with the project. This project was a collaboration with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Research Center.
SMART/EST II: The goal of this project was to test the effects of cognitive-behavioral interventions on quality of life, psychosocial and health status with women who speak English, Spanish or Creole. Eleven Community Health Centers and 450 female patients who received a 16-week intervention in either a group or individual condition and a two-year follow-up were involved. This project was a collaboration with the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine Research Center and St. John’s University.
SMART/EST III: The goal of this multi-site research study was to translate the SMART/EST Women’s Program (SWP), an evidence-based behavioral intervention designed to enhance quality of life and improve health status for ethnically diverse, disadvantaged women living with HIV/AIDS, from the academic setting into the health care system of four HRSA-funded HCs. Five Clinical Health Centers and 428 HIV+ women were involved in the project. This project was a collaboration with University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Life is stressful and sometimes the stress can overwhelm you, but there are steps you can take to learn how to relax.
Normal everyday activities like grocery shopping or traffic jams can make you tense. You might find it hard to unplug from digital devices and streaming services in a 24/7 world. Work deadlines, handling the kids or dealing with a difficult relationship can get you down.
The coronavirus pandemic, a chronic illness, or caring for an elderly relative might be a strain.
“Stress is really how your body and brain respond to challenges, such as pressure at work, [handling] the pandemic, increasing family responsibility, other negative experiences that may impact and create stress,” says David Shurtleff, PhD, deputy director of the National Institutes of Health’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the concerns around stress.
“We’re seeing a lot more anxiety and depression over the last year given the COVID situation,” Shurtleff says.
Mindfulness the S.M.A.R.T. Way
(Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques)
Trauma-Sensitive, SEL*-informed and EDI**-Aware
*SEL = Social and Emotional Learning | **EDI = Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
SMART – A 9-Session Renewal Program
SMART is an evidence-based course that trains participants to better manage work-related and personal stress, in order to cultivate emotional balance.
SMART integrates the teachings, practices and research from (MBSR) Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, (MSC) Mindful Self-compassion, Emotional Literacy, Mindful Movement and draws on the field of Positive Psychology to include Kindness and Compassion training to address the specific needs and challenges of helping professionals.
Each session consists of presentations, group discussions and experiential practices in mindfulness, including mindful movement, visualization, and mindfulness meditation. A 4-hour silent retreat and weekly home practice is also part of the course. Previous experience with mindfulness is not required.
Course Format: SMART workshops are delivered in two live formats: in-person and online. The 20-hour program is delivered in a workshop setting, consists of 8 x 2-hour sessions, a 4-hour silent retreat and includes home practice. Successful participants receive a smartEducation® Certificate of Completion.
Learning Outcomes: The course trains participants to:
- Manage stress through a greater understanding and control of emotions
- Employ self-care techniques to cultivate personal and professional resilience.
- Create effective strategies for relating to challenging situations.
- Enhance concentration and executive function (planning, decision-making, and impulse control).
- Revitalize purpose, personally and professionally
- Improve your overall mental and physical health
- Promote happiness through healthy habits of the mind
The sessions are engaging, interactive and highly participatory. SMART helps you develop inner strength and resilience to be with the challenges of life.
4 Modalities
smartEducation: The SMART program was originally designed to address the needs of educators (K-12 and post-secondary), professional support staff, mental health professionals and community leaders, involved in the education and care of children, youth, and young adults. THe program has since been implemented in post-secondary institutions as well as private practcie settings.
Who Should Attend
Education and helping professionals including teachers, educational assistants, child and youth workers, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists, student support staff as well as administrators and office staff.
smartNursing: The School of Nursing on the Okanagan campus of UBC is one of the first in North America to incorporate a mindfulness themed course in their curriculum. The smartNursing course is now offered to nurses and other health care professionals who would like to to deal in a better way with their own emotions and their own stress and learn real techniques to be able to manage the stress.
Who Should Attend
Health care professionals including nurses, therapists, nutritionists, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, audiologists and speech-language pathologists, physiotherapists as hospital administrators and office staff.
smartProfessional: The SMART program supports a culture of wellness within organizations to build the capacity of people and communities through trauma-informed training and practice, meeting the current and emerging training needs of organizations.
Who Should Attend
Organizational leaders, administrators and staff who are committed to creating healthy workplace environments.
Community Organizations, community and program leaders: Mindfulness Everyday is committed to providing mindfulness-based wellness programs for the staff of organizations that support children and youth, who are facing unprecedented challenges in terms of people and communities requiring services. The burn-out rate of those who work within theses organizations is high. Our evidence-based, trauma-sensitive, SEL informed programs are designed to support the care-givers, by providing them with practical skills, strategies and practices as well as authentic self-care, in small group settings that support the mental health and physical well-being of participants so that they can continue to support others in being an effective community of care.
smartEveryDay: The elements of the SMART program support wellness for an individual to better be with the ups and downs of life. Through practical practices and strategies, the program teaches participants to manage stress, self-regulate their emotions, and improve their communition skills.
Who Should Attend
People who want to positively impact their families, communities, countries and the world through intentional actions that ripple out from the indivdual into the community. Understanding that we are all interconnected in this fragile web of life, and that we can make a difference in our own lives and those around us.
Contact Angela Ventrice Director of Programs
FAQ’s about SMART
Questions
Answers
What is SMART?
An evidence-based, trauma-sensitive, SEL-informed program designed to address the needs of educators (Kindergarten to Grade 12) and professional support staff.
What does SMART mean?
Stress Management and Resiliency Techniques
What is the course format?
The 20-hour program is delivered in a workshop setting, consists of 8 x two- hour sessions, a 4-hour silent retreat and includes home practice.
Is there a certificate available?
Participants who have completed the requirements receive a smartEducation Certificate of Completion.
What is ME responsible for?
ME researches and manages the development of the evidence base for continual updating of the curriculum and training of SMART facilitators
Who are the contacts at ME?
Heidi Bornstein, Director, SMART Ontario
416 267-4707 | [email protected]
Angela Ventrice, Director of Progams
416 884-6843 | [email protected]
What materials are provided?
SMART Participant Manual
Additional relevant resources: articles, books recommendations, websites, cds.
Is there home practice?
There is a manageable amount of home practice – between 15-20 minutes per day.
Who is SMART for?
Educators and helping professionals, nurses, community organizational leaders and staff as well as organizations interested in creating a community of wellness.
Who is SMART taught by?
SMART facilitators have engaged in a 100+ comprehensive training pathway consisting of training programs (Foundations), practicums, mentoring and on-going professional development.
The facilitators each have a personal mindfulness practice, have educational and community experience and are supported by Mindfulness Everyday’s Community of Practice.
Is SMART Evidence-based?
Yes, more information on SMART research HERE:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Karen-Ragoonaden | More Smart Research
What do our SMART facilitators say about the program?
Participants notice increased capacity to:
– befriend your emotions
– use deep self-care to maintain emotional balance, leading to a change of trait, not just a change of state
– manage challenging situations
– effectively improve concentration,
– decision making & wise action enhance purpose and joy in your work and personal life
– relate & respond more effectively to stress to avoid burnout feel better,
– physically and mentally feel connected and part of a like-minded community
– promote leadership develop effective communication skills
– promote positive relationships increase presence
– build on inner resilience
What is the difference between SMART and MBSR?
– Trauma-sensitive
– SEL informed
– Explicit teachings on intention, self-compassion, kindness, empathy and compassion
– Explicit teachings on emotions, emotional balance, emotional literacy and managing strong emotions
– Sessions include simple foundational Mindful Movement flows
– Emphasis on bringing mindfulness into daily life using the attitudes of mindfulness and informal mindfulness practices
How is SMART delivered?
SMART is delivered both In-Person in Ontario and BC, and ONLINE, in a method that is highly participatory, engaging, and interactive.
How much does it cost to take the SMART 9-session program?
SMART FEE Summer 2021 = $420.00 CDN
More Information HERE: https://mindfulnesseveryday.org/schedule.html
Organizational Rates Are Available
Subsidies are available. More Information HERE: https://mindfulnesseveryday.org/mindfulnessineducation.html#scholarships
Is there a “Train the Trainer” program
The SMART Facilitator Training Pathway is a 100+ hour program that involves direct teacher training programs, practicums, mentoring and on-going professional development
More information HERE:
http://www.mindfulnesseveryday.org/smartcertification.html
