MBSR Teacher Mentoring
Receiving individual attention and support from an experienced MBSR Teacher can be invaluable to one’s development as a teacher, be it at the start of the journey or a later stages of deepening teaching as a practice.
New MBSR teachers benefit greatly from mentoring through their first few cycles of the MBSR class. More experienced teachers reach out to develop specific skills or to support them in addressing difficulties arising in their groups.
These individual sessions are accepted as part of the certification process at the Mindfulness Center at Brown University and the Global Mindfulness Collaborative, with which I am affiliated. Supervision is required as part of the certification process for MBSR teachers in training.
Experienced Teacher Mentoring:
These sessions can be one-offs or support an entire 8-week cycle. An individual consult can determine what is best for your situation.
New Teacher Mentoring:
With new teachers we schedule 10-weekly one-hour sessions starting the week of orientation and running through the entire 8-week cycle plus one concluding session. You will be expected to video record each class (not the orientation or daylong) and provide this recording at least one day prior to our weekly session with specific excerpts you’d like me to focus on. As well, I will listen to all your meditation recordings and provide feedback for these.
In each session we discuss how each class unfolded, what was effective and worth building on and where the challenges or missed opportunities were. Then we look at the week ahead and what your plan and intention is for each class.
To find out more, schedule a free exploratory conversation, and we can determine how we might work together.
How I work individually with MBSR Teachers
What to expect
A friendly, nonjudgmental and encouraging approach
Exploring teaching MBSR as a practice in itself
For new MBSR Teachers
10 weekly 60-minute individual sessions
Review of video class recordings, with feedback
Review of all class materials, with feedback
Support in preparing week to week as the curriculum unfolds
Guidance on readiness for certification
For experienced MBSR Teachers
Ad hoc support on challenges arising in an MBSR cycle
Focus on developing certain capacities, such as inquiry or trauma sensitivity
Clarity on Buddhist underpinnings of the curriculum to deepen understanding
Guidance for future development and resources
Kind Words
“I asked Jon to mentor me when I taught my first two MBSR classes in Japan. Jon is an experienced and caring mentor, and created a safe and trusting atmosphere which helped me to develop confidence as a teacher.”
“Jon Aaron is the complete package for MBSR teacher mentoring: as deeply practiced as he is knowledgeable, combining the heart and soul of an artist with the street-wise realism of a veteran New Yorker. Like other great teachers, he elevates the seemingly mundane and normalizes the extraordinary. There were so many moments when I thought, ‘Oh, another keeper. I’ve got to write that down.’ Studying with him, I felt companioned, yet nudged to spread my wings and fly under my own power. Thoroughly enjoyable and utterly valuable.”
“Jon is not only an excellent MBSR instructor, but he is also a deep meditation and dharma practitioner, who has done the hard work, and continues to seek out deep training and practice opportunities and challenges. This depth is reflected in his teaching and in his mentorship of other instructors. As an MBSR instructor I’ve turned to Jon for his deep and nuanced understanding of daily practice and deep dharma, as well as his well-honed gifts of clear, direct, and simple communication. He has helped me, time and time again, and gently but firmly challenged me to improve as a practitioner and instructor, and I have sent many students over the years to work with and learn from him, and will continue to do so. I feel incredibly fortunate to hold him as one of my mentors and guides in this work.”
FAQs
Do I need to be delivering an MBSR course in order to work with you?
Ideally yes! I generally meet with mentees between classes to speak about what happened in the last class and what concerns are present for the class coming up. Generally I ask that classes be video recorded and that specific excerpts be highlighted for me to view prior to a session. The exception would be if a mentee has a specific aspect of teaching they want to address and has videos of a prior course to observe.
Can you help me with marketing my courses?
I can make suggestions, but I’m not a marketing person. I will offer what advice I can as part of an initial consult.
What are your fees?
For a full 8-week course mentoring I charge $1,800.00 for 10 sessions.
What is your coaching / mentoring style?
I’m direct and relaxed. Much of the mentoring process is one of inquiry. I want to know why you made certain choices, or what you were hoping to communicate. I try to push enough so that you will have clear intention throughout your teaching.
Can you recommend me for certification?
I am authorized to recommend for certification through the Global Mindfulness Collaborative.