“The inclusion of a skilled mindfulness facilitator made a huge difference on our sites. When I first arrived at St. HOPE I was not deeply familiar with the approach {of mindfulness} and so did not appreciate the impact it has on supporting a caring and safe environment for students, or how much positive difference it would make in the culture of respect and attention. I can only say that I was sufficiently impressed with Ms. DiGioia’s process and program that I not only emphatically encouraged and endorsed her efforts but have taken it to the next level by pursuing training for myself and other department staff so we can continue what she began here…” ~Dr. Karen Romito, Director of Special Education, St. HOPE, Sacramento, CA

(*The above is a segment from a letter of recommendation. This and additional letters are available upon request.)

“Having language to talk about mindfulness has been truly incredible. There is such a need for students to be able to self-regulate and this program gave them a taste of what that looks like! Thank you for everything! Room three loves our finger taps and zones of regulation!” -Amber Weber, 2nd grade Teacher, Shell Beach Elementary (MK YOU School-wide Program)

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“Miss Dee is fabulous & the students have clearly benefited greatly from these lessons!! The lessons were engaging for all students with lots of movement involved. My students loved the puppets and other props used in each lesson. Mindfulness empowers students with strategies for communication, expressing feelings, and coping with stress and other life challenges. Very important for every day life! The breathing and listening (bell chime) lessons were especially powerful! We need more lessons!” ~ SG, Kindergarten Teacher, Shell Beach Elementary (MK YOU School-wide Program)

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“I loved Class 1 (on what is mindfulness, stillness, mindful body awareness) because it’s so obvious my kids NEED this. I loved Class 3 (on the Zones and Emotions) because I see the great need for kids to have a vocabulary to express and ID their emotions. I loved all the tools they can add to their SEL bag of tricks. I feel teaching all of this to kids is invaluable, as in if we in school don’t teach it (the language, the strategies, etc.) how many kids will have poor coping skills in an anxiety ridden world? THANK YOU for all your time and passion invested into making this happen- so hopeful PTO keeps it going!” ~ CL, 2nd grade Teacher, Shell Beach Elementary (MK YOU School-wide Program)

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“I think it has been a great way for students to learn what mindfulness is and how to apply it. The strategies have been used several times in class and students really do have an understanding of what it means to feel certain ways and how to ground themselves so that they can move on.” CV, TK Teacher, Shell Beach Elementary (MK YOU School-wide Program)

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“In the short time given, the lessons have given my students several different strategies to help them deal with daily frustrations. Not only have I observed them using them individually but I have also heard them reminding their peers to use them. I know it was beyond your control, but it would have been amazing to have weekly sessions rather than every other week.” ~ SB, 1st grade Teacher, (MK YOU School-wide Program)  Comment: I would have liked weekly as well! ~Dee 🙂

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“It was such a pleasure working with you Dee! You are a fabulous human being and the work you did with our kids in “Circles” was so so transformative! Keep up being sunshine, this place really needs you!”  ~Emma Shandy, 1st grade teacher, PS7 – Sacramento, CA

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“Dee recently introduced mindfulness to our corps members and the response and participation were extremely positive. Many were excited to learn better coping skills and strengthen resiliency. They asked so many questions and wished she could return again soon!” ~ Natalie Lambert, Education Coordinator, Los Padres Center, California Conservation Corps

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“Sometimes life puts one in the right place at the right time. After seeing a flyer for {your Adult Ed class}, I thought that it sounded like something that called to me after a particularly busy time in my life. I was overwhelmingly pleased to find out that each week’s one hour class held small epiphanies and important reminders of how to honor life’s challenges, care for oneself, and develop better relationships with others.  Ms. DiGioia was an exceptional facilitator. I would recommend this course to anyone as I think we could all gain from these life lessons, whether it be professionally or personally.” ~Piper Adelman, LMUSD Librarian

“ME Time has helped me make better decisions when I’m in a highly stressful situation like a contentious IEP meeting. I believe that it’s a tool that can benefit adults and children alike in any environment. If teachers are calmer and can control their emotional responses, imagine how much calmer their students will be?” ~Christina Saad, St HOPE School Psychologist (feedback from “ME Time” –Mindfulness in Education after school series for staff at St HOPE Charter School, Sacramento, CA)

“I loved ME Time. I liked that I learned more about the practice of mindfulness, but also had the opportunity to “practice the practice” in a really supportive environment.” ~Kandace Forrester, Director of Student Services, (feedback from “ME Time” –Mindfulness in Education after school series for staff at St HOPE Charter School, Sacramento, CA)

“I have to admit that the first couple meetings I was thinking I can’t believe I’m going to commit to this. I really should be going home and starting dinner, but by the end I really began to see the benefits and looked forward to bettering myself and learning about mindfulness.” ~Lisa Minehart, Sac High Teacher, (feedback from “ME Time” –Mindfulness in Education after school series for staff at St HOPE Charter School, Sacramento, CA)

“If administration can see mindfulness as a priority for all staff, this would allow for staff to have the time needed to learn it and apply it to students and self. Mindfulness would probably increase staff retention and help newer teachers get through the difficult early years of their career more easily.” ~ Julia Ingber-Chang, School Psychologist at Sac High, (feedback from “ME Time” –Mindfulness in Education after school series for staff at St HOPE Charter School, Sacramento, CA)

“I have really enjoyed the techniques shared and the interaction with the other people who participated. This has been a wonderful experience and I will utilize the mindful meditation exercise as often as I can remember to do so.” ~ Deanna Jenkins, SPED Paraprofessional, (feedback from “ME Time” –Mindfulness in Education after school series for staff at St HOPE Charter School, Sacramento, CA)

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“I have to share with you how much the mindfulness class helped me with a strained relationship. We did the exercise in the class about someone that hurt us and we needed to forgive. That person wanted to get together for coffee recently to discuss things. I practiced mindfulness and really paused before I spoke in return to some hateful things that were being said. I kept reminding myself that I wanted to come from a place of love and understanding. I kept reminding him that I was not focusing on the past but keeping in the present and moving forward in a positive way. It was a lot of work but I felt so much better in the end. I just wanted to let you know and thank you Dee for the new lessons I am learning. I know I am still a work in progress and I will continue to be a better me.” ~ Name withheld by request