In Dallas Schools, Kids Are Learning To Be Mindful As They Meditate

Jamila Thomas, coordinator for Dallas ISD’s African American Success Initiative says the research she read on the impact of these techniques on academic achievement convinced her it was worth trying.

The partnership with the Dallas Yoga Center began with one school in October. The district plans on tracking student performance and Thomas said it could expand the program if the data shows students grades and behavior are improving.

For now, though, there’s anecdotal evidence, she says.

“There was one second-grade teacher who was taking their children to the bathroom,” Thomas says. “They were in line and the children were sitting outside waiting to go and they were in their mindfulness pose.”