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Founded in 2006, Mindful Practices provides a comprehensive approach to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) to create an equitable learning environment. Mindful Practices has worked with schools across the country and leaders in the field such as CASEL, The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Kripalu and was invited to the United Nations last October.
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Carla Tantillo Philibert, Founder
Carla Tantillo Philibert, is the author of Cooling Down Your Classroom (2012), and the Everyday SEL series (Routledge, 2016 & 2017). Carla has a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, is a certified yoga teacher and is a founding teacher and curriculum director of a high school in Chicago. She has taught at both the elementary and secondary levels, is the co-creator of Hip-Hop Yoga, and is a highly qualified professional development provider. Carla has presented in Ireland, Canada, Greece, Spain, India, and Mexico.
Erika Panichelli, Program Director
As program director, Erika applies her corporate training and business experience to the educational setting, supporting Mindful Practices’ organizational operations to help broaden the reach of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and Mindfulness in schools nationally.
Stefanie Piatkiewicz, SEL Specialist
Stefanie brings several years of teaching and classroom management experience to the Mindful Practices team. In addition to providing SEL consulting nationally, Stefanie also presents at conferences around the country on behalf of Mindful Practices.
Vienna Webb, SEL Specialist
As an SEL specialist, Vienna leads students and educators through movement and SEL activities throughout Chicago and nationally. She is also on the facilitator team for Mindful Practices’ SEL Certification Program and a conference presenter.
Erika Haaland, SEL Specialist
Erika provides SEL instruction and coaching services to Mindful Practices’ school partners on a daily basis. She has a wealth of knowledge regarding mindfulness strategies and also holds an arts/theater degree. Erika is an integral member of the facilitator team for Mindful Practices’ professional development and SEL Certification Program which focus on building educator SEL competency and implementation skills.
Why Choose Mindful Practices?
Your district is strong because of your staff; our Mindful Practices strategies will bring out your best. Let us consult with your administrators and build a comprehensive approach to Social Emotional Learning with a team of your stakeholders. We hear from school partners and professional development participants that Mindful Practices hands-on approach with exercises teachers can use in the classroom tomorrow is what makes our services so valuable to them.
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Hear from Our Partners
Our partnership has evolved in so many ways over the years and we are all sincerely and deeply grateful for your [Mindful Practices]collective work to improve the lives of children and teachers through embedded mindfulness work. The depth of your work prioritizes SEL in a way that finally acknowledges how we can teach the whole child, Thanks for being a partner, an advocate, a collaborator, and a change-maker… for us and for our communities.
— Michael McCarthy, Executive Director of Specialized Services at Distinctive Schools (Chicago, IL)
“Dawes School has worked with Mindful Practices since 2012. This year we targeted our special education students. Erika, Carla and Stefanie designed a program specific to our needs. Next school year, we plan build on the progress we have made with our special education students by including their families in monthly workshops and or retreat days. I am confident the Mindful Practice team will design something ‘just right’ for our families.”
–Mary Dixon, Principal at Dawes Elementary School (Chicago, IL)
From my nearly twenty years of experience in public education, I’ve learned that the most effective teachers are the ones who pay attention to all students’ needs as they walk through the door, whether academic, health- and wellness-related, or social-emotional. Based on tested strategies Mindful Practices’ Everyday SEL is the 21st century GPS for addressing students’ social-emotional needs, building classroom community and creating engaged citizens.
— Mario Rossero, Senior Vice President of Education, The John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
