Retreats
Set in beautiful natural settings, our retreats offer an authentic combination of personal and professional growth. CPI retreats infuse intentional and engaging team building, daily time in nature, and regular self-care personal training to help both our CTL and CPI students embody the principles and practices of mindfulness, SEL, brain training, and holistic wellness. Here are the unique resources and programmatic elements offered at each retreat:
Level 1 Retreat (for CTL & CPI students):
• 100+ brain break activities organized according to the Brain Power 10 themes (mindfulness, team building, SEL, etc.)
• 20 Content Link lessons integrating mindfulness, movement, and brain training into the four main subject areas
• BPW Advisory Curriculum (stand-alone & synergistic with SEL, restorative circles, etc.)
• School-wide BPW curriculum for leading professional development at department, grade, and faculty meetings
• BPW & Trauma-Informed Care strategies
• BPW & Culturally Responsive Teaching strategies
• Integration of Mindfulness & SEL with school-wide equity frameworks
• Support for BPW Student Leadership Program
Note: For Certified School BPW Leaders this retreat serves as the entire program. CSL graduates are encouraged to attend weekly mindfulness classes and monthly reinforcement sessions to support the application of their learning as they return to facilitate their school’s BPW program.
Level 2 Retreat (for CPI students only):
• Advanced Leader curriculum (BPW after-school student clubs)
• Masterful Teaching for Mindful Leaders
• Wellness Curriculum for Parent Seminars
• Wellness Curriculum for Teacher Seminars
• In-classroom coaching curriculum for student visits
• BPW & Trauma-informed strategies (Level 2)
• BPW & Culturally Responsive Teaching (Level 2)
• Marketing & Presentation Portfolio
• Coaching & BPW
Online Learning System
In between the two in-person retreats our Certified Professional Instructor candidates participate in an intensive 6-month online training program. The asynchronous components of the program are balanced with weekly mindfulness classes and monthly personal coaching, whole group classes, and Training Team meetings to build upon the personal connections and community we created at the 1st retreat. Participants should expect to spend 3-4 hours each week involved in the following varied activities:
• Online Content: Instructional and self-development videos, readings, and reflections Monthly Group Classes: Experiential learning, lectures, self-development training, and discussion through live synchronous whole-cohort classes (Zoom).
• Training Teams: Participants are assigned to small Training Team groups led by a BPW Coach. Teams meet monthly on Zoom to stay connected, discuss the application of their learning, engage in teaching/presenting practice, and receive feedback.
• Weekly Mindfulness Classes: Led by BPW’s Executive Director, these optional classes provide additional self-care practice and energy principles for our CPI community.
• Individual Coaching Sessions: Participants meet individually with their BPW Coach on a monthly basis to personalize and integrate their learning experience.
• Teaching Feedback: Participants share videos of themselves teaching students, parents or teachers and receive feedback on their teaching from their BPW Coach and Training Team.
• Daily Training/Journaling: Participants are encouraged to maintain a daily personal wellness and meditative journaling practice.
• Additional Learning Experiences: There will be additional optional opportunities for learning including Affinity Groups, reading groups, practice groups, and regional meet-up groups where possible.
“Brain Power has been an amazing addition to our middle school curriculum. As a Brain Power leader, the workshops have provided me with invaluable strategies that I have watched help both students and teachers in and out of the classroom. I have not been part of a program that has better demonstrated the true power of social-emotional wellness!”
- Luke H., Middle School Teacher, Class of 2018