InsightLA’s Facilitator Training Program is designed for experienced practitioners of mindfulness meditation who have seen the benefits of the practice in their own lives and would like to learn how to share their practice with others in their work and/or community settings.
The program objective is to develop the skills to prepare the participants to teach beginning classes in mindfulness practice and to deepen their own practice through study, practice, teachings and engagement with a community of practitioners. The curriculum begins with a study of foundational Buddhist mindfulness teachings/practices, which undergird the practice of mindfulness in many secular settings. How to teach mindfulness to beginners in a sequential manner is emphasized. Attention will be given to teaching in diverse settings and the cultural competencies needed to do so.
Supervising Teacher: Trudy Goodman, Phd.
Supervising Teacher/FTP Director: Maureen Shannon-Chapple, MS
Supervising Teacher: Gullu Singh
Other ILA guest teachers
Program Components
- By participating in this program you are making a commitment that includes attendance at sixteen daylong classes over 11 months, beginning in May, 2020 and ending in March, 2021. Friday meetings will be from 8am – 4pm & Saturday meetings will be from 8am-4pm.
- Observe an experienced teacher in an InsightLA Essentials Class or other approved ILA class as a participant observer, 12 hours total.
- Prepare class teaching outlines for 5 classes of introductory sessions, to be submitted to the Director for review and feedback.
- Complete the readings, practices and reflections that are assigned each month.
- Post each month at least one response to the readings on the class online page.
- Participate in monthly meetings with a practice buddy (can be by phone or video conferencing) to lead each other in a specified guided practice and offer feedback (guidelines provided). Plan at least an hour a month for this.
- Monthly Mentoring Groups: Participate in a 2 hour monthly small group meeting with an ILA mentoring teacher in your area or via video conferencing. Groups meet monthly with a mentor and a small group of students at a mutually agreed upon time for the duration of the 11 month program. Students at their mentor meetings will practice leading short guided practices, get feedback, practice answering questions, share concerns about teaching and take turns leading a short teaching to get feedback from the mentor and the group to better hone their teaching skills.
- *Practicum/Field Work: 35 hours: Facilitate mindfulness classes in your work or volunteer setting. Completion of the practicum is required for those who wish to apply for certification with the International Mindfulness Teacher Association.
Recommended Criteria for InsightLA Facilitator Candidates:
- An established, committed daily mindfulness practice, preferably under the guidance and the support of a recognized mindfulness teacher.
- At least 20 nights in silent mindfulness retreat. Consider attending an InsightLA residential retreat to fulfill this requirement.
- Completion of InsightLA MBSR, MSC, and/or Buddha’s Path classes recommended.
- Completion of an InsightLA Essentials of Mindfulness Class, or comparable offering.
- A letter of recommendation from an InsightLA teacher or other recognized mindfulness teacher (please have the letter emailed to support@insightla.org).
Applications for the Facilitator Training Program will be available by the Fall of 2019 for the 2020-21 FTP course. A committee composed of the supervising teachers and the Executive Director of ILA will review the applications to determine acceptance into the program.
CURRICULUM INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF STUDY:
- Mindfulness Studies
- Personal Practice Maturation and Development
- Teaching Methodology, Training and Supervision
- Contemporary Mindfulness Applications
- Cultural Competency
- Professional Development
- Practical and financial considerations in teaching mindfulness
Financial Support
This training has a limited number of pay-what-you-can spots available to support members of marginalized groups (people of color, queer people, people with disabilities) and those in financial need (those for whom the cost to attend is not financially possible).
Deadline for Applications: Friday April 3rd, 2020