The Extraordinary Impact of Training New York City Public High School Teachers in The Path’s Meditation Teacher Training Program

Photo credit: Pratt Institute 2025

A DREAM OF HELPING KIDS WITH ANXIETY IN A NYC PUBLIC SCHOOL

An extraordinary thing happened this spring — an old friend from the tech world introduced me to the Principal of New York City’s New Design High, a public school on the lower east side, and he immediately shared that he was interested in mindfulness. So many kids were facing anxiety and stress, and he wanted to have tools to help them.

I thought quickly. It was a Thursday.

A BIG IDEA

We had a Meditation Teacher Training course starting that Sunday. I asked if I could meet him at the school. He inquired when, and I suggested — how about today? A few minutes later I walked over (I happened to be in NY and staying nearby!). We met, and I suggested that rather than us loaning them graduates of our Meditation Teacher Training program to guide meditations every so often at the school — perhaps we could train their own teachers to guide meditations.

WE’RE ON

He sent out an email that day. Three teachers quickly responded that they wanted to learn and get certified to guide meditations.

I chose to enroll them. The school could contribute a bit towards the cost of the program, about one third of the fee. I knew, somehow, this would work out.

DONATIONS

The following day, Saturday, I sent a note to The Path community and to the hundreds of graduates of our Meditation Teacher Training program. People immediately stepped up. Some contributed $5. Some $100 — or more. And then one email came in from someone I had never met. She said — I’d like to fund the entire program. She wanted high school environments to be more kind after her daughter’s experience in New York City schools. So she had started a foundation to fund mindfulness for New York City schools.

She came through and funded the entire cost of the program.

THE TEACHERS ARE GETTING TRAINED NOW!

And now —

I'm excited to share that the three teachers we are training now .. to be certified to teach mindfulness and compassion meditations at New Design High .. are 75% of the way through the program, and gaining SO MUCH from the course and their experience. Here are some comments from each of them .. so the donors, and now you, know how much good you have done with your contributions!

TESTIMONIALS FROM CURRENT TEACHERS ENROLLED IN THE MEDITATION TEACHER TRAINING PROGRAM

From Claire Butler, College & Career Counselor:

I've been a public high school teacher for 18 years, and in recent years I've seen more and more students struggling with anxiety, having a hard time communicating with others and regulating their emotions, and relying on their devices rather than focusing on real interactions with people. I was interested in the Meditation Teacher Training because I want to help my students become healthier versions of themselves, and I believe that Meditation and Mindfulness practices can significantly impact Wellness in many different ways. I have wanted to bring these practices into my classroom for awhile, but I have never felt prepared and knowledgeable enough to do so, and this teacher training seemed like the perfect opportunity. 

Now that I am a couple months into the MTT course, I am most surprised at how I myself have been impacted by the course so far. I went into it solely focused on how I could help my students, which of course is still a goal, but I believe I am prepared to do so because I have now experienced the benefits of meditation and mindfulness firsthand. The daily meditations help me deal with my own anxiety. The readings and course teachings have provided me with clarity and wisdom. I am learning more about myself, which will help me be a kinder, more empathetic human and a better teacher to my students. 

I write down notes and quotes from the teachings that stand out to me, and this is a quote that I keep coming back to from Gunaratana in Mindfulness in Plain English: "Meditation is running into reality. It does not insulate you from the pain of life. It allows you to delve so deeply into life and all its aspects that you pierce the pain barrier and go beyond suffering." As I learn more about myself and how I can use meditation and mindfulness to become the best version of myself, to help me be kind and to deal with adversity and with all the realities of life, I am also learning how I can teach my students the benefits of meditation. I feel better prepared to help them use meditation to deal with all the challenges they face. This course is providing me with specific guidance on leading meditations, but also with the tools to become a more compassionate human (which will make me a better teacher). I am very grateful to the donors who made it possible for me to take this course. Their support will have a significant impact on my teaching and therefore my students.  

From Erick Miller, social worker at the school:

Thank you so much for your generous support that made it possible for me to attend mindfulness meditation teacher training. As a school social worker, I work with students who deal with a lot—stress, trauma, and emotional ups and downs. This training gave me practical tools I can now use to help them feel more grounded, focused, and supported.

I’m excited to start bringing mindfulness into my work with both students and staff. Your support means so much to me, and I truly appreciate the opportunity you've given me to grow and share these practices with my school community.

Students from New Design High’s Sustainable Fashion Show. Photo: courtesy of New York City Public Schools

From Dilyon Stanislaus-Blache, parent coordinator:

First I would like to thank you for sponsoring us to take this training. So far I have learned about the true value of meditation. Through this training I am able to see how meditation is useful to anyone no matter their differences in culture, community, economic status, etc. My hope is to take all this knowledge and pass it forward, specifically to the youth and families that I serve.

Thank you to each of you. You are making the world better!

And thank you for reading about this extraordinary story!

More soon -

Dina