Leadership
As a leader and keynote or featured presenter, I help build heart centered leadership capacity and vision with thought leaders, and I frequently address large audiences at conferences for educators and school administrators either virtually or in person.
In collaboration with individuals and agencies in Northern VA, I am designing and preparing a series of listening sessions. This Listening Tour will provide opportunities to dialogue virtually and in person with youth (middle school, high school, and college-age) as well as families and educators about educational issues of paramount concern in Virginia today. Topics include heart centered leadership with truth-telling, healing racism in schools, and an accurate portrayal of the history of America, gender identity, inclusion, the future of education, academic freedom and the rights and responsibilities of teachers. We are gravely concerned about recent activities to ban books, limit teachers’ ability to teach critical thinking, and take away basic fundamental rights from educators, students, and families. If you would like to know more about our activities or participate in our Listening Tour, contact me (chrismason@edimprovement.org). My thanks to all who are supporting this activity.
My focus is on applying Heart Centered Learning, mindfulness, compassionate school practices, and visioning in schools and districts. I adapt every featured address to fit the themes and topics that are most relevant to each conference audience
Examples of recent topics:
Alleviating Childhood Trauma through Mindfulness and Yoga
Executive Functioning, Mindfulness, and Heart-Centered Learning
Visioning for the Future of Education
Teen-to-Teen Peer Supports for Suicide Prevention (with Dr Martha Staeheli)
Teacher, Staff, and Student Self-Care
Psychological Safety: Alleviating Student Stress and Supporting Learning and Well-Being (with Dr Melissa Huhges and Jesse Kohler)
Press the Pause Button - Recharging Education: Strategies for Renewall
Racism: Healing Body, Mind, and Spirit
If you are looking for a featured presentation or keynote address, I would love to hear from you.
“Chris influences energizes and maintains a vast network of valued individuals in the mindfulness communities and beyond. She is innovative, shares extensive knowledge, and interprets data for the well-being and health of individuals of all walks of life as I have observed at numerous national conferences and virtual meetings.”
-Dr Nancy Phenis-Bourke, Past President International Mentoring Association, IMA
I have had the privilege and joy of working in partnership with Chris to find avenues for our education system to improve as we emerge from the coronavirus pandemic. We share a passion and dedication to addressing the stress, adversity, and trauma faced by so many students and staff. Fortunately, Chris also brings expertise in visioning. Together, we are working with an amazing group of thought leaders – the work is important to healing wounds and helping us move on with a greater sense of security, safety, and connection.
Jesse Kohler, Executive Director, Campaign for Trauma-Informed Policy and Practice
Dr Mason is passionate about reforming education. Loved her enthusiasm and insights into compassion and caring. Inspirational!
-Participants, International Symposium on Educational Reform.
Chris is a dynamic, inspirational speaker, whose insights into schools, knowledge, and caring shine through!
- Maria Restrepo-Toro, Co-Director, New England Mental Health Technology Transfer Center, Yale University’s Program for Recovery and Community Health