Meet adolescent expert, Danielle Parker. Parker accepted her first job working with adolescents a zillion years ago in 2003. Ever since then, she has worked with this age group as often as possible in a variety of jobs, from classroom teacher to guides at nature centers, animal shelters, and even the health department. She finds them quirky, honest, and hilarious. (Translation: She thinks you’re weird.) She has a B.S. in biology from Cornell University, an M.A.T. from East Carolina University, and an M.S. in coastal zone management from Nova Southeastern University. She completed her Secondary Montessori training in 2021 through Houston Montessori Center. She is a 500-RYT yoga instructor and is dedicated to her personal mindfulness journey.
- Parker moves through education with the montesory philosophy and we talk about how this practice revolutionizes ones perspective of the world.
- The simplification, respect, and empowerment that is infused in this education model.
- Parker’s integration of mindfulness into her teaching.
- Mindfulness is for everyone, but you must find the way that works for you
- We touch on introducing lessons to children like financial waviness + conscious life practices - its never too early to gift lessons of life.
- Give them access, let them see it, even when they’re complaining, they’re watching.
- When life throws them curve ball may they pull from the tool belt of their parent’s good habits. This is imposed on them whether they practice it or not. Example becomes reality.
- Adolescents crave authenticity. If you’re embodied in who you are, trust is cultivated in the teenage mind.
- The teenagers radar for hypocrisy + “fake-ness” is deeply intuitive.
- Many of us live our lives based on what we experienced in adolescent.
- After a bout of her own depression/panic period, and a tumultuous trial period of pharmaceuticals with no avail, she turned to yoga and mindfulness finding relief in embodiment and slow care.
Check out Parker’s book: Pink Panties & Other Life Lessons: A Mindful for Adolescents:
https://www.dwellwithdanielle.com/
https://www.thesaltyblossom.com/
