Promoting teacher and student wellbeing through mindfulness
Claudia Elena Casalino
Claudia is a chemistry teacher and Middle Years Programme coordinator at Amsterdam International School, where she participates in the IB Wellbeing Action Research Program. Claudia introduced mindfulness in her science classes to help students manage stress before exams. She was initially met with skepticism, but the practice grew into a school-wide initiative. Teacher wellbeing directly impacts student success, she argues, and schools are ecosystems where balance supports growth. Claudia prioritizes self-care through breathing exercises. She fosters a community where teachers and students feel valued and supported.
Listen to Claudia
“My vision of school is like an ecosystem where teachers are the fertile soil and students are roots that will become bigger and stronger trees eventually, but only when all the chemicals are in balance, then the two systems can grow organically.”
Claudia Elena Casalino
Claudia Elena Casalino
Claudia Elena Casalino is a dedicated and experienced IB Chemistry teacher who currently serves as the Middle Years Programme (MYP) Coordinator at the Amsterdam International Community School (AICS) in the Netherlands. A strong advocate for the IB’s philosophy, Claudia is committed to nurturing higher-order thinking skills, promoting concept-based learning, and supporting the holistic development of students. Her work reflects a deep passion for guiding the school community toward these educational goals, with a particular focus on student wellbeing, which has inspired her to lead the IB ‘Wellbeing Collaborative Action Research Program’ at AICS. In addition to her teaching and leadership roles, Claudia is an IBEN member, has contributed to the IB project ‘Enhancing the MYP’, and is currently collaborating with the IB on the project ‘Inclusive Education in the MYP: Breaking Complex Barriers.’ Her best advice is, “Just as you must put on your oxygen mask first, nurturing your wellbeing empowers you to lift others and inspire your students with strength and purpose”.
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Claudia Elena Casalino