This chapter explores some of the main concepts connected to mindfulness by covering key terms and ways of being mindful. Readers are introduced to Western research into mindfulness, such as self-compassion, and are invited to explore formal and informal mindfulness practices.

In this chapter, you will develop your understanding of: organisation skills to support your teaching and wellbeing, the concept of flow and how it can support you, how to recognise emotions and care for yourself, working with the curriculum and responding to change, and planning and meeting the teaching standards.

In this chapter, you will develop your understanding of the role of professional experience in your initial teacher education program, stages of professional growth in teaching, strategies for communicating with students, using groups for learning and teaching, and how to approach digital technology for learning and teaching.

In this chapter, you will gain an understanding of resilience in teachers and teaching, coping strategies for sustaining a teaching career, being mindful as a teacher, your wellbeing and ability to flourish and the meaning of a growth mindset.

In this chapter, you will develop your understanding of: skills in organisation and time management, dealing with vulnerability and pressure, strategies for self-care and caring for others while studying, and managing expectations and study.

The final chapter concludes the text by considering how the mindful strategies outlined throughout the book can help you put your best foot forward as you begin teaching. The book's key concepts and themes are discussed, and the importance of mindfulness in building and sustaining a successful teaching career is emphasised.

In this chapter you will gain an understanding of confidence and how this is connected to believing in yourself, how to use self-compassion to support your continued growth as a pre-service teacher, how a growth mindset can assist you in becoming a teacher, your framing of the kind of teacher you wish to be, ‘presence’ as a teacher, and how to develop confidence in communicating with students, staff and peers across a variety of situations.

In this chapter, your will develop an understanding of: the role of professional experience in learning and the value of experiencing different school contexts, strategies for balancing demands during professional experience, the role of teacher socialisation in becoming a teacher and belonging to school communities, approaches to working with mentor teachers and with students, strategies for addressing fears and concerns related to professional experience, and ways to communicate effectively with the university and with the school.

This book bring together knowledge and skills from the last 20 years in initial teacher education. Stories from the authors and those of pre-service teachers are used to explore the kinds of skills and strategies – including those related to mindfulness – that enable teachers to cope with the challenges of their profession, as well as enjoy and savour the highlights. We hope that you find this book useful as you undertake your journey to becoming a mindful and committed teacher.