FURTHER RESOURCES
Charlie is a founding teacher at the U School in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Here, he's helped develop resources to support parents and educators who want to create a more connected, mindful, and thriving environment at home, in the classroom, or beyond.
Below, you’ll find four offerings to explore: the Mindful Parents & Educators online course, which provides practical strategies for cultivating mindfulness in daily life; The U School Lexicon, a framework for empowering communication and problem-solving with children; the U School, an innovative educational community grounded in Ubuntu principles; and the Skillful Togetherness curriculum, designed to foster teamwork and collaboration in schools and organizations.
MP&E Online Course
Mindful Parents & Educators (MP&E) is a focus training program meant especially for caregivers of young children, but potentially beneficial for anyone. This program has three goals: to improve our own happiness, to improve relationships with children in our care, and to give a broad and useful framework for sharing mindfulness practice directly with children.
The course introduces four core mindfulness techniques to build individual practice that can focus and adjust our attention to adapt to life in a more optimal way. Each section will take these techniques through a continuum of practice situations and applications in the context of teaching and parenting in classrooms and home environments.
As you learn these focus techniques and habituate yourself to using them in the presence of your children, you will start to notice more and more micro-achievements of our top three goals. Over time, these add up to the macro-achievements of making ourselves ever happier and more compassionate caregivers, and helping our children develop their own awareness powers!
The Lexicon
The U School Lexicon is a short but powerful book designed to enhance communication, problem-solving, and emotional growth in families and educational settings. It’s a collection of practical concepts and strategies that help parents, educators, and children build stronger connections and navigate challenges with empathy and skill.
Rooted in the principles of mindfulness and Ubuntu—the idea of collective well-being—the Lexicon emphasizes key "powers" like Calming Power, Patience Power, and Perseverance Power, which are essential tools for fostering social-emotional development. It also introduces practical ideas like the Bridge of Trust and Domino Effect, helping families and groups work together effectively.
Whether you're exploring ways to help children handle tough transitions, strengthen relationships, or develop emotional intelligence, the Lexicon provides a common language and practical tools to support shared growth. It’s an invaluable resource for anyone seeking to bring mindful communication skill into their family or community life.
The U School
The U School is a pioneering educational community in Ann Arbor, Michigan rooted in the principles of mindfulness, empathy, and collective well-being. The U School serves families with children ages 3-5, emphasizing holistic development and empowering children to explore their potential through project-based learning, social-emotional growth, and creative expression. Grounded in the philosophy of Ubuntu—I am because we are—the U School fosters an inclusive, collaborative environment where children, educators, and families grow together.
Skillful Togetherness
Skillful Togetherness, developed in partnership with Ubuntu Communities, is a dynamic resource for schools and other organizations aiming to foster stronger teamwork, collaboration, and inclusivity. This training series, offered in hybrid online/in-person formats, provides practical tools to enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and build supportive, connected groups. The goal is to help your team be as fun and uplifting as it can be for all members!
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