Kathy Flynn-Somerville sent a message to Mark Bertolini - Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Aetna - Email Address that said:
Hello, Mr. Bertonlini.
After reading in Forbes magazine that you were instrumental in bringing Mindfulness to Aetna, I am writing to see if you will help me.
I am a school teacher in an urban public school district. As a mindfulness practitioner, I have delivered professional development and taught children and staff the Mindful Schools curriculum.
After four years or so of advocacy for mindfulness in education and piloting programs in addition to teaching duties, the district is now very, very interested at me becoming the point person to embed mindfulness practices throughout our urban school district, as a way of how we do things.
Can you please help me think through writing a job description to bring this to fruition? This is a transition from the classroom to central office as I see reaching the demographics as a full time position.
Our new Superintendent is on board with my intention of the initiative being district wide. Thus, I have 54 schools, about 1800 or so teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists, paraprofessionals, administrators, and school board members to reach, and of course, the children.
So, with potential to lead in incorporating adopting mindfulness practices, Im thinking of strategically addressing the following themes of the districts recently unveiled five-year strategic plan in the job description:
1) Create a positive and supportive culture
2) Provide appropriate instructional support for teachers and staff
a. Professional development focus
b. Following research based and culturally relevant practices
3) Foster a culture of high performance for all.
I need to develop a draft job description to address:
position summary
qualifications
essential job functions.
Can you help as I work toward bringing this to fruition? I need some thought partners to think this through.
This has the potential to transition me from the classroom teacher to full time central office point person for mindfulness.
Thank you for your attention and in advance for your assistance.
Phone: 412 939 2984 or email: kf-s@verizon.net.
Kathy Flynn-Somerville
