This year, Redwood welcomed United States History and Social Issues teacher Michelle Ceja-Chau after she left Tamalpais High School. She embraces a teaching style focused on mindfulness, mental health and lessons that resonate with many Gen-Z students. Chau uses mindfulness to help students manage their mental well-being. While some students may be apprehensive towards this practice, she believes it will benefit them.
“With school work and on a social level, I feel [mindfulness is] very [important]. [With] mindfulness practice and prioritizing your mental health, you don’t realize how much constant information has a number on your mental health and wellness,” Chau said. “Depending on the student, some see the benefit [of meditation] and continue the practice. For others, [meditation] is not in need right now but [they] know they can refer back to the [mindfulness] we did [in class] and hopefully know that there are things that can help your mental health.”
Freshman Arianna Nikfar in Ms. Ceja-Chau’s Social Issues class finds relaxation in “Mindful Mondays.”
“When [Ms. Ceja] does Mindful Mondays, it helps me reset and calm my mind before class and gets me ready to sit down and start learning,” Nikfar said.
Chau also utilizes a code word, “Jenny,” that students can use when they need space or support. She clarifies how “Jenny” signals that a student may need a moment, without explaining the situation in detail.
“As adults, we sometimes forget that our class isn’t the most important thing. As much as we want to believe that, [we have to] understand that if a student is not engaged or shutting down, it is not because they don’t care or because they don’t want to do well, it’s because something else is going on and that’s okay,” Chau said. “Even if you don’t tell me what’s going on, if you say ‘Jenny,’ I know that. It gives me an understanding that something is going on outside of [class] and I am here to support and make sure you’re okay and safe. I will check in on them because I care about them and their mental health. I allow them to take what they need [so they] know they are supported.”
Nikfar sees firsthand the benefits of using “Jenny” in class.
“[Jenny] is helpful if I am tired or not having a great day. I am not stressed about if I have to know the answer, have to present [to the class] or if [Ms. Ceeja-Chau] might call on my name [if I ever use Jenny]. Having [that resource] there is very useful,” Nikfar said.
Chau knows that her students are Gen-Z, and connects well with them by incorporating social media into her lessons, allowing students to learn in ways they know best.
“I learn a lot on social media. I am constantly on social media. I see the creative, positive, fun, uniqueness, and especially working with Gen-Z, you have to empower that because you want to see [Gen-Z students] grow in a way they know how to interact and show their knowledge. It allows us to have fun with what we are learning [in class],” Chau said.
Even with the overall success of her current teaching methods, Chau still recognizes the importance of her continual growth. She highlights her willingness to learn and help her students succeed.
“I am not perfect but I know I can improve and grow. I’m always looking for that because we live in a time where things are changing and we have to adapt. As teachers, we always want to be right and don’t want to make a mistake, but that’s not human, not real and we have to model that because we want [our students] to own up and apologize when [they] are wrong. [I am] lucky to be working at Redwood,” Chau said.
Redwood looks forward to seeing Chau’s impact on campus, furthering students’ well-being and education.
