Leader Bios

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Anny Carr

In addition to her certification as a Visual Arts Educator and 15 years classroom teaching experience, Anny has been learning and practicing meditation and various traditional wisdom traditions for the past 24 years, studying with many prominent teachers including a 17 year apprenticeship with a Native American elder. She recently finished an intensive yearlong Mindfulness Educator certification through Inward Bound Mindfulness Education and also holds certification as an Expressive Arts for Healing Facilitator from Salve Regina University. She has been the recipient of two "Teacher of the Month" awards, two Superintendent Exemplary Achievement awards, and a Fund For Teachers Fellowship where she studied Hawai'ian Cultural Arts and Drumming for a month in Oahu. Anny has also completed many trainings in Restorative Practices and Dismantling Racism, and has had the opportunity to provide several professional development workshops on mindfulness for educators, organizations and youth workers in both Meriden and Stamford. She integrates mindfulness as part of her classes, hosts a mindful study hall, assists in the Student Support Center, has volunteered at Girls Inc and the Boys and Girls Club teaching mindfulness classes, and has written a new high school course 'Integrated Arts and Mindfulness' being offered in Fall 2019. Contact: anny.carr@meridenk12.org

Maureen DiPace

Maureen DiPace has been teaching high school for 28 years in the Meriden Public School System. She holds certifications in Secondary Mathematics and Business. For the past several years, Maureen has held the position of a Student Centered Learning Coach. She was Meriden Teacher of the Year and Connecticut State Teacher of the Year Finalist. She was the recipient of the Harvard University Teacher Prize Award and the Superintendent Exemplary Achievement Award. Maureen has also completed many training's in Mindful Practices, Restorative Practices and Dismantling Racism, and has had the opportunity to provide support for professional development workshops on mindfulness for educators. She holds the position of Secretary for the Meriden-New Britain YMCA Executive Board of Directors, RISE Foundation Advisory Council as well as a past member of the Meriden Federation Teachers Union Executive Board and Project Excel Executive Board. She integrates mindfulness as part of her classes as well as in the Platt High School Student Support Center. Contact: maureen.dipace@meridenk12.org

Martin Cheney

Martin is an English Language Arts teacher in the Meriden Public School system. He currently teaches 6th grade writing at Washington Middle School. He is a Team Leader in his building who advocates for student voice and student activism. Martin is a district leader in the areas of Mindful Practices and Restorative Practices. Additionally, he has had the opportunity to lead, and be a part of, professional development workshops on mindfulness for educators.

Martin is a strong advocate of the emancipator power of education and its ability to create the opportunity for systemic change in an era political stagnation. Contact: martin.cheney@meridenk12.org

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