This presentation highlights the impactful partnership between Crockett Elementary School and Mindfulness First in developing and implementing a mindful school environment. Crockett Elementary has been instrumental in helping Mindfulness First develop and test curricula, with their staff contributing significantly to curriculum content. This collaboration has not only fostered a sustainable model for integrating mindfulness practices into the school culture, but has also demonstrated significant positive impacts on students, staff, and the wider community.

Sunny Wight co-founded Mindfulness First in 2013, co-pioneering a movement to normalize mental health education in schools across the country. Drawing on her background in PR/marketing and a Bachelor's in Communication/Media, she strategically developed the organization's reach and impact. Sunny holds the big picture while facilitating and co-creating the container for an expert team to create and deliver impactful programming. Her extensive lived experience with several aspects of mental health led her to pursue mindfulness and yoga certifications—initially for her own wellbeing and subsequently to support her community. A devoted practitioner herself, Sunny integrates her daily mindfulness practice into both her professional mission and personal life as a parent of two young adult children.

Cayla Cole is the Director of Programming and Culture at Mindfulness First, where she co-leads the strategic development and delivery of the organization’s mindfulness-based programming. With a degree in Human Services and Psychology from Northwest Missouri State University, Cayla’s passion for mental health advocacy began during college, where she founded a student-led mental health awareness organization and worked to expand resources for the community. Her own experiences with mental health challenges led her to mindfulness, which became a transformative part of her healing and growth. She now sees mindfulness not just as a tool for reflection, but as a proactive practice that empowers individuals to better understand, support, and care for their mental and emotional well-being. This vision and passion drives her work at Mindfulness First, as they work to make inclusive mental health education and resources a priority in education.

Sean Hannafin has been an educator for over 30 years and currently serves as the principal of David Crockett Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona where he has helped to implement several non-traditional academic offerings including mindfulness in education. In 2016, he partnered with the Arizona nonprofit "Mindfulness First" to develop a school culture based around secular mindfulness practices. By making mindfulness a sustained and integrated part of the education system, they hope to impact the lives of their elementary school students by giving them tools to deal with "adverse childhood experiences". He received his Master's of Education in both Elementary Education and Teaching as well as Educational Administration and Supervision from Northern Arizona University in addition to his Bachelor of Education from Arizona State University. 

This session is part of the FREE Contemplation by Design Summit, Oct. 15-27, 2025.

The full summit schedule is posted at: https://med.stanford.edu/contemplation/summit.html.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/stanford-contemplation-by-design-summit-2025-online-oct-15-27-registration-1520413249959