About... Centre for Mindful Education
The Centre for Mindful Education was founded initially as 'The Mindful Classroom' in 2017.
With a vision to introduce and expand mindfulness based programs in schools with students, teachers, leaders and whole school communities across Australia, we offered Mindful Teacher courses, whole school mindfulness programs, weekend retreats, 5 day 'Mindfulness In Action' immersions in Bali and even 'Mindful Teacher study tours' to India.
Our vision has evolved greatly over the last few years, and we now approach wellbeing with a holistic mindset that we need to nourish our body, mind and soul to live a balanced and healthy life. We now also extend our services to all who seek it.
All our programs embody the practices of meditation and mindfulness, and guide participants to explore their ever deepening connection with Self, Soul or Inner Being.
We know that when we come together to learn, practice and share our journey, the outcomes are greater than when we do this alone. We strive to build a community of like-minded souls that can support and provide encouragement to those who are seeking.
A little story about us…
What follows is a short history of our journey… from the initial founding of The Mindful Classroom in 2017, and our evolvement since…
As a school leader in a large primary school, I relied upon meditation and mindfulness techniques daily, to manage the role. Whether it was managing challenging behaviour of a student, helping to calm an over-anxious parent or supporting a stressed teacher, the benefits of focussing on breathing or taking attention to the feet, were invaluable for me personally.
What I also noticed was that many excellent teachers who really care about their students and the job they do, were getting burnt out and stressed by the demands of the profession. I saw brilliant teachers doubting their ability, being overwhelmed by challenging students or feeling personally affronted by tricky parents, and not having the tools to know how to take control and manage these situations any differently.
I also know, before I learnt mindfulness practices, this use to be me too...
I believe that the development of wellbeing skills for educators is as important as the wellbeing skills we teach our students. I felt so passionate about this focus, that I quit my school leadership role and started The Mindful Classroom, offering a series of mindfulness courses specifically for educators that address the issues that teachers face everyday in their lives and in their classrooms.
History of Our Evolution
April 2017 – The Mindful Classroom Begins
The Mindful Classroom was launched, introducing practical mindfulness programs for educators and students. Over the following 12 months, our Level 1 – Mindful Educator program was delivered to more than one thousand teachers. We also supported whole-school staff teams to explore how mindfulness could be meaningfully integrated into everyday school life. Alongside this, an introductory Mindful Student program was implemented across classes from K–7, helping young learners begin to develop awareness, calm and emotional understanding.
May 2018 – Expanding Support for Educators
Our first Mindfulness and Wellbeing for Educators two-day event was held, offering teachers a retreat-like experience and a deeper immersion into a range of mindfulness and wellbeing practices. Around this time, the Mindful Teacher online program was also developed, allowing educators to access support and training from anywhere.
June 2018 – The Centre for Mindful Education
As the work expanded, The Mindful Classroom evolved into the Centre for Mindful Education Pty Ltd. This period saw the development of additional programs including the Mindful Leader program and the Level 2 Empowered Teacher Course. We also began facilitating mindfulness training for early-career teachers, including teacher-education students still completing their studies.
January 2019 – Our First Study Tour to India
We led our first 10-day Mindful Study Tour to India, where educators explored mindfulness practices while travelling through Tamil Nadu. Highlights of the tour included visiting the inspiring projects of the Help-A-School Foundation, spending time in rural village schools, and visiting a children’s home. These experiences deepened the connection between mindfulness, service, and global awareness.
July 2019 – Mindfulness in Action in Bali
Our work expanded internationally with the first five-day Mindfulness in Action professional learning retreat in Bali. This immersive experience blended professional learning with restorative practices such as mindful cooking classes, sound healing in the Pyramids of Chi, mindful art sessions, and sensory experiences in nature.
January 2020 – A Growing Community
Another sold-out five-day Mindfulness in Action retreat was held in Bali. These gatherings became a joyful opportunity for educators to step away from their busy roles and reconnect with themselves, with nature, and with a supportive community.
2020 – 2022 – A Time of Deep Transformation
During the global pandemic, the work shifted online while also entering a profound period of personal and organisational transformation. I had the extraordinary opportunity to live and volunteer at a holistic centre in India, where I spent two years deepening my own spiritual and contemplative practices and exploring the inner landscape more fully.
This period strongly influenced the unfolding direction of the Centre for Mindful Education. During this time we hosted an online Teacher Wellbeing Summit with more than 20 presenters sharing holistic wellbeing practices and wisdom teachings. The conversation expanded beyond traditional mindfulness into areas such as energy, healing, and deeper questions of the soul.
Our community also began to expand. While our commitment to supporting educators and schools remained strong, the work opened to anyone seeking greater awareness, wellbeing, and self-understanding.
2023 – Creativity and Community
Programs continued to evolve to include a broader range of holistic mindfulness, meditation and creative practices. The program A Mindful Life introduced slow drawing, mark-making, reflective journalling, and shared community experiences that encouraged people to explore creativity as a pathway to awareness.
2025 – The Wild Stillness Book
The release of the Wild Stillness book marked a significant moment in the evolution of the work. The book captured many of the ideas that had been quietly growing over the years — a deeper relationship with nature, awareness, creativity, and inner stillness. Around this time, Wild Stillness Journeys to India and Bali became highlights, offering immersive experiences that blended nature, reflection, creativity, and travel.
2026 – The Emergence of Wild Stillness
Over time it became clear that the work had grown into something broader than the original vision of the Centre for Mindful Education. Through art, books, journeys, studio creations, and nature-inspired experiences, the philosophy of Wild Stillness had naturally become the heart of everything being offered.
In 2026 the business name officially evolved to Wild Stillness.
This new name reflects the deeper direction the work has taken — inviting people to reconnect with nature, awaken awareness, and express creativity as part of a slower, more attentive way of living.
Wild Stillness now brings together art, books, journeys, creative studio work, and nature-based experiences as different pathways into this shared exploration.
The journey continues, and we are deeply grateful for the many people who have walked alongside us as this vision has grown and unfolded.
We look forward to meeting you soon
With much gratitude
Jan
About Jan Carey
Executive Director, Centre for Mindful Education Pty Ltd
Facilitator, The Mindful Classroom Programs
Jan Carey is a trained teacher with over 30 years experience in primary and secondary schools in metropolitan and rural locations across Australia. Jan’s interest in mindful practices began 15 years ago, and evolved to include; international training in the .b mindfulness program in the UK, the Mindful Schools Mindfulness Fundamentals course, Mindful Educator Course and the Mindful Instructor Certification training in New York.
Beyond the formal training, Jan has spent signifiant time in India over the past 8 years immersing herself into various meditation and spiritual practices. She attended silent retreats in Nepal, Dharamsala and Bodhgaya, and made numerous pilgrimages to sacred locations across India.
Jan worked in the Education Department as a Policy Officer in Mental Health & Wellbeing. Her vision is to bring mindfulness and self-awareness practices to all who seek to develop a deeper knowing of Self.
You can contact Jan for more information at: centreformindfuleducation@gmail.com
Contact us.
Centre for Mindful Education
PO Box 334
Lobethal
South Australia, 5241
Monday – Friday: 9AM – 5PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Please send all inquiries to:
centreformindfuleducation@gmail.com