Mary Ann Christie Burnside

Growing Happiness is a blog about mindfulness and relationships, written by Mary Ann Christie Burnside, Ed.D. Mary Ann is a developmental psychologist who offers classroom-based mindfulness training for teachers and children in schools; a variety of mindfulness programs to adults and children in other settings, such as daycare centers, libraries, corporations, wellness centers, faith-based organizations and school or community groups; and private coaching sessions to individuals, couples, and families.

A former P-12 teacher educator specializing in education reform and research, Mary Ann has held faculty and administrative appointments at Lesley University and served as invited guest lecturer at Harvard University.  In 2008, she founded Hearts and Minds to support the cultivation of mindful communities in homes, schools, and towns in and around Lexington, MA.  Mary Ann is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Association for Psychological Science, and the Mindfulness Together Social Network.  She is also certified by Terrence Real LCSW and his Relational Life Institute to provide skills-based coaching to individuals and couples on “full respect living,” which is the intentional practice of living with consciousness, respect, and love for self and others.

Mary Ann, who holds a doctorate in Human Development and Psychology from Harvard University, has studied with well-known mindfulness practitioners, including Sylvia Boorstein, Jon Kabat-Zinn, Chris Germer, Susan Kaiser Greenland, Jack Kornfield, Sharon Salzberg, Dan Siegel, and Diana Winston.  Since 2007, she has been working in and around her community to help educate adults and children about the concepts, skills, and practices of mindful awareness.

She is the author of “Mindfulness Matters,” a monthly column that’s published on Lexington PATCH (her community’s online daily news service); “Growing Happiness,” this blog about mindfulness and relationships; and “A Simple Thing,” a monthly educational newsletter that highlights simple wellness practices to enhance overall well-being.  Mary Ann also writes as guest blogger or columnist for organizations that serve women, children and families, such as LexFUN!Isis Parenting, Ziptivity, and Bethany House.

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