Teachers for Life

In collaboration with the Institute for Mindfulness, Connectedness and Engagement (AVE), our team developed the feature documentary Teachers for Life – Learning from Connectedness, along with a carefully aligned, intelligently networked digital communication campaign and distribution channels to support the launch of the AVE platform.

The portal provides educators with information and training programs focused on mindfulness, connectedness, and engagement.

The aim of these initiatives is to foster cultural change in schools toward greater awareness and relational competence.

What do children need in order to become independent and responsible personalities? What does it mean to be a teacher today and what is the role of education in the 21st century?

The documentary TEACHERS FOR LIFE – LEARNING IN HARMONY portrays exceptional teachers from England, France, Denmark, and Germany who share a vision: if they manage to build empathetic relationships with their students, they will support children to discover their individual abilities and to develop the courage to take responsibility for themselves and for shaping a sustainable future.

TEACHERS FOR LIFE is a tribute to the teachers of the future. It honours the power of connection – with oneself, with other people and with nature.

The impressive scenery of the Mont Blanc massif is the best classroom in the world for English teacher Richard Dunne. Here, his pupils gain formative experiences that will stay with them throughout their lives and make them aware of a sustainable way of living.

For Helle Jensen, Danish family therapist and co-author of Jesper Juul, an empathetic, sincere relationship between teachers and their students is the most important foundation for child development.

At a school in Berlin, young teacher Lisa Viehoff is attempting to ease the pressure on her graduating class with mindfulness exercises. She knows from experience that meditation can offer help in difficult life situations.

Coach Philippe Bretaud has already trained football stars like Kylian Mbappé and Marcus Thuram. He teaches the most talented young athletes in French football to master their emotions and to focus on the essentials in order to fulfil their life’s dream.

The filmmaker and Mindful Leadership trainer Julian Wildgruber most recently gained recognition with the documentary From Business to Being, which received the Audience Award at DOK.fest Munich in 2015.

Director and author Kathrin Höckel was a Fellow at Harvard University. The international project Teachers for Life was supported by the Institute for Mindfulness, Connectedness and Engagement (AVE).

The film was produced by Hanna Paulmann.