2019 MINDFULNESS CONFERENCE

Traci Fairchild decided quite a while back that she would make a difference in the lives of others. The signs were there...her integral role on the University of Maine field hockey team; her chosen career path as an educator, followed by a licensed social worker; as a mother to daughters, Raina and Ellie; in her current role at Rocky Hill School as Director of Counseling and Wellness; and everything in between.

What Traci may not have realized was how her journey would meld her distinctly significant roles to have a positive impact on a community. Traci is compassionate, goodnatured, positive, energetic, insightful, and committed. She integrates her talents, strengths, and diverse skillset to guide her students. Whether in the classroom, on the playing field, in the “safe space” of her office, or simply engaged in conversation while strolling along a walkway on campus, Traci devotes herself to whatever it takes to support an individual to be a navigator of mind, body, and spirit.

Health and wellness do not occur in isolation, nor does Traci’s approach to the well-being of our community. Being adaptive, self-directed, passionate, curious, and courageous fosters resilience, perseverance, and a readiness to take on what is encountered each day. Traci’s connection with her students provides what is needed to model, guide, troubleshoot, and maintain the healthy balance that allows each person to be their best, regardless of day-to-day situations or circumstances.

Making connections and creating a mindful balance reach beyond academics in the classroom or wins and losses on the field. Both bring the innately human element to the surface and that’s where we see Traci’s work come to life. She is a facilitator of our school-wide mindfulness program. Through ‘mindfulness days’ in Upper School; mindful breaths taken during a Physical Education class; regularly scheduled mindfulness booster sessions for faculty; mindfulness feedback for the Lower School robotics team project; the organization of the Mindfulness Conference for educators, parents and health and wellness professionals being hosted at Rocky Hill School in June; and more, Traci ensures the value of meaningful practice opportunities is felt throughout our learning environment and beyond.

Traci is keenly aware of the developmental thread winding through each division as our students grow and develop, and offers a sense of humility, peace, amazement, and gratitude for the opportunity to be part of their journey as navigators. It is Traci’s passion that fosters the confidence to maintain a positive momentum of well-being in a community where she feels a tremendous sense of pride and a commitment to The Mariner Way.