Dr. Elizabeth Joy Erwin is a Professor of Education at Montclair State University where she prepares graduate and doctoral students to think critically, reflect deeply and teach inclusively. Elizabeth is well known for her work on well-being, mindfulness, early childhood, and inclusive education. A solid commitment to challenging injustice (with a particular emphasis on disability), has been at the heart of her teaching and research over the past 30 years.
In pursuit of social justice – locally and globally – Elizabeth has published widely in prestigious academic journals, and has authored multiple books and chapters. Her most recent book, The Power of Presence: A Guide to Mindfulness Practices in Early Childhood, offers educators new understandings and tools to transform their teaching practice and explore a deeper sense of inquiry. Even though the focus of this book is on partnering with young children to promote justice in the world and peace within, everyone who cares about humanity and the planet will discover timeless wisdom and contemporary perspectives threaded across these pages.
Elizabeth brings to this Balinese adventure 20 years of study as a devoted yoga practitioner, as well as her scholarly work and university teaching which embeds practices such as mindful breathing, reflective inquiry, and critical thinking.
Elizabeth currently lives in New York City where she practices yoga and meditation every day.
International Initiatives and Collaborations
2024, 2025 Reggio Emilia, Italy, Created and coordinated a unique international interdisciplinary travel experience and University course to study the Reggio Emilia approach in education in collaboration with Dr. Gina Miele (College of Humanities and Social Sciences) for an in-depth cultural immersion
2023- Bali, Indonesia, Program Leader/Creator, Mindfulness in Education designed with the Bali Institute to lead yearly 11-day cultural and educational immersions including school visits, lectures, inquiry groups and community-based engagement for insider perspectives into te sacred way of life in Bali https://baliinstitute.com/tour-item/the-path-of-mindfulness/
2023-2024 Nairobi, Kenya Educational Consultant collaborated with Dr. Gina Miele and Shining Hope for Communities (SHOFCO), a leading grassroots movement to transform Nairobi's urban slums and also develop a new Leadership Academy in Sankore. In process to co-create a teacher training program "Under the Banyan Tree: Planting Seeds of Learning to Last a Lifetime” with a focus on storytelling, inclusive teaching, and well-being https://www.shofco.org/
International Talks
Erwin, E. J. (January, 2024). Keynote Address: Beyond Belonging: Sparking and Maintaining Conscious Connections. Early Years Conference hosted by the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Hyatt Regency.
Erwin, E. J. (March, 2024). Words, Water and Whales: Wisdom about Mind-Body Connections and Young Children. Global Summit on Preschool Mindfulness (virtual)
Regional Talks and Workshops
The power of presence: Cultivating mind-body connections. (2024, September). Loopwell: A Space for Well-Being. Library Author Series. Montclair, NJ.
Mind-full or mindful? Planting seeds of self-care with early childhood educators. (2024, September Virtual). District Professional Development for Early Educators and Practitioners. Prepared and developed workshop for multiple speakers. Prince George’s County Public Schools, MD.
Webinars
What We Can Learn from Children About Mindfulness to Transform Our Learning Environments
Author Webinar: Create Your Own Retreat at Home
Author Webinar: The Power of Stillness
Author Webinar: Calming Breathing Activity for Children
Author Webinar: Stress Relief Activity for Young Children
Author Webinar: Mindfulness Activities for Families
