The Journey Continues:

Paula Lightsey’s personal mission statement is to inspire, guide, and nurture the human spirit to cultivate change for the collective good of humanity. -

In her work life she has initiated district and school wide mindfulness practices and strategies. She has witnessed how the practice is a gateway for adult and student wellness along with academic success.

She has a passion, gift, and intuitive nature that motivates and drives people to reach their fullest potential. She was motivated to initiate the Power of the Pause, P.O.P. mindful learning meditation session and support in her school district. She was excited to see that this movement expanded to a broader community. Her compassionate encouragement and guided meditation have reached students, parents, co-workers, family and friends. Paula is inspiring people to understand that there are things you can control and things you can’t control, and that is ok. Participants report that the POP sessions have helped them relax, focus, experience gratitude, peace, tranquility, motivation and a feeling of being ready to take on the day. She has hosted and created virtual gathering spaces to discuss movies, books, and various topics dealing with uncovering and supporting your purpose.

Her belief is that social emotional skills are a pathway to self-care, health, success and happiness. On a typical day with constant temptations to distraction, she believes it is imperative to learn how to focus your breathing and be aware of your thoughts. Her strategies and practices of mindfulness helped her continue to focus on the positive and not give into the fear and uncertainty brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic. Her daily practice of being able to focus moment to moment when feeling stress and anxiety has heightened her awareness of the benefits of her practice.

She believes that as we meander through our cultural and health shift, a simple change can have a huge rippling impact on the world. You can always learn, reinvent your life, and practice new habits no matter your age or station in life.

As she continues her life’s journey, she invites you to join the “VIBE” of growth, reflection and peace to take good care of yourself and each other.

She is the mother of three beautiful adult children, Marcus, Ashley, and Lauren. She is married to a wonderful tennis player, car enthusiastic husband and has 5 very creative, caring, and kind grandchildren. She is also gifted with two very caring son-in-laws.

Lightsey, presently serves as a central office supervisor for Southfield Public Schools in Southfield, Mi. Prior to this position, she was the founding Principal of an International Baccalaureate Primary and Middle Years Program that was grounded in civility, cultivating character development, social justice, self-confidence, and academics. She has served in several roles over her 35 years of experience, as teacher, counselor, educational consultant and holds degrees in administrative leadership, counseling, and special education.

Bill Boyle is the former Director of the Model Center, Bowers Academy and Equity Programming

in Bloomfield Hills Schools. He has 31 years of experience as a teacher, athletic coach and administrator at all levels of K-12 education. Bill has worked diligently to form schools that serve as places of belonging for all students as the foundation for learning. He currently serves as a consultant, coach and facilitator for schools, nonprofits and the private sector specializing in the areas of restorative practices, equity literacy and mindfulness.

Additionally, Bill is founder and president of Transformative Engagement solutions, a consulting company that supports organizations in growing equitable, trauma informed, restorative communities. He is an instructor for the International Institute for Restorative Practices, and a certified restorative practitioner. He is an experienced, certified facilitator of equity and inclusion learning experiences, has over 30 years of experience in mindfulness practices, and is a member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association.