Enrichment | Yaara Docrat

Bringing the Stage to the School: Rocking the Next Generation

I believe that inspiration shouldn't just happen on a screen—it should be loud, live, and hands-on.

As an arts education advocate, I bring professional rock bands into schools to create immersive performance experiences that ignite curiosity and show children the power of creative expression and discipline.

I received the Civic Youth Volunteerism Award from the City of Kingston (Ontario, Canada) for this endeavour.

Connecting Curious Minds with Diverse Experts

Learning extends far beyond our school walls. Partnering with community members to spark interest is deeply important to me. So, wherever possible, I invite community members to share with my students.

I have invited a zero-waste fashion designer (Kat Whatley) to teach my students how to design clothes sustainably.

A geologist from the Himalayas (TJ Morey) to unveil the secrets of our planet.

A UNHCR representative (Champ) to speak with my students about his work on the Thai-Burmese border with refugees.

These interactions bridge the gap between the classroom and professional passion, empowering kids to see their own potential in every field.

Mindfulness

Empowering students with the tools to navigate their inner world.

I include mindfulness that focuses on breathwork, emotional regulation, and intentional focus, helping young minds find calm in a high-energy environment.

Through guided practices, students build resilience and self-awareness that extends beyond the classroom. Activities such as:

- Stacking toilet paper rolls silently as a group

- Mindful colouring

- Breathing with a piece of lego on the belly

- Balancing a pencil on your finger for a minute

- Star breathing from Conscious Discipline

- Mindful walks

- Using chopsticks to pick up natural items

- Drawing sound

- Mirrored partner painting

- Dropping marbles in a jar while students count with their eyes closed

- Drawing emotions

- Mixing paint in water

- Origami

- Dominoes

I host 10 mindful minutes every day after lunch recess with my class and to begin each lesson with 2 minutes of breathing.

Visit Classroom Zen - My favourite classroom breathing tool

Buddies Programs

Whether older buddies support through reading or STEAM activities, I aim to foster meaningful connections between students of different age groups, promoting empathy, leadership, and a strong sense of community.

Through shared activities and peer mentorship, students develop interpersonal skills.