Hi! My name is Amanda Bennett, and I am the founder of Mindful Mentors. I grew up in Orange County, California, and graduated from UCSB with a B.A. in Political Science in 2024. I am currently completing UCSB’s Teacher Education Program and will graduate in June of 2025 with a Teaching Credential and a Master’s degree in Education!

During my undergraduate time at UCSB, I became deeply interested in the transformative effects of mindfulness. I began meditating regularly a few years ago and quickly noticed significant physical and emotional benefits in my own life. This experience sparked a passion for sharing mindfulness with others, especially young students. I wondered why mindfulness wasn’t a part of the public school curriculum, so I created Mindful Mentors to fill this gap.

Through this program, I coordinate groups of dedicated UCSB volunteers to lead mindfulness lessons, helping children develop focus, resilience, and emotional awareness. When I’m not organizing lessons or teaching mindfulness, you can find me crafting, doing yoga, baking, or enjoying the beach with a good book, a journal, or a meditation session.