Nina Banks

Qigong and meditation teacher with a strong background in special needs education and community support. Demonstrates expertise in inclusive learning practices, behavioural support techniques, and SEND compliance. Skilled in active listening, effective communication, and individualised support, fostering positive learning environments and community engagement. Career goals include: furthering contributions to educational settings;whole school and SEND specifically, community wellbeing initiatives and working with disadvantaged young people to build resilience, self esteem and confidence. I am an enthusiastic professional with a natural ability to connect with children and support their unique needs. I am skilled in fostering positive and inclusive environments, promoting positive behaviour, and encouraging personal development. I am an effective communicator who excels in building trust and collaboration with students, parents, and colleagues and outside agencies. Experienced in supporting children with special educational needs in and out of classroom settings. Patient, compassionate, and committed. Strong communication skills and proven ability to transfer skills and adapt to the needs of individual organisations.

I have in addition to the formal education listed, engaged in many experiences and trainings that I feel impact in a positive way to my professional capabilites.

I have listed the qualifications and certificates I feel are the most relevant in the education section.

I have however attended many more that were not certificated.

• Yoga for meditation with Johnny Glover- 3 two day workshops learning mindfullness
• The Art of Zen 6 week online course with Plum Village
• Looking Deeply 6 week online course with Plum village
• Many extra Qigong workshops and courses in the UK and France in addition to my formal teaching qualification.
• Building secure attachments online 12 week course studying attachment theory. completed twice it was so interesting.
• Experience in grief tending practices and theory.
• Extensive practice in Body and Brain Yoga including intensive 42 day trainings consecutively and a 5 day intensive retreat in Arizona
• CPD certificates for Qigong
• Multiple half Day trainings through my voluntary work
• Governor training

• Hiking
• Paddleboarding
• Camping
• Travel
• Wild swimming
• Qigong
• Body & brain yoga
• 5 Rhythms dancing
• Sober Festivals
• Photography
• Music-singing, songwriting, piano
• History
• Reading
• Quilling
• Hand spinning and weaving

As you can see from my CV I have worked and studied and accomplished many things. I did not have the strongest start in life and have worked very hard to make something of myself and become a well rounded and balanced human being, except from raising my 2 boys, this is perhaps my greatest accomplishment and ongoing: a lifes work. I firmly believe it is this quality and these experiences which make me so relatable for young people. My immersion in the internal arts -Qigong, keeps me grounded and calm and clear headed. My early life has fostered a deep empathy for others and transfers into compassionate practice with others. I have Raised 2 amazing boys both with additional needs, my eldest with autism and my youngest with ADHD and on the pathway for ASD assessment. This has not been without its challenges but has been my greatest joy and has given me a wealth of experience. Up until June last year I have been sole carer for my elderly grandfather ensuring his indepdance and ability to live in his own home right to the end. I have worked hard to keep contact between myself my great nephew and his younger sister who lives in Kent also extended family following the absence of their Mother, collaborating with social services and foster carers to establish contact by video calls and more recently in person visits.

I regularly cook for around 70 people helping with the Landed Community Kitchen on the seasonal markets in Lancaster which provides locally sourced, organic, vegan, GF food at affordable prices for all and educates people around healthy eating and sustainable, ethical food sourcing.

I became a qualified Qigong Teacher last November and delivered an hour long workshop at the Qigong Teachers refresher course last september and will deliver another this year. I practice meditation and Qigong daily and never stop in my desire for increased knowledge, wellbeing and kindness. I believe that if we do what we can where we are, together we can make a better world.

As you may notice from my work history there are some gaps in employment. However I have not been idle during this time. As previously mentioned I have been a Mum and carer. I have also pursued many interests and hobbies which have facilitated huge personal growth. I have kept up with education, studying both vocational, wellbeing and personal development courses and I have volunteered in areas both relevant to my career in education, and also in a similar area supporting disadvantaged adults and those with addiction issues.

I am a healthy, fit and well person who loves the outdoors and music. I love my family and bringing people together especially with food and shared meals.

I believe I am a valuable addition to any team and will help to futher the progress of any organistaion or project I am a part of.