Flint Hill Elementary School has officially opened its new Zen Den, a calming wellness space made possible through a Teacher Innovation Grant from the Newton Education Foundation. What began as a temporary setup for “Wellness Wednesdays” has now become a permanent sanctuary designed to support the mental and emotional well‑being of the entire Flint Hill staff.
The Zen Den features soft lighting, aromatherapy, massage seating, mindfulness tools, and cozy décor—all intentionally selected to create a peaceful environment where educators and support staff can unwind, reset, and recharge during the school day.
For Principal Heidi Coachman, creating this space was both a professional priority and a personal mission.
“Our teachers, really all educators, their paraprofessionals, our cafeteria staff, our custodians, everyone in our building, they work tirelessly every day, and we preach about ‘self‑care, self‑care.’ And so it was important for me to really do something for all of the staff who need time to unwind. There’s a lot of different stresses that come with education, so the purpose of this is to help with teacher retention and to also assist with helping their mind, body, and soul. This has been an honor and a dream of mine to do. I’m thankful for the Newton Education Foundation for accepting my grant so that I can provide this for our staff.”
The impact of the Zen Den was felt immediately. Teachers describe the space as a much‑needed breath of fresh air in the midst of a demanding school year. Fifth‑grade teacher Tamia Probitt shared just how meaningful the space has already become:
“This space means everything to me. It shows that even when things are hard, you can find positives in everything! The Zen Den is definitely a positive space.”
With nearly 900 students and a dedicated team working tirelessly to support them, Flint Hill Elementary recognizes that caring for educators is essential to caring for children. The Zen Den stands as a reminder that wellness matters—and that when teachers feel supported, the entire school community thrives.
The Newton Education Foundation’s investment has helped bring this vision to life, and Flint Hill looks forward to the lasting impact this space will have on staff morale, retention, and overall well‑being.
Your support helps create more opportunities like this to benefit faculty and staff as well as students. Donate today at www.newtoneducationfoundation.org/donate.