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Winter-Spring 2025-26 | Conducted action research on student agency with a team of ISB colleagues across three divisions

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The Multilingual Learning Research Center (MLRC) advances outcomes for multilingual learners through socially conscious research and research-practice partnerships.

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Spring 2026

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Winter 2026

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TIES 2026 | Global Summit for Inquiry and Progressive Educators

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Join TIES 2026, a free global virtual event for inquiry and progressive educators. Learn from leading voices like Trevor Mackenzie and Guy Claxton. Save your free seat and be part of a community of 50,000 educators worldwide.

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IFSEL Trainings - ISB Mentoring Program, Open Session

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IFSEL Trainings - ISB Mentoring Program, Open Session

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Ongoing while at ISB

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As the impact of COVID-19 locally and globally continues to evolve, the IFSEL team is closely monitoring developments and following advice from local and national authorities as to recommendations about travel and hosting events in the coming months. We are also regularly in touch with all of our host schools and we will contact all registrants for our upcoming events directly as soon as we have any new information. If you have questions, please email nick@instituteforsel.net .

Online Courses and Workshops

This year, we are called to embrace the opportunity of a uniquely different world. IFSEL is adapting to this digital environment by offering Online Courses and Workshops. Both provide creative, renewing, and practical professional development to nurture social and emotional learning for all.

‍

Support and Belong

In the meantime, if you're looking for ways to support SEL, belonging and connection during this period of Distance Learning, please check out our blog or join one of our weekly Teach Meets. Everyone is invited, whether you have worked with IFSEL before or not. Come just as you are.

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As the impact of COVID-19 locally and globally continues to evolve, the IFSEL team is closely monitoring developments and following advice from local and national authorities as to recommendations about travel and hosting events in the coming months.

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A Short Course on the Poetry of Federico García Lorca

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A Short Course on the Poetry of Federico García Lorca

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Spring 2026

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Gift of Deep Song: A Short Course on the Poetry of Federico Garcia Lorca | Community of Writers

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Federico Garcia Lorca (1898-1936) is a touchstone of 20th century poetry. His concepts of duende and deep song, and his theories about imagination and creativity and poetry, enacted in his poems and expressed in his legendary lectures, have had an immense and lasting influence on poets around the world. Lorca’s poems are mysterious and clear. […]

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Fall 2025

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Things of This World and the Next: A Short Course on Herman Melville’s Moby Dick | Community of Writers

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led by Peter Orner On August 1, 1851, as he was finishing Moby Dick, Herman Melville rode over to see his neighbor and friend, Nathaniel Hawthorne and his wife Sophia. Going to see Hawthorne was Melville’s own birthday present to himself. The two spent hours talking and, even though Sophia forbade it, smoking. Hawthorne wrote […]

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Winter 2026

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Cathy Gassenheimer's review of Bob Garmston's book: Using Powerful Storytelling to Teach, Coach, and Lead

Click here for Click information on sustaining the Thinking Collaborative journey

Now Available: The long awaited, third edition of the Cognitive Coaching hardcover book!

Check out the Thinking Collaborative Workshops!

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Cathy Gassenheimer's review of Bob Garmston's book: Using Powerful Storytelling to Teach, Coach, and Lead Click here for Click information on sustaining the Thinking Collaborative journey Now Available: The long awaited, third edition of the Cognitive Coaching hardcover book! Check out the Thinking Collaborative Workshops!

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Conference to Restore Humanity to Education: The Quest for Connection

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Conference to Restore Humanity to Education: The Quest for Connection

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Summer 2025

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Conference to Restore Humanity! is an international invitation for K-12 and college educators to engage in a human-centered system redesign: centering the needs of students and educators toward a praxis of social justice.

Conference to Restore Humanity! 2025 is still to be announced.

Conference to Restore Humanity! is an annual, designed-for-virtual conference centering progressive education, social justice, and preserving the humanity of classrooms. We strive to bring together the radicals reimagining their classroom spaces and demanding for a just future.

Access the Resources

Following our events, all resources (from 2022-2024) are available open-access. The best educational resources shouldn't be gate-kept.

download

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The yearly virtual Conference to Restore Humanity! brings together radical educators to reimagine education systems across the world.

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Winter 2025

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Equity By Design: Universal Design and Equity Facilitated PD Course

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Learn how to create a universally designed, culturally responsive and equitable learning environment for all students. CRP and Equity course

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2025

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2025 Exeter Humanities Institute Alchemy Evaluation We appreciate your participation this week. Evaluations will be accessible at 7:00 AM on Friday, June 27. Your feedback is essential as we’re always thinking of ways to make our conferences as meaningful as possible.

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Teaching English Language Arts in a Modern Classroom

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Teaching English Language Arts in a Modern Classroom

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Teaching English Language Arts in a Modern Classroom — Modern Classrooms Project

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Join this webinar to learn how to transform your ELA classroom into a dynamic, personalized learning environment. Join Us

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Modern Classrooms Project Distinguished Educator

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Modern Classrooms Project Distinguished Educator

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Fall 2024

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Distinguished Educator Program - Modern Classrooms Project

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Implementing blended, self-paced, mastery-based learning in your classroom? Be recognized, join our community of innovators worldwide, and earn graduate credit, edtech, swag, and more. Apply today!

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Modern Classrooms Project Mentorship Program

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Modern Classrooms Project Mentorship Program

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Spring 2024

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Virtual Mentorship Program — Modern Classrooms Project

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Get support from an expert mentor in learning how to implement self-paced, mastery-based, blended learning with your students.

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Conference to Restore Humanity to Education: Vision into Reality

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Conference to Restore Humanity to Education: Vision into Reality

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Summer 2024

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Conference to Restore Humanity! is an international invitation for K-12 and college educators to engage in a human-centered system redesign: centering the needs of students and educators toward a praxis of social justice.

Conference to Restore Humanity! 2025 is still to be announced.

Conference to Restore Humanity! is an annual, designed-for-virtual conference centering progressive education, social justice, and preserving the humanity of classrooms. We strive to bring together the radicals reimagining their classroom spaces and demanding for a just future.

Access the Resources

Following our events, all resources (from 2022-2024) are available open-access. The best educational resources shouldn't be gate-kept.

download

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The yearly virtual Conference to Restore Humanity! brings together radical educators to reimagine education systems across the world.

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EARCOS Teachers Pre-Conference & Conference

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EARCOS Teachers Pre-Conference & Conference

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Spring 2024 | Preconference: Myron Dueck

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University of Minnesota: Continuing Education 

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University of Minnesota: Continuing Education 

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Cultural Studies: Science and the Humanities - 2011

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Equity Summit with Dr. Christopher Emdin

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Equity Summit with Dr. Christopher Emdin

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St. Paul Public Schools - 2019

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Office of Equity / Equity Learning Series

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Refill Your Reservoir, Resilience as a Mindset and Daily Practice, and Self-Care Strategies on the Frontlines are designed to help you recharge and take care of yourself after a chaotic year. To participate, register on PowerSchool and join the course (NGFX-394K-9HRND).

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Montessori for Social Justice Conferences

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Montessori for Social Justice Conferences

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Summer 2018

Summer 2019

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Past Conferences - Montessori for Social Justice

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Past Conferences June 2019 Thank you to all who attended the 2019 Montessori for Social Justice Conference! Please click on this link to receive your MSJ Continued Professional Development Hours! Our 2019 conference was profiled in MontessoriPublic's Fall 2019 Issue. If you haven't seen it yet, please read and share with your communities!

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Science Museum of Minnesota: Science House Equitable Practices Trainings

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Science Museum of Minnesota: Science House Equitable Practices Trainings

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with Great River Montessori School - 2017-2018

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Science House is not open to museum visitors. The building is home to the museum's IDEAL Center, providing professional development services in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Leadership.

Science House is both a vibrant teaching space and an environmental experiment, because it is designed to operate as a zero-emissions building (ZEB). ZEBs produce all of their energy needs on an annual basis. Since energy monitoring began in February 2004, Science House actually has been producing more energy than it uses on an annual basis.

The energy monitoring of Science House is performed by The Weidt Group with equipment installed and provided by the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory.

How Science House Works

Buildings account for about 35 percent of all energy consumption in the world. By bringing together energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies, Science House will test the idea that even in Minnesota's climate, houses can be constructed to generate much, if not all, of their annual energy needs. Here is how Science House works:

1. Science House's solar photovoltaic standing-seam metal roof generates electricity from sunlight.

2. The direct current (DC) electricity from the solar roof feeds into inverters on an outside wall of Science House that convert the DC into alternating current (AC).

3. Electricity from the inverters powers the Science House, including a ground-source heat pump.

4. The heat pump circulates a non-toxic fluid through plastic tubes looped down four, 250-feet-deep wells.

5. The heat pump extracts heat from the Earth to warm Science House in winter.

6. The heat pump extracts heat from Science House and dissipates it into the Earth to cool Science House in summer.

7. Energy-efficient windows allow for passive solar heating in winter and minimize the need for artificial lighting year-round.

8. Energy-efficient lighting and lighting controls minimize the use of electricity to light Science House.

9. Spray-in foam insulation in the walls and ceiling creates a building envelope with a high R-value and minimal uncontrolled air infiltration.

10. Science House feeds electricity back to the Science Museum when the solar roof is generating more than Science House is consuming.

11. Science House draws electricity from the Science Museum when Science House is consuming more than the solar roof is generating.

12. The goal is that Science House produces as much energy as it consumes on an annual basis.

Science House Supporters

The Science Museum of Minnesota gratefully acknowledges the following for their support of Science House:
Supporters who provided general funding to Science House: Supporters who provided targeted funding to Science House: Contributions of goods and services to Science House: Citizen funders of Science House:

Ruth Agar

Vernon Arnold, Jr.

Bonnie Beckel and Joseph Hesla

Ellen Brooks and Dave Hackett

Melissa Brown

Dr. Susan L. Clarke

Russ W. Fischer

Heather and Jeffrey Ilse

Ralph Jacobson

Tom and Stephanie Koehler

Warren and Marion Lang

Alice and David Langworthy

Deborah Pullin and Robert Spottswood

Louise Quinn

Marvin Rothfusz

David Stevens and Elizabeth Borg

David and Linda Therkelsen

Richard and Marian Vandellen

Rosalie E. Wahl

Timothy and Carol Wahl

Fremont A. Williams

Frank and Raquel Wood

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Science House is not open to museum visitors. The building is home to the museum's IDEAL Center, providing professional development services in Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Leadership. Science House is both a vibrant teaching space and an environmental experiment, because it is designed to operate as a zero-emissions building (ZEB).

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St. Paul Public Schools - 2017

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St. Paul's School | Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice

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As a fully residential academic community founded in the Episcopal tradition and rooted in enduring humanistic values, St. Paul's School welcomes and affirms the dignity of all human beings. Increasing diversity, strengthening inclusivity, and deepening equity require deep listening, open hearts, and open minds. We honor and affirm the experiences of our students, faculty, and staff.

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ADHD: Focusing, Learning, Teaching - Teaching Channel

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ADHD: Focusing, Learning, Teaching - Teaching Channel

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Graduate level course - 3 credits - 2023

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Engagement Strategies for the 21st Century Thinking Classroom

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Engagement Strategies for the 21st Century Thinking Classroom

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Graduate level course - 3 credits - 2023

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2022

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Modern Classrooms Project - Free blended, self-paced, mastery-based PD, built by teachers.

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An innovative, research-backed instructional model that responds to every student's needs. Our free online course has empowered thousands of educators!

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Neurodiversity: A New Approach for Students with Special Needs

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Neurodiversity: A New Approach for Students with Special Needs

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Graduate level course - 3 credits - 2022

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International Montessori Training Institute: 3-Stage Learning Cycle Series

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International Montessori Training Institute: 3-Stage Learning Cycle Series

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IMTI - 2022

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How do we help guide studies for adolescents? How do we support their inquiry?

How do we turn the work of learning over to the students?

Maria Montessori used the structure of a vocabulary exercise borrowed from Édouard Séguin called the Three-Period Lesson that recognizes three stages of scaffolded learning, which Montessori connected to sensorial experience and exploration for the young child.

Montessori practitioners at all levels recognize that throughout development, the PROCESS of the learner, which is internal and motivated by choice and the drive for purposeful work, deserves the adult's respect and support and can be seen as having a similar three-part framework.

Emily Dowell and Susan Holmes-Glazier, long-time Montessori adolescent practitioners and now trainers-in-training with AMI, will guide participants through three separate webinar presentations in January and February-each exploring one stage of the Three-Stage Learning Cycle for adolescents 12-15. All 3 webinars will be recorded and available for participants to view for 3 weeks after the live presentations.
Join Emily and Susan for just one session, or purchase the whole series at a discount!

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The Three Stage Learning Cycle for Adolescents: The Third Stage - International Montessori Training Institute

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Emily Dowell and Susan Holmes-Glazier, long-time Montessori adolescent practitioners and now trainers-in-training with AMI, will guide participants through three separate webinar presentations in January and February-each exploring one stage of the Three-Stage Learning Cycle for adolescents 12-15. Join us for a look at just one stage, or participate in all three!

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Learning That Transfers: Level 3 Educator Badge

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Learning That Transfers: Level 3 Educator Badge

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2022

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Learning That Transfers empowers teachers and curriculum designers alike to harness the critical concepts of traditional disciplines while building students' capacity to navigate, interpret, and transfer their learning to solve novel and complex modern problems.

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Learning That Transfers empowers teachers and curriculum designers alike to harness the critical concepts of traditional disciplines while building students' capacity to navigate, interpret, and transfer their learning to solve novel and complex modern problems.

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International Montessori Training Institute: Orientation to Adolescence

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International Montessori Training Institute: Orientation to Adolescence

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2021

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2019

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Education Community - Apple Education Community

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Join the professional learning hub for educators using Apple technology. Learn new skills and connect with others for collaboration and inspiration.

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2019

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DigitalWorks: Engaging English Language Arts and Mathematics Through Media Arts, is a four-year U. S. Department of Education Arts Education Model Development and Dissemination grant.

DigitalWorks aims to integrate Media Arts into English Language Arts and Math curriculum through targeted professional development and support for integrating technology and media arts pedagogy into instruction.

DigitalWorks Objectives

Increase the percentage of students at pilot school sites who demonstrate proficiency on state standardized assessments of Math and English Language Arts

Demonstrate proficiency for students at pilot schools in curricular assessments of arts-integrated Media Arts, Math, and English Language Arts learning

Improve teacher effectiveness in designing, delivering, and measuring arts-integrated student learning.

In project Years 1-3, DigitalWorks works with grade 3-8 teachers at four pilot schools - Mississippi Creative Arts and Maxfield Elementary and Humboldt and Creative Arts Middle Schools. In Years 3 and 4, professional development, curriculum, assessments and resources created are disseminated locally and nationally.

A project goal is for SPPS to create a sustainable and replicable framework for Arts Integration, which will support future district Arts Integration efforts and can be used by districts throughout the country.

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Visual, Media and Performing Arts / DigitalWorks

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DigitalWorks: Engaging English Language Arts and Mathematics Through Media Arts, is a four-year U. S. Department of Education Arts Education Model Development and Dissemination grant. DigitalWorks aims to integrate Media Arts into English Language Arts and Math curriculum through targeted professional development and support for integrating technology and media arts pedagogy into instruction.

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Dominican University: Trauma & the Brain Course with Dr. Addison Duane

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Dominican University: Trauma & the Brain Course with Dr. Addison Duane

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2019

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Online Professional Development Courses for Teachers - Dominican CA Online

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Trauma Informed Practice Training for Teachers - Dominican CA Online

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We offer the best training program on Trauma-Informed Practices for teachers. The goal is to help build educators' awareness of the impact of trauma and gain skills to support students.

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SPPS: Building Healthy Relationships: Interrupting Sexual Violence

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SPPS: Building Healthy Relationships: Interrupting Sexual Violence

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2019

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St. Paul Public Schools - 2017

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St. Paul's School | Diversity Equity Inclusion and Justice

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As a fully residential academic community founded in the Episcopal tradition and rooted in enduring humanistic values, St. Paul's School welcomes and affirms the dignity of all human beings. Increasing diversity, strengthening inclusivity, and deepening equity require deep listening, open hearts, and open minds. We honor and affirm the experiences of our students, faculty, and staff.

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University of Minnesota: Continuing Education 

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University of Minnesota: Continuing Education 

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Anthropology: Ethnographic Classics - 2011

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2017

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Why Mindfulness?

Educating and mentoring our youth is a calling that draws some of the most dedicated people on the planet. Educators serve on the frontlines of mitigating our nation's social challenges, but they are often themselves overwhelmed and lack the support to cope with the acute stress and trauma that plays out in their classrooms. It's tough, high-stakes work that can result in anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout.

Mindfulness offers strategies that help educators feel more calm, effective, connected, and resilient. Research shows that mindfulness cultivates skills to manage stress and to build attention, focus, and resilience--empowering educators to feel nourished and energized to create safe, supportive spaces for students in the classroom, at home, and beyond.

About This Course
4-WEEKS ONLINE | 2-3 HOURS PER WEEK | 2 LIVE SESSIONS | CREDITS AVAILABLE
101: Mindfulness Foundations is at the heart of what Mindful Schools is known for-an educator-centered approach to bring mindfulness to K-12 contexts. In this 4-week course, we provide a grounding in the neuroscience of mindfulness and share simple yet powerful practices and strategies to bring mindfulness into daily life--to manage stress, build resilience, and bring your full presence to interactions with students.

At Mindful Schools, we define mindfulness asbeing present in the moment here and now, paying attention to our thoughts, bodily sensations, and external environment with kindness, nonjudgment, and curiosity. Mindfulness can provide immediate tools to meet challenges with more openness, care, and compassion, as well as strategies that promote everyday self-care and well-being.

This is the first course in the path toward building a "mindful school" and fulfills the prerequisite for 201: Mindfulness in the Classroom.

Course Outcomes

Understand the science of mindfulness and how the adult nervous system is an intervention

Learn different practices that can resource you during your teaching day and daily life

Practice strategies to navigate intense emotions and negative thought patterns

Uncover blindspots and disrupt implicit bias

Use trauma-sensitive approaches in your own practice

Inspire compassion, curiosity, openness, and connection

Get support from a Mindful Schools Online Course Guide and connect with peers in LIVE Sessions and the course forums

Graduate Credits

What You'll Learn
See the calendar of LIVE Session dates
LIVE Support From Your Online Course Guide

Online Course Guides are experienced Mindful Schools faculty members who support you in all four weeks of the course. Through optional LIVE Sessions, weekly emails and updates, and course forums, your Online Course Guide will facilitate discussions, synthesize emerging themes, answer questions, and provide ongoing guidance and feedback.

Training Path

This is the first course in the path toward building a "mindful school" and fulfills the prerequisite for 201: Mindfulness in the Classroom. This course is designed for educators, mentors, parents, caregivers, and adults supporting school communities. We recommend this course for both beginners and those with significant mindfulness experience.

Meet Your Lead Teachers

Neena Barreto comes to this work with 20 years as a classroom teacher and teacher leader. She has taught mindfulness in over 30 classrooms from transitional kindergarten through sixth grade. Neena has also coached teachers, provided teacher and staff training, parent classes, as well as educator retreats and public speaking engagements. A Bay Area native, she now lives in Southern Oregon, where she draws upon the natural world as a deep resource to embody her mindfulness practice. Neena is founder of Into the Forest Revelations, an organization that seeks to bring clarity and wisdom for those seeking their life's purpose.

Argos Gonzalez is a teacher, lecturer, mindfulness teacher, and yoga instructor. With over 20 years of experience in education, starting in high school classrooms in the Bronx, Argos currently teaches pre-service and in-service teachers at Hunter College School of Education in NY. Argos is certified through both the Mindful Schools Mindful Teacher Certification Program and Little Flower Yoga. Argos was a contributing editor to Best Practices for Yoga in Schools, and his work has been featured in national media including NPR and The Atlantic. As a frequent speaker at major conferences, Argos is an important contributor to the yoga in schools movement and a trusted expert with feet in the yoga, mindfulness, and education worlds. His deep passion for empowering children and adolescents and supporting other educators to do the same comes through in all aspects of his work.

Jelena Popovic is a school psychologist by training and a peacebuilder by heart. As a mother and Teaching Peace in Schools Leadership Council Lead for The Peace Alliance, Jelena aspires to educate, advocate, and mobilize others in co-creating a culture of peace. Her passion is facilitating dialogs that are grounded in mindful awareness and empathy. Jelena is a facilitation trainer for Soliya and Erasmus + Virtual Exchange, facilitates virtual circles for Millennium Forum and the Peace of Mind, and she serves on the advisory board for Cities4Peace. She guides mindfulness retreats for educators at the Copper Beech Institute, leads international At Home In the World family retreats, and is co-founder of Design to Connect LLC, an educational consulting organization, that assists schools in their efforts in skillful, integrated and sustainable schoolwide implementation of mindfulness, and peace education practices.

Course Creators

Crystal McCreary is registered with Yoga Alliance at the E-RYT-500 level, with a specialty RCYT for children's yoga. She leads Yoga Alliance certified yoga teacher trainings, facilitates professional development workshops, and speaks nationally about the impact of yoga and mindfulness on the health and well-being of children, adolescents and adults. Crystal also teaches public classes in New York City and curates transformative wellness retreats which explore her own mindful vinyasa practice, her curiosity about anatomy, her passion for intelligent sequences that sow vigor and softness in body, and a more peaceful mind through mindfulness meditation.

Em Morrison has taught mindfulness and served as a youth worker at after-school programs, summer camps, and on adult, young adult, and teen retreats for the past 16 years. In Washington, DC, Em created a flagship restorative justice retreat for youth and made mindfulness practice a central piece of the experience. Em has trained with many teachers over the years and has done trainings with Mindful Schools, Minds Inc., and iBme. Em focuses on Nonviolent Communication and restorative justice along with teaching the practices for personal AND collective liberation.

Course Contributors

Aáron B. Heard started her teaching career in East Oakland teaching ELA, Social Studies, and Theatre and she now facilitates workshops for educators on the topics of Art, Healing, and Social Justice. She is an artist, learner, and educator rooted in love, curiosity, and community. Described as the 'heart of the team,' she is grounded in purpose, leads with enthusiasm, questions with a critical curiosity, and prioritizes learning, reflection, and growth. Aáron received her Bachelor's Degree in English: Creative Writing from University of Southern California, her Master's in Urban Education from Loyola Marymount University, and holds a certification as an Arts Integration Specialist.

More Questions? Visit Our FAQ Page

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101: Mindfulness Foundations - Mindful Schools

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Why Mindfulness? Educating and mentoring our youth is a calling that draws some of the most dedicated people on the planet. Educators serve on the frontlines of mitigating our nation's social challenges, but they are often themselves overwhelmed and lack the support to cope with the acute stress and trauma that plays out in their classrooms. It's tough, high-stakes work that can result in anxiety, overwhelm, and burnout.

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Summer 2018 - St. Paul Federation of Educators

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The Farnsworth Multi-Cultural Boys Group is led in circle.

Educators at Restorative Practice Pilot Sites often lead their classes in circle.

Restorative Circles have center pieces to ground the discussion.

Circles are used to build community in schools.

Restorative Practices represent a radical shift in the way members of our school communities relate to each other, focusing on intentional relationship building and shared problem solving. When restorative practices are successful, families feel safe and welcome at their child's school because they have deep, lasting relationships within the school community.

Restorative Practices began as means for SPFE to address school discipline issues during our 2015-16 contract negotiations. Through our partnership with Saint Paul Public Schools and their Office of College and Career Readiness, Restorative Practices in Saint Paul has become a model for a healthy, racially equitable school culture.

SPFE won an agreement in 2016 with our school district to initiate Restorative Practice pilot sites. The program has continued to expand in St. Paul in the subsequent years.

Year 5: American Indian Magnet School, Maxfield Elementary School, Murray Middle School, Farnsworth Aerospace Upper School, Johnson High School, and Riverview West Side School of Excellence

Year 4: Eastern Heights Elementary, Parkway Montessori Community Middle School, Washington Technology Magnet School

Year 3: Battle Creek Middle School, Central High School, Nokomis Montessori North

Year 2: E-STEM Middle School

Year 1: Adams Spanish Immersion Elementary, Benjamin E. Mays Elementary, Bruce Vento Elementary, Global Arts Plus, Jackson Elementary

Exploring: Capitol Hill Magnet School, Cherokee Heights Elementary, Horace Mann Elementary, John A. Johnson Elementary, Open World Learning Community

SPFE offers professional development opportunities to educators as well as community members who would like to learn more about Restorative Practices. To learn more, contact SPFE's Teaching and Learning Center at tlc@spfe28.org.

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The Farnsworth Multi-Cultural Boys Group is led in circle. Educators at Restorative Practice Pilot Sites often lead their classes in circle. Restorative Circles have center pieces to ground the discussion. Circles are used to build community in schools.

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Minnesota Department of Education: Restorative Practices in Schools

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Minnesota Department of Education: Restorative Practices in Schools

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2018

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Restorative Practices in Schools and Communities

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Due to the CDC's recommended Covid-19 response plans we have cancelled the "in-person" 2020 Restorative Practices in Schools and Communities Conference June 15th-June 19th. We are offering, in partnership with the MN Department of Education, the other Conference Site Teams and Facilitators, virtual RP training and circles on various topics.
Registration is now open for the Minnesota Department of Education School Climate Center Restorative Practices in Schools and Communities Online Educational Sessions this June. Restorative practices is an approach schools can use to improve school climate and repair harm.

Working with our community partners and the RP trainer community, MDE is offering two weeks of online sessions for both experienced practitioners and those first beginning their exploration of restorative practices. Rather than trying to replicate the experience of learning with people face to face, we are offering educational sessions online.

The fee for each three day, 2 hour session is $75; nine CEU's and Administrative CEU's will be offered. For further information contact Nancy Riestenberg, Minnesota Department of Education, 651-582-8433.

There are two kinds of offerings scheduled: building the restorative impulse and coaching sessions.

Please click here to access course descriptions.

Please click on the link to register for the online offerings. Thank you!

Restorative Practices are drawn from the traditions of Indigenous people and communities of color around the world. They are grounded in a common knowledge that people are profoundly relational, interconnected, and inherently good. Restorative practices include ways of creating community that honor the importance of relationships amongst all members in the community; as well as practices to repair relationships when harm has been caused and address the needs of all people impacted by the harm.

When integrated into daily living, Restorative Practices support our thriving personally, professionally and within our communities. Showing up in this way expands our potential for successfully creating a peaceful world- inside and out.

The Conference training sessions are open to anyone who works with youth, including school administrators, school board members, teachers, educational aides, school resource officers, school facilities staff members, student support staff members, out of school time staff, youth workers, school volunteers, family members and community partners. Sessions ranging from introductory level to advanced level will be offered. Schools are encouraged to register a team to the trainings. Individuals are welcome.

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Due to the CDC's recommended Covid-19 response plans we have cancelled the "in-person" 2020 Restorative Practices in Schools and Communities Conference June 15th-June 19th. We are offering, in partnership with the MN Department of Education, the other Conference Site Teams and Facilitators, virtual RP training and circles on various topics.

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Madison, Wisconsin YWCA: Restorative Practices Level I

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Madison, Wisconsin YWCA: Restorative Practices Level I

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2016

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YWCA Madison envisions a community where people of all racial, ethnic, socio-economic and gender groups are valued and included, and discrimination and injustice are eliminated.

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Innocent Classroom - 2017

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Click here to register today and join us on December 4, 2021 starting at 9 am CDT. This year's theme is Movement for Innocence: Hope, Belief, Action. Click here for more information about our conference.

Every child should know what it is like to feel innocent - to believe that this world is open to them. Our society's stereotypes stand in the way. We partner with administrators, principals, and classroom teachers to help them build relationships that liberate children of color from the power of racial stereotypes in their schools and classrooms.

Register for 2021 Conference

News & Events

Watch our Event: Closing the Relationship Gap: Innocence & Learning Loss

On September 29, the Innocent Classroom team hosted a national conversation on Innocence and Learning Loss. We had an inspiring dialogue focusing on how we must transform the current narrative about our students and the impact of the past three school years. Participants emphasized that we need to center that children did learn and found ways to connect with us and each other that we could not have anticipated.

As one participant said, "Let's focus on the learning that did happen in the last two years."

Click to Watch

Register Today for the 2021 Innocent Classroom Virtual Conference. December 4, 2021.

Join the Innocent Classroom Community this December 4th. Our theme is "Movement for Innocence: The Power of Collective Hope."

Alexs Pate, creator of the Innocent Classroom and author of The Innocent Classroom: Dismantling Racial Bias to Support Student of Color (ASCD 2020) will be our opening keynote. He'll provide a preview of his new Innocent Classroom book scheduled to be published by ASCD in late 2022.

Register

Watch Replacing Systemic Racism with Systemic Innocence: A Conversation with the Innocent Classroom

Join the Innocent Classroom team for a conversation about replacing systemic racism in education with systems where all children are free from racial bias and stereotyped expectations.

Watch Today

The Innocent Classroom: Dismantling Racial Bias to Support Students of Color

"The Innocent Classroom is solution based. What's more, it puts the strategic capacity in the hands of educators.

It is past time for us to stop trying to manage our children. Whatever form that approach takes, it seems to create disparate outcomes. Rather, it is time to understand our children and help them come to believe that they can exist outside any stereotypical image or idea they have been led to believe about themselves.

If we go about it the right way, this ineffective system can give way to one that reflects a more enlightened understanding of who the children are who sit uneasily at their desks. Maybe this is the dawn of a new age in public education: the age of the child. The individual child. The innocent child."

Purchase Book

Our education system fails millions of our children. Poor grades and low graduation rates are accepted as the norm - with lasting consequences for students' education and our social fabric.

We have not prepared teachers to teach all our children. The gap between educators' lived experience and the students they teach grows every day, fueling the negative stereotypes that undermine achievement.

Our children are not who the world says they are. Regardless of virulent negative stereotypes, every student is innocent or has the potential to reclaim his or her innocence. Every child is worthy of the investment of passionate educators.

Our Impact

As more teachers take up the challenge, it changes the school: vocabulary shifts, practices evolve, and the culture rallies around students who are most wounded. Schools make progress as a community - classroom by classroom, year after year.

Students... expect to be seen as disruptive, angry, argumentative, defiant, and unmotivated. But if someone hears them, respects them, cares about them, and tries to see their good, they change. They become approachable. They want to listen and learn.

Innocent Classroom Participant,
Minneapolis Public Schools

Proven to narrow the achievement gap.

Innocent Classroom is having a significant impact in districts with some of the country's deepest divides. Our approach to building relationships improves student performance and teacher practice where other programs fall short.

Learn About Our Impact

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Innocent Classroom: Dismantling Racial Bias

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Click here to register today and join us on December 4, 2021 starting at 9 am CDT. This year's theme is Movement for Innocence: Hope, Belief, Action. Click here for more information about our conference. Every child should know what it is like to feel innocent - to believe that this world is open to them.

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American Federation of Teachers: Behavior Management Course

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American Federation of Teachers: Behavior Management Course

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2018

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WHEREAS, the preparation of teachers is fundamental in order to provide quality education for all children; and

WHEREAS, education in urban areas needs teachers with special abilities and training; and

WHEREAS, the selection and training of such teachers has been left exclusively in the hands of the colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, the teacher union movement must assume its share of this responsibility:
RESOLVED, that the American Federation of Teachers urge its locals to initiate dialogue on the subject of teacher education and teacher training with the colleges and universities that provide student teaching in their own school districts; and RESOLVED, that contract negotiations at the local level include safeguards and direction so that universities and colleges will provide proper training for student teachers; and RESOLVED, that sponsoring teachers assigned by the district to give such training be chosen for their ability to relate well and work effectively with children and teachers in training; and RESOLVED, that contract negotiations include a reasonable remuneration and time for the sponsoring teacher to work with the student teacher. (Executive Council)

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WHEREAS, the preparation of teachers is fundamental in order to provide quality education for all children; andWHEREAS, education in urban areas needs teachers with special abilities and training; andWHEREAS, the selection and training of such teachers has been left exclusively in the hands of the colleges and universities; and

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SPPS: DigitalWorks - Introductory Course

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SPPS: DigitalWorks - Introductory Course

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2017

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DigitalWorks: Engaging English Language Arts and Mathematics Through Media Arts, is a four-year U. S. Department of Education Arts Education Model Development and Dissemination grant.

DigitalWorks aims to integrate Media Arts into English Language Arts and Math curriculum through targeted professional development and support for integrating technology and media arts pedagogy into instruction.

DigitalWorks Objectives

Increase the percentage of students at pilot school sites who demonstrate proficiency on state standardized assessments of Math and English Language Arts

Demonstrate proficiency for students at pilot schools in curricular assessments of arts-integrated Media Arts, Math, and English Language Arts learning

Improve teacher effectiveness in designing, delivering, and measuring arts-integrated student learning.

In project Years 1-3, DigitalWorks works with grade 3-8 teachers at four pilot schools - Mississippi Creative Arts and Maxfield Elementary and Humboldt and Creative Arts Middle Schools. In Years 3 and 4, professional development, curriculum, assessments and resources created are disseminated locally and nationally.

A project goal is for SPPS to create a sustainable and replicable framework for Arts Integration, which will support future district Arts Integration efforts and can be used by districts throughout the country.

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Visual, Media and Performing Arts / DigitalWorks

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DigitalWorks: Engaging English Language Arts and Mathematics Through Media Arts, is a four-year U. S. Department of Education Arts Education Model Development and Dissemination grant. DigitalWorks aims to integrate Media Arts into English Language Arts and Math curriculum through targeted professional development and support for integrating technology and media arts pedagogy into instruction.

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2016

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Download the eBook NOW!

Nonverbal classroom management with proven results

ENVoY® (Educational Nonverbal Yardsticks) nonverbal classroom management is easy to learn and proven effective.

Here are three real world results:

+57.2% Increase in Student Achievement

"... student achievement has increased 57.2% ... in the years of ENVoY® implementation." [1]

+1.5 Hours of Curriculum Time per Week

"Classroom teachers actually gain an hour and half of instruction [time], each week" [2]

-84% Decrease in Student Dismissals & Suspensions

"...significant shift in student discipline incidences with an 84% decrease in student dismissals and suspensions ..." [1]

Videos about ENVoY Nonverbal Classroom Management

See what teachers, educators and researchers have to say about ENVoY® and how it has advanced classroom management while preserving relationships.

More Schools In Central Minnesota are Implementing the ENVoY® Program in their Classroom

Teacher Shares Experiences with ENVoY® & Coaching

"... teachers who implement the Envoy gems gain more than an hour of curriculum time per week ..."

"... ENVoY® focuses on improving student productivity and enhancing a positive classroom environment ..."

"... ENVoY® non-verbal classroom management... it's invaluable, it's incredible."

What is the ENVoY® program?

Michael Grinder, the author of ENVoY®, talks about: the foundations of ENVoY®, non-verbal communication within the educational context and what the book covers.

ENVoY® (Classroom Management) Research & Results (2015)

Anoka-Hennepin is the largest school district in Minnesota, this is a report on the dramatic effects of ENVoY®. The referrals to the office decrease, the test scores increase, and the well-being of the student, staff, and community is raised.

"... student achievement has increased 57.2% ... in the years of envoy implementation."

"... significant shift in student discipline incidences with an 84% decrease in student dismissals and suspensions ..."

How to Get Started?

Download your copy of ENVoY® today and start using the practical skills in your classroom immediately.

ENVoY® Coaches Report

The schools trained in ENVoY® are finding both direct and indirect results of the program:

The students are more self-directed and responsible for their own learning.

At the start of the third quarter, many teachers comment that they are 2 - 3 weeks ahead of the content pace of previous years.

Teachers that have a better understanding of "At-Risk" learners spend less time disciplining, something Principals love.

Teachers have a system that encourages and supports them to visit each other's classrooms. This amount of professional sharing is a great morale boost.

What the experts are saying about ENVoY®

Dr. Robert Garmston
Co-director of Institute for Intelligent Behavior
"The heart of Michael Grinder's book is chock-full of practical and eloquent non-verbal classroom management techniques."

Robert Dilts
NLP University
"Michael offers an effective collection of tactics for the teacher. ENVoY is a welcome breath of fresh air."

Kaze Gadway
Program Director, Gadway Training Institute
"The heart of Michael Grinder's book is chock-full of practical and eloquent non-verbal classroom management techniques."

Robert Dilts
NLP University
"Michael offers an effective collection of tactics for the teacher. ENVoY is a welcome breath of fresh air."

ENVoY®: Your Personal Guide
to Nonverbal Classroom Management
Learn ENVoY® NOW! Start using in your class TOMORROW.

Spend More Time Teaching Curriculum and Less Time Managing Behavior.

Learn 7 Easy and Practical Non-Verbal Strategies for Classroom Management.

Improve your Job Satisfaction as a Teacher.

- or -
Order the book for only $32.95

Resources Cited:

1. [Anoka-Hennepin Schools] Dr. Mary Wolverton - associate superintendent for elementary schools, Kari Rock - Eisenhower Elementary principal, Jen Mares - elementary ENVoY coach and Amy Reed - Rum River Elementary assistant principal. (January 26, 2015). MINUTES OF MEETING SCHOOL BOARD OF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 11 (Anoka-Hennepin School District) STATE OF MINNESOTA [Video File]. Retrieved from http://anoka-k12.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=2&clip_id=304&meta_id=25261

2. [Lakeland PBS] Rynell Schock - NJPA Education Solution Leader. (June 1, 2016). More Schools In Central Minnesota are Implementing the ENVoY Program in their Classroom [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/2A2cubMcE3o

3. [Michael Grinder]. (May 16, 2016). A thank you to Michael Grinder (2016) [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/iGYq8pnaQ_Q

4. [NJPA]. (August 25, 2015). Dan Savoie shares his experiences with the Education Solutions team [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/pvB_yH9bTOs

5. [Michael Grinder]. (December 7, 2017). Foundations of ENVoY (REVISED) [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/F9QyncYUYVk

6. [Michael Grinder]. (May 26, 2015). ENVoY (Classroom Management) Research (2015) [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/3pjfPSPunYY

7. [Northeast College Prep]. (November 27, 2016). NECP Teachers Using ENVoY (mannequin challenge) 2016 [Video File]. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/ujy9B6SciOs

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ENVoY Nonverbal Communication Classroom Management for Educators

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Download the eBook NOW! ENVoY® (Educational Nonverbal Yardsticks) nonverbal classroom management is easy to learn and proven effective. Here are three real world results: +57.2% Increase in Student Achievement +1.5 Hours of Curriculum Time per Week -84% Decrease in Student Dismissals & Suspensions See what teachers, educators and researchers have to say about ENVoY® and how it has advanced classroom management while preserving relationships.