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Happiness is a crucial ingredient of human well-being and health, and the pursuit of which was identified as an “inalienable right” in the US Declaration of Independence. In America, as in other developed nations, many seek material things to bring happiness. Yet, a wide variety of environmental, health and social justice indicators suggest people in developed nations are consuming too much. Consumerism is the idea that increasing consumption of goods and services purchased in the market is always a desirable goal.

The path to peace in the world starts with peace of mind. Participants in this course will learn educational strategies to help students calm themselves, alter their state of mind, and learn how to manage their behaviors. The result is more happiness, less conflict, and higher rates of authentic learning. Strategies will include techniques of self-observation and following the breath. Participants will explore literature and social studies that address the issues of peace.

Whether a family, student group, classroom or school, every group has a culture which is the invisible but powerful influence that affects peoples’ felt experience as well as group outcomes. 
When a group taps into these three skills: build safety, share vulnerability and establish purpose, they feel happier; they know they can navigate the challenges presented to them. 
Do you know groups who would like to take their performance to the above and beyond? If so then come along and explore more about how that might happen with The Power of Group Chemistry.
 

Don’t lose heart when everything you do to help failing students doesn’t work, because this course will turn that around.  You don’t have to lose students through the cracks anymore, as research-supported strategies based on neuroscience and mindset can help inspire interventions for powerful change. Your instructor, Brenda McKinney, has spent her career teaching, creating programs, and developing curriculum for failing students. You will learn practical, data-driven strategies

Climate change, school shootings and political gridlock are indicators of world change. It is good teaching to involve ourselves and our grade 5-12 classrooms in being aware, caring and making a difference. You will explore a variety of critical issues and a variety of web sites including Facing the Future, Awakening the Dreamer and more. Your students will learn that it brings heart and meaning to their lives when they advocate for positive change in their community and in the world.

We live in a new era of technology and terminology, one that has created difficulties and boundaries between the common knowledge, language and perception of our students. This world has opened the doors to dangerous drugs; an inevitable problem our student population will face. Dive head first into the vast amount of online and community resources to combat this dynamic problem.

Discover dozens of ways to involve your students in fun environmentally sustainable, earth-friendly projects. Learn how to create native plant gardens, water and energy conservation programs, recycling and composting stations and functional, earth-friendly eco-roofs. In addition, low energy transportation options will be discussed, including bicycling and public transportation. Learn about community-based art projects to beautify schools and your neighborhoods. $25 text and materials fee due to the instructor.

Throughout each day, educators are expected to balance academic demands with the personal aspects of each child. The purpose of this course is to help educators to become more organized in their preparation time and in their teaching style.

Trees provide K-12 students an avenue to the scientific methods of observation, classification, notation and drawing. Tree study can also be integrated with writing, math, art and social studies activities.