THE POWER OF GROUP CHEMISTRY

Humanity is on a consumption binge. It’s not going well and it’s not sustainable. We Americans are leading this binge followed closely by China and India, two countries that constitute almost 1/3 of the world population. We all need to slow down, take a breath, and ask ourselves what’s really important.

At our current rate we will see continued environmental and societal decline. The poorest in the world are paying the price for our over-consumption. Poor nations are burdened by parched earth in which nothing can be planted, others by rivers that are overflowing and destroying villages. In developed countries the rates of anxiety and depression in children and adults continue to rise creating huge stress on national health systems.

In this course, teachers will learn strategies and access resources that help them convey to students at all levels K-12 what it means to be a conscientious and healthy member of the global community. We need to look at what it means to be a citizen of the world, by taking responsibility for the impact of our actions on people near and far as we develop healthy lifestyles, and healthy social networks.

This self-paced online course explores best practices for fostering inclusion, equity, and effective classroom management in early childhood and K-12 education. Through readings, videos, podcasts, and reflection-based assignments, participants will deepen their understanding of how to create calm, supportive, and inclusive spaces for all learners.

Key Learning Areas:

✅ Understanding Inclusion & Equity – Defining inclusive education and reflecting on personal beliefs and practices.
✅ Building a Culture of Belonging – Strategies for fostering student connection, equity, and care.
✅ Behavioral Supports & Responsive Relationships – Approaching challenging behaviors through relationships and culturally responsive strategies.
✅ Classroom Environment & Visual Supports – Designing physical spaces and routines that promote student independence and regulation.
✅ Teaching Behavioral Expectations – Using visuals, routines, and reinforcement strategies to maintain a structured classroom.
✅ Transitions & Daily Routines – Developing smooth, engaging transitions to support student regulation.
✅ Social-Emotional Learning & Peer Interactions – Encouraging collaboration, empathy, and social skill development.
✅ Advocacy & Equity in Education – Addressing systemic barriers and developing small-scale advocacy efforts to support marginalized students.

Do you want to feel more fulfilled, successful and joyful at work? Do you feel depleted energetically and overwhelmed by what is being asked and expected of you as an educator? Do you have the energy necessary to tap into your creativity, productivity, and optimism needed for excellent teaching and learning? Working with Elena Aguilar’s book, Onward, you will cultivate your emotional resilience to help you thrive as an educator.

This course is designed for K-12 teachers, both for a personal connection with nature and for helping students connect with nature. Teachers will explore the impact of the natural world on our bodies, minds, spirits, and overall sense of well-being. In addition, teachers will learn how being in nature benefits students, calms their nervous systems and enhances cognitive, observational, and creative problem-solving skills. 

Classroom Management is essential to the creation of a productive, creative and brave community. It is the bedrock to all the potential learnings that can be. However, it is one of the most nuanced and most difficult things an educator is called to do every single day. Our relationships with our students are the foundation for everything that happens throughout the day. Yet, it is incredibly challenging having to balance the many pieces of our job. Using the Responsive Classroom’s The Morning Meeting Book as our guide, we will dig into the purpose and execution of daily morning meetings in classrooms from grades K-8. 

This course meets OSPI’s STEM requirements

Learn how to incorporate great STEM lessons (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) into your K-8 classroom, and why STEM integration is important. You will also learn to use rich resources, creative activities and templates to enhance student learning and confidence. The popular movie "The Martian," provides a rich resource of STEM activities. Your students will discover the many occupations STEM learning translates into.  Fulfills OSPIs STEM requirements for Washington State teachers.

The evidence is incontrovertible: Aerobic exercise can physically remodel your brain for peak performance. Our text, SPARK presents startling research proving that exercise truly defends against ADD, depression, and aggression. Learn about amazing case studies: the revolutionary fitness program in Naperville, Illinois that made this school district's 19,000 kids #1 in science test scores in the world!