Professional Development (PD) Offerings

At Whole Child Connection, we believe that Professional Development (PD) should be customized to meet your needs, be grounded in what is happening in your school or program, and ideally build upon itself.

Because we don’t take a one-and-done approach to PD, we work with you to provide solutions that fit your needs. Below are some of the offerings and content available.

Please contact us for more information or to discuss PD opportunities for your location.

Examples of Professional Development Offerings
2-hour Sessions

• Introduction to Social Emotional Learning
  We have heard more and more that Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is more important now than ever, but what is SEL and how do you bring it to your learning space? This learning experience is for people who are new to SEL. It is designed to increase basic understanding, share some of the benefits of SEL, and the areas of implementation. Participants will explore the CASEL model five competencies and consider how SEL intersects with equity and anti-racist work. This interactive session models the three SEL signature practices and provides strategies that participants can use right away.
• SEL and ELA
  Social and Emotional Learning is more important than ever, and yet many teachers are feeling the pressure to ‘catch students up’. This interactive and engaging session is designed for elementary school educators to integrate SEL into ELA using culturally diverse children’s literature. In this session, you will gain practical strategies including morning meeting prompts to strengthen community and positive identity.
• Integrating Restorative Practices and Social Emotional Learning Within the Classroom
  This multi-part series is dedicated to supporting educators and deepening their application of Restorative Practices, Social Emotional Learning, and Culturally Responsive Practices within the classroom community and core academic instruction. Tailored to the needs, interests and challenges of participants, this series is an intimate growth space where participants can receive support catered to their journey as a group and as individuals This professional learning community will focus on practical strategies as well as be a space to share resources, best practices, and problem solve together. Integrating a Whole Child approach, participants will develop practical classroom approaches for integrating these concepts into core instruction while aligning with frameworks such as the NYSED CR-S and NYSED SEL Benchmarks. This series will consist of five 1.5 hour in-person skill building sessions and 3 one-hour virtual check-in sessions to discuss progress.
• Trauma Informed SEL Practices 
  As we learn more about trauma and understand that we have all experienced trauma in our lives, we are acutely aware how critical it is to create trauma-informed learning environments that center relationships and healing. As we continue to process the ongoing trauma around us and across the world, we want to be prepared to most effectively support the well-being of each and every one of our students. Learning happens when learners feel safe, seen, valued, and heard. In this session, we will build an awareness of trauma and its impact on children’s development, examine oppression as a form of trauma, and explore trauma-informed, trauma-aligned SEL practices. Participants will leave with practical take-aways and strategies for implementing trauma informed practices.
• Partnering with Students to Create Brave Learning Spaces 
  In today’s ever-changing world, youth need opportunities to engage with adults and each other in meaningful ways. They deserve spaces, experiences and adults that support them to develop and be their full selves. This session will support participants to intentionally and effectively foster brave learning environments, in partnership with youth. Participants will explore practical ways to amplify youth voice as well as consider redefining youth engagement from power over to power with young people. This learning experience will provide practical strategies and resources that align with positive youth development and social and emotional learning practices. Participants will leave with resources that include a youth developed tip sheet and strategies for implementation.
• Fostering a Community of Belonging Through Culturally Responsive Restorative Practices 
  A culturally responsive restorative approach is a powerful practice for fostering genuine relationships, student-adult partnerships, collaborative communities, and a sense of belonging. Without first establishing a culture of loving accountability based in authentic, affirming relationships and asset-based practices, approaches to addressing discipline and harm are not truly restorative. In this session, students will participate in a community building circle. Together we will cultivate a brave space through equity of voice and shared power where each participant is valued for their unique perspective and lived experience, invited to share what community means to them and supported to share their hopes for creating a community of belonging. Over time, the hope is that students help to create a community that acknowledges and challenges intolerance, injustice, stereotypes and all forms of oppression.