Dear Colleague,

My hope is that as a result of participating in Part 1, your toolbox is filled with meaningful skills and strategies that connect you to yourselves and your students! Having this renewed sense of purpose and wellbeing, I invite you to continue your journey of transformation by participating in Part 2. We will reflect on Teachable Moments that occurred between sessions and dive deeper into the 5 Strategies of The Virtues Project. We will explore a holistic approach to Restorative Practices as well as deepen our practice in the counseling technique of Companioning. This session will also support your personal, professional and organizational transformation, equipping you with the skills, tools and strategies to apply in all aspects of your life in and out of the classroom. The Heart of Education Part 1 is a prerequisite for this session.

Educators can earn 3 university credits for recertification and salary advancement from Shepherd University for only $189.00 and 3 hours. In total, completing both Part 1 and Part 2 can amount to 6 earned credits. Click on this link Shepherd EDPD-Registration to access the registration form to submit to Shepherd.

Below are the details for the Registration Information:

CRN#:41570    Subject: EDPD    Course#: 699   Section: 65  Cr Hrs: 3    Title:  Heart of Education Part 2

Goals/Objectives: As a result of actively participating in this course you will dig deeper into your understand of how to:

  1. Balance academic rigor and accountability with supporting the needs of the Whole Child
  2. Use language to build trust and increase hope, engagement and well-being
  3. Recognize teachable moments to strengthen resiliency, purpose, and a growth mindset
  4. Utilize virtues based boundaries and Restorative Justice in culturally respectful and responsive ways to create safer schools and end the school to prison pipeline
  5. Apply a 7 step counseling technique to listen with compassionate curiosity to empower others to find clarity and create their own solutions
  6. Increase joy, meaning and purpose through the arts, service learning and by creating a culture of mutual respect and appreciation.

Course Materials:

  • Handout packet and PowerPoint
  • Padlet of Resources
  • darafeldman.com and www.virtuesmatter.org
  • Sample Virtues Cards App from iTunes or Google Play
  • Free PDF and audio of The Heart of Education: Bringing Joy, Meaning and Purpose Back to Teaching and Learning by Dara Feldman https://www.virtuesmatter.com/the-heart-of-education-book

Course Expectations: Educators will actively participate in the online session and

  • Do daily virtues pick for at least 7 days and reflect using the journal feature
  • Read or listen to chapters 7 and 9 of The Heart of Education (associated Setting Clear Boundaries and the Art of Companioning)

Optional: Explore the different resources on darafeldman.com

Choose one of the following assignment to be turned in:

  1. Create virtues based boundaries with your students, colleagues, or family.
  2. Write a 1-2 page paper or create a 6-10 slide PPT. giving an overview of the 5 Strategies of The Virtues Project, including one interactive activity or video, that you can share to introduce the project to your colleagues.

Please reach out to me with any questions you have. 301-529-1302. dara@virtuesmatter.org

I look forward to being with you on this journey back to joy in the classroom!

With love, gratitude, and enthusiasm,

Dara