Are you an educator who is experiencing initiative fatigue in addition to compassion fatigue?  Are you looking for professional learning that can also uplift your spirits? There is HOPE!

The Virtues Project is a restorative practices framework which addresses the needs of the Whole Child/Whole Adult.  It has SEL and character development as its foundation and is trauma and culturally responsive. The Virtues Project utilizes 5 strategies which inspire individuals to live more authentic meaningful lives, families to raise children of compassion and integrity, educators to create safe, caring, and high performing learning communities, and leaders to encourage excellence and appreciation in the workplace. Honored by the United Nations as a model global program for families of all cultures and endorsed by The Dalai Lama, it has inspired and mobilized people worldwide to commit acts of service and generosity and to heal violence with virtues.

As a result of lessons learned over the past 3 years from my work with more than 50 schools in Baltimore, Maryland, below is an outline of a path forward for a possible scale-able and sustainable model.

If you are considering a holistic approach to creating a positive and all around healthy and safe school culture, it is ideal to create cohorts of heterogeneous groups at selected schools to participate in The Virtues Project 2-day Introduction and 3-day Facilitator Training.

Sample 2 Year Implementation Model

The model below details a possible two-year implementation with best practices gleaned across schools that have had success implementing The Virtues Project. It is by no means prescriptive and can be adapted based on your school’s needs.

Possible Training Scenarios

Year 1

Two 90 Minute Overview Sessions for All Staff: These hands-on workshop will give an overview of The Virtues Project, its history, benefits, and an introduction to The Five Strategies.  Participants will walk away with an understanding of the project, how it supports the needs of the Whole Child/Whole Adult, is aligned with the IIRP restorative framework, has SEL and character development as its foundation, and is trauma and culturally responsive.  Participants will be able to use Virtues Language to acknowledge behaviors in positive and supportive ways as well as circles to build and strengthen relationships. All staff members will be on the same page and understand the implementation of The Virtues Project and its benefits for their students, colleagues, themselves and the entire school community.

One 90 minute “The Power of Positive Language for Strengthening Our Families & Growing Great Kids”: This workshop is geared towards parents and guardians and will provide an introduction to Virtues Language and how mindfulness and circles are being used in schools.  Participants will learn how to Speak the Language of Virtues and strengthen the home-school connection.

Year 1 Weekend Retreat or Summer PD

Two-Day Virtues Project Introductory Workshop: This highly interactive workshop inspires individuals to live more authentic, joyful lives, families to raise children of compassion and integrity, educators to create safe, caring and high performing learning communities, and leaders to inspire excellence and ethics in the workplace. This workshop is offered to heterogeneous teams from each school, including administrators, instructional coaches, counselors, teachers from each grade level/content area, supporting services and parent liaisons. Please note that it is ideal to provide an additional day directly after the two-day introduction to plan for implementation.

Outcomes:  As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Balance academic rigor and accountability with supporting the needs of the Whole Child.
  • Use language to build trust and increase hope, engagement, and well-being.
  • Recognize teachable moments to develop resiliency, determination & authentic self-esteem.
  • Utilize virtues based boundaries and Restorative Justice to create safer, more healing centered and equitable schools
  • Listen with compassionate curiosity to empower others to find clarity and create their own solutions.
  • Increase joy, meaning and purpose through the arts, service learning and by creating a culture of mutual respect and appreciation.

Year 2 Weekend Retreat or Summer PD

Three-Day Virtues Project Facilitator Training (30 Person Maximum): Imagine a world where no child is left without mentorship and friendship. Picture a community in which everyone, from parents to police, has the will and skill to teach respect, foster kindness, and model integrity.  When communities use the Virtues Strategies for prevention, intervention and healing, significant changes occur.  With these strategies, we build a culture of character and improve our quality of life.  The Virtues Project inspires hope, even to those who are most hopeless.

This workshop is ideal for a community of learners from each school who are enthusiastically committed to The Virtues Project and will work cooperatively with colleagues to lead and sustain efforts at their school and throughout the community. Throughout this workshop, participants will deepen in the 5 Strategies of The Virtues Project and create a long-range plan for sustainability.  After completing this Facilitator Training, participants are certified Virtues Project Facilitators and can offer workshops to staff, parents, students and others beyond their school community.

The Facilitator Training includes:

  • In-depth training on the Five Strategies of The Virtues Project
  • Tools for excellent group facilitation and time to practice
  • An opportunity to form interest groups and work on presentations
  • Extensive Leaders’ Manual with workshop samples and scripts
  • Access to the worldwide Virtues Project International Association Google Group for ongoing mentorship, support and capacity building.
  • Discount of 20% on most Virtues Project materials

Year 2 After School Sessions

Zoom Coaching: In order to provide ongoing support, facilitators will have access to participate in monthly Zoom calls where we will share celebrations, discuss teachable moments, problem solve and learn with one another.

Professional Learning Communities to Focus on Specific Relevant Topics and/or Roles: PLCs will be created with job embedded coaching as well as support from The Heart of Education

  • Mindfulness
  • Trauma Responsive Teaching
  • Race and Equity
  • SEL/Character
  • Restorative Practices

I encourage you to checkout these videos clips from Kenwood High School staff and students where they share how the project made a positive impact in their lives.

 

 

Please reach out to me if I can be of service to you in any capacity!  Wishing you much joy, meaning and purpose, always and in all ways!

With warmest caring and enthusiasm,

Dara 301-529-1302  dara@darafeldman.com