Have you ever felt like you were more of a problem-solver than a teacher? Your best-made lesson plans are delayed by listening to your students argue about a problem that occurred at recess. You deal with this stress by addressing the class in a way that you regret. You know you’re a great teacher but you’re overwhelmed.

If this sounds familiar, Teaching from the Heart is the course for you. Using a curriculum based on Nonviolent Communication principles, this program will provide you with tangible ways to manage your classroom and reach your full potential as an educator. Our doubts as caregivers and teachers are inevitable. If we have a system to refer to when these doubts creep in, we can relax. 

Learn how to manage your classroom/learning environment with a practical, simple curriculum based on Nonviolent Communication expert Gina Simm’s book Heart to Heart: Three Systems for Staying Connected (A Manual for Parents and Teachers). Through participating in this course, you’ll learn how to use practical systems to maintain the heart-to-heart connections that support children’s ability to self-regulate and improve their emotional intelligence. 

Participants are encouraged (though not required) to purchase instructor Gina Simm’s book, Heart to Heart: Three Systems for Staying Connected (A Manual for Parents and Teachers).*

PROGRAM BENEFITS                                                      

• Learn how to manage conflict in your classroom
• Build an understanding of nonviolent communication methods
• Understand the power of children’s books to support social-emotional learning (SEL)
• Recognize the difference between empathy and problem solving
• Transform your learning environment!

TOPICS COVERED

This course provides a full social-emotional curriculum based on Nonviolent Communication principles. Systems and tools like the Wheel of Choice and Problem-Solving Meetings will help you transform your learning environment. Use children’s literature to teach the principles of Nonviolent Communication in your classroom.

WHO SHOULD ENROLL

This course is designed to benefit teachers, educators and anyone who cares about children (preschoolers through third grade), especially:

• Afterschool program staff
• Caregivers
• Childcare providers
• Educators
• Grandparents
• Guidance counselors
• Homeschool teachers and organizations
• Montessori teachers
• Parents and guardians
• Summer camp counselors
• Teachers (including those in training)

INSTRUCTOR

Gina Simm has taught in early childhood education for over 30 years. Her background in Montessori education and children’s theater launched her into the world of public schools where she spent most of her career as a first-grade teacher (including a year spent teaching English in China). Simm worked closely with Miki Kashtan, a co-founder of Bay Area Nonviolent Communication. Simm’s knowledge of Nonviolent Communication has transformed her classroom into a place where systems of the heart create a child-centered environment for moving through conflict. Simm lives in the Pioneer Valley Cohousing Community in Amherst, Massachusetts. To learn more, visit www.teachingfromyourheart.org.

PROGRAM DATES & TIMES

August 24-26
9-11:30 a.m. (with breaks)

PROGRAM FEE

$125 

Need-based scholarships for Knox and Waldo County residents who plan to use the skills gained in the course to benefit their community. More information about need-based scholarships is here.

LOCATION

Zoom

CLASS CAPACITY

30 students

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information or to request an accommodation contact Michelle Patten, Conference and Professional Development Coordinator, michelle.patten@maine.edu; 207.338.8002.

*The book can be purchased through Gina directly or on Amazon/Barnes & Noble.