Masters Degree Courses: Schedule

There is a growing body of research noting the correlation between academic success and the emotional/physical health of students. Given the growing importance of attending to the whole child, this course has been developed to increase K-12 educators’ knowledge of health and wellness practices and research. The course will ask participants to assess their own beliefs and practices in health and wellness and will encourage a self-change model. The course is based on two theoretical structures: one being that wellness is composed of physical, emotional, mental, social, and spiritual health. The second structure is Erickson’s stages of development and their usage in directing our choices for growth throughout our lives. 

Students examine the theoretical application of curriculum design within the context of contemporary American classrooms. Relationships among subject matter, teaching, learning, and assessments are viewed from an interdisciplinary perspective.

This course is designed to address the most critical issues in schools today - climate and community. Respect for self and others have been documented by research over the past twenty-five years as being lacking in children with developmental, behavioral and learning problems. It is impossible to teach and learn successfully in an environment that is less than safe. Educators K through 12 are invited to participate in this highly experiential classroom community-building course. We will work through a developmental program designed to identify, model and practice strategies for team, group, and community building, self-respect and social skill building.

This course is designed to explore the impact of traumatic experiences on children and adolescents across multiple stages of development. In addition this course will identify how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) can affect the ability of children to learn in a variety of settings. Through engagement and participation in experiences, learners will gain a comprehensive understanding of the impacts of trauma and ACEs and attain a variety of strategies to implement in the school setting to effectively contain and manage maladaptive emotional and physical responses.

The course is designed to help teachers, administrators, and support staff eliminate the achievement gap. Our goal is to present a comprehensive K-12 model that ensures racial and social differences in academic achievement are eliminated. The program will focus on the academic, social and emotional learning skills that improve achievement for all students. Our primary philosophy is respect, responsibility and relationships are essential for academics to be relevant to all learners. Until we address the relevance of academics to all learners we can never be successful with academic rigor.

NEWLY REDESIGNED COURSE

In education, we often discuss “preparing students for the future,” yet the core of what students truly need remains unchanged—connection, empathy, self-awareness, and the ability to navigate relationships and challenges. These essential skills are embedded within the five core competencies of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. These are the skills that the 21st-century student needs to develop in order to thrive in an ever-evolving world, and the opportunities to learn and grow in these areas are vital for success.

This course takes a deep dive into these competencies, moving beyond theory to practical implementation in the classroom. Educators will explore strategies to explicitly integrate these skills into their curriculum. We will prioritize teaching the whole child, addressing both academic and social-emotional needs, and tackle common challenges—such as finding time and aligning SEL with content areas—offering solutions that make integration seamless rather than an added burden.

Participants will leave with concrete lesson plans, adaptable strategies, and access to a wealth of resources and research to support SEL implementation at all grade levels, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.