Creating Virtual Connections: Whole Learners© Expands Reach
Understanding the increasing demands of both professional and personal responsibilities even before COVID drastically changed the way we live and work, Whole Learners© co-developer, Abi Gadea made the decision to move the program to an online, self-paced platform. A comprehensive teacher professional development program, Whole Learners© aims to bring tailored developmental and relational approaches to school staff to improve connections and engagement with all students. Decades of research show that having a trusted adult at school is a key ingredient for increasing students’ engagement and school connectedness, which are associated with long-lasting positive health and educational outcomes. “Our program was designed for those who work most closely with youth; educators, social workers, counselors, behavioral specialists, school nurses, just to name a few. A common barrier to obtaining continuing education for all of these individuals is the in-person requirements of these trainings,” said Gadea. “By moving the Whole Learners© program to an online platform and setting it up in a way that allows individuals to complete the training on their own time, we hope to reach a much larger audience.”
The Whole Learners© program deepens understanding about adolescent development, brain research, and relational theories, improving adults’ capacity to connect and support young people in school settings. Translating the program to an online platform allows learners to complete five self-paced modules that include short lectures, readings, reflections, and downloadable tools. The final module helps the learner develop an individualized student connection plan that they can utilize in their own settings. Gadea and team know that providing useful resources and helping school professionals see how they can put these tools into practice is essential for retention, applicability, and accountability. In addition, completion of these modules results in a certificate for 10 contact hours of professional continuing education.
“Having an online, self-paced, asynchronous course available for those who work with adolescents in school settings was a top priority for us even before these social distancing times,” stated Gadea. In addition to the online course, Whole Learners© relational coaches also offer virtual individual and team coaching sessions. Coaching sessions create an intentional and non-judgmental environment where educators can reflect on their practice, problem-solve, and explore and take action toward addressing implicit bias and structural racism.
“There are many barriers to students feeling connected to a trusting adult at school. During this pandemic, professional development programs must come up with collaborative and tailored solutions to attend to the needs of students and support educators in continuing with their crucial work,” said Gadea. “Our hope is that by offering Whole Learners© online, we will provide the tools and resources that educators and those who work most closely with adolescents need to build and sustain positive relationships with students.”
To learn more about the Whole Learners© program, including in-person tailored trainings and relational individual and coaching services, please visit www.wholelearners.com or email [email protected].
To enroll in the Whole Learners© Relationships Matter online course click here!