Constructive Communication in the Classroom and School

Students and teachers face unprecedented division, conflict, and polarization in the classroom and across school communities. We need educational spaces today, more than ever, that will empower school community members to leverage compassion and curiosity, build authentic relationships, and resist the toxic influence of political polarization.

In this three-hour workshop, educators develop the skills and confidence they need to engage differences in ways that create authentic connections, rich mutual understanding, and resilience to political polarization. This highly interactive workshop will anchor participants in the theory of communication across differences and provide a new framework to foster more constructive conversations. 

Participants will learn and practice tools that strengthen the skills of dialogic listening, inquiry, reflection, and speaking in order to promote healthier dynamics, encourage meaningful interpersonal connections, and halt the spread of polarization in their classroom or school. These interventions are adaptable for classroom learning, extracurricular activities, and the school culture at large.

Objectives:

• To identify patterns that can make communication difficult
• To gain a basic understanding of a framework for more constructive conversations
• To learn and practice tools for listening, inquiry, speaking, and reflection that interrupt dysfunctional patterns and support more constructive conversations.

Participating educators will receive a ten-lesson plan curriculum that they will be equipped to deploy immediately with students to put what they learned into practice.

Accreditation and Continuing Education

Essential Partners provides a certificate upon completion of the workshop that can be used to support a request for professional development credits.

Scholarships

Essential Partners provides a limited number of partial or full scholarships for each workshop it hosts. A member of the staff will inform applicants of their decisions six weeks prior to the workshop date; applicants will confirm their acceptance by registering online. Scholarships are granted based on two criteria: financial need; and potential for impact on a community level.

Fill out this form to apply for a scholarship.

Cancellation Policies

If you must cancel, please do so as far in advance as possible. Cancellations are subject to a $25 administration fee. Refunds will be issued to the original payment method.

To receive any refund your cancellation must be made at least 2 weeks before the event or workshop date. Essential Partners is under no obligation to offer any refund or credit if you cancel within two weeks of an event or workshop. If you need to cancel due to a medical emergency or other emergency reason, please call (617) 923-1216 or email training@whatisessential.org as soon as possible.

In some instances, Essential Partners must cancel a workshop due to low enrollment, faculty illness, or other reason. In the unlikely event that we have to cancel a workshop, we will give you 7-10 days notice. If the workshop is canceled, Essential Partners will issue you a full refund of the registration fee, with no administration fees withheld.