Greater Good Educators Summer Workshop 2024: Kindness in Schools


What is the Greater Good Educators Summer Workshop: Kindness?

For seven years, we ran a highly successful Summer Institute for Educators. But the field of well-being in schools has changed—and we’ve changed with it! To honor the profound wisdom of educators, we’ve created a new experience for them to share that wisdom with each other: The Greater Good Educators Summer Workshop.

Very simply, the Greater Good Educators Summer Workshop provides a space for educators from around the world to gather together in support of one another while they work to change the dominant narrative in education to one that values compassion, kindness, forgiveness, and cooperation. The Greater Good Science Center will provide the space, the science, and some kick-off ideas, but the real magic will take place in the deep conversations and creative process among participants.

This year, we’re focusing on kindness–because the world really needs it right now and because it’s the #1 topic asked for by our education audience. In future years, we’ll focus on other topics of well-being.

 

How it works

Prior to attending the workshop, participants will receive access to an online module that provides an overview of the science of kindness, why it matters for education, and ideas for applying it in classrooms and schools. The module will include videos, articles, reflection questions, and practices. Participants will be encouraged to try a practice prior to attending the Summer Workshop.

Then, at the Summer Workshop, participants will bring their insights, questions, and ideas, and work together to create research-based strategies for integrating the science of kindness into their classrooms and schools that are relevant and appropriate for each participant’s school context.

We’ll also have a ton of fun! Yoga, hiking, games, and more, all within a nurturing learning environment for deepening our understanding and practice of well-being for ourselves and our students.

 

Workshop Components and Learning Objectives

At the Summer Workshop, you will experience:

  • Practical activities for fostering kindness in classrooms and schools
  • Deep self-reflection, thought-provoking discussions, and collaborative strategy sessions to create new ways for applying the science of kindness in your classroom and school that are relevant and appropriate for your students and/or staff
  • A strong and lasting support network of education professionals who are doing this work around the world

Workshop learning objectives:

  • Learn about, reflect on, and discuss the science of kindness and its relevance to education.
  • Examine different ways the practical application of the science of kindness can be integrated into various aspects of education, including school relationships, student and adult well-being, school and classroom climate, content, and pedagogy.
  • In collaboration with other educators, create culturally and developmentally appropriate, research-based strategies for integrating the science of kindness into classrooms and schools.

 

Proposed Agenda

Sunday, July 28th

3:00-5:00 p.m. Registration
5:30-8:00 p.m. Reception and opening circle (buffet dinner provided)

Monday, July 29th

7:00-9:00 a.m. Breakfast/Yoga (optional)/Hike (optional)
9:00-4:00 p.m. Workshop
Dinner on your own

Tuesday, July 30th
7:00-9:00 a.m. Contemplative Practice (optional)/Breakfast
9:00-12:00 p.m. Workshop
12:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Depart for Home

Download a flyer for the event.

Who Should Apply?

Education professionals who are interested in putting the science of kindness into action in their classrooms and schools, including:

  • PreK-12 classroom teachers, paraeducators, and out-of-school-time providers
  • PreK-12 school mental health professionals and counselors
  • PreK-12 school and district-level administrators
  • Higher education professionals working directly with pre-service teachers and administrators, but please be aware that the Workshop is geared primarily towards PreK-12 education professionals


Cost to Attend

The cost per participant is $800. This includes tuition, materials, room, and board (all meals, except one dinner). Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses and arrangements.

Included in the cost to attend:

  • 3 days of training and workshopping
  • 2 nights of accommodation (Sunday, July 28, and Monday, July 29)
  • Meals, including, dinner on Sunday, July 28; breakfast and lunch on Monday, July 29; and breakfast and lunch on Tuesday, July 30
  • Materials
  • A Greater Good Toolkit for Kids
  • A certificate of completion with 15 clock hours


Scholarship Opportunities

Understanding that those who attend the Greater Good Educators Summer Workshop do so on the salary of education professionals, we do our best to make the Summer Workshop affordable without sacrificing quality or integrity. If you are unable to pay the full amount, we ask that you first check with your school to see if they will cover any of your costs with professional development or other funding. We have created a Funding Support Packet that may help you "make the case" to your school or district leaders - we hope it helps! If your school does not have funding, or their funding does not cover what you need, we may be able to provide a partial scholarship to help offset the cost of attendance.

The Greater Good Science Center is completely funded by donations and grants—we do not receive any financial support from the University of California, Berkeley. As such, we have limited funds available for scholarships and cannot offer full scholarships. In order to be as fair as possible to all applicants and create the most opportunity we can with scholarships, we ask applicants only request funding if truly required. Please note that UC Berkeley policy prohibits us from awarding scholarships for travel.

Scholarships for California education professionals

Through a partnership with CalHOPE, we have 20 full scholarships available for California-based Education Professionals. If you work in a California school, district, out-of-school-time program that is associated with a school or district, or county office of education, and do not have additional funding to support this experience, you can indicate that you would like to be considered for a scholarship on your summer workshop application. (Unfortunately, we cannot offer these scholarships to California education-related non-profit employees.)

Please note that California County Offices of Education can also use their Mindfulness and Wellness funding to send educators to the workshop (and pay for their travel!).

Scholarships for non-California educators

Additionally, we have a limited number of $200 scholarships available for education professionals outside of California (U.S. or internationally-based). You will be able to indicate scholarship needs in your summer workshop application.


Cancellation Policy

Cancellations must be submitted via fax or email. Full refunds will be given up to 45 days prior to the start of the program. Due to program demand and pre-workshop preparations, cancellations received 44-31 days prior to the start of the program are subject to a fee of 10% of the program tuition. Cancellations received within 30 days prior to the start of the program and no-shows are subject to the full program tuition. Please note: cancellation fees are based upon the date the written request is received.


Nondiscrimination Policy

The University of California, in accordance with applicable Federal and State Law, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services.
 

Accommodations and Meals

Housing accommodations are located at the University of California, Berkeley, Clark Kerr Campus—a beautiful Spanish-style complex. Situated in a lovely Berkeley neighborhood, the campus is within walking distance of restaurants, shops, and the UC Berkeley main campus. There are several hiking trails with breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay directly behind the campus.

The two- and three-bedroom suites have shared living rooms and one or two bathrooms that are shared by suite occupants. Each participant will be assigned a private room for sleeping with a shared bath.

All meals except dinner on Monday, July 29th, are included. (Past participants have told us they enjoy the opportunity to eat at one of Berkeley’s many wonderful restaurants.) Buffet menus offer a wide selection of hot entrees (including vegetarian and vegan options), a 100% organic salad bar, vegetables, soup, beverages, and desserts at each meal. Coffee, tea, and snacks will be available during the meeting sessions.


Travel/Transportation

Participants are required to arrange their own travel. Please do not make any arrangements until you are admitted to the program (all applicants will be notified by March 15, 2024). Daily parking permits are available for $17/day and must be purchased in advance. More details will be included in the registration package.

Nearby airports

Transportation from the airport

  • BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) + taxi
  • Bayporter (daytime, by reservation only)
  • Super Shuttle (evening, by reservation only)
  • Taxi or Uber/Lyft
  • {mtx_speakers_name}

    Margaret Golden, Ed.D.

    Margaret Golden, Ed.D., plans and facilitates GGSC communities of practice to provide educators with transformative explorations in the science of well-being and social-emotional learning.

  • {mtx_speakers_name}

    Salina Mae Espinosa-Setchko

    Salina Mae (she/her/ella), is a Bay Area born and raised community leader with over 20 years experience serving California schools both as a K-12 classroom teacher and as a mindfulness coach and consultant.

  • {mtx_speakers_name}

    Gabrielle Thurmond

    Gabrielle Thurmond is a public school educator and the founder and principal consultant of Educate ABC123. She has spent over 20 years working in schools with administrators, teachers, and families in service to students.