Dare To Be Me - Teaching and Learning with the Heart, Body, and Mind, Pfeffer, Fall 2024

Course Description

Dare To Be Me (DTBM) is a pedagogical philosophy and practice that invites students and teachers to embark on a personal and educational journey of courage, growth, belonging, and expression. It aims to turn the traditional public school system on its head by fostering aliveness through exploration and dialogue grounded in deep connection to place, to each other, and to their full selves. In this course, educators engage in a process of self-discovery and empowerment so they can help promote a collaborative school culture that is centered on holistic wellbeing. Participants will spend active time in Nature, learn a variety of mindfulness activities, practice quiet introspection, and discuss how their own and their students' mental, physical and emotional wellbeing impacts classroom culture and academic achievement. Through different forms of reflective journaling, they will form a vision of who they want to be as a teacher and colleague.

This course will be held at Hazen Union School and on the Hardwick Trails and will go throughout the whole school year. At least half of each class will be spent outside, even in winter. Weather appropriate clothing is therefore absolutely necessary. Participants will also be asked to sign a liability waiver on the first day of the class.

Audience: All Educators (including PK-12 teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, school-based clinicians, school nurses, school support staff). Limited to 12 participants.

Instructor

Anja Pfeffer, M.A.Ed., has been an educator in Vermont public schools for over 22 years. With the help of her 2021 Rowland Fellowship, she developed Dare To Be Me, a holistic pedagogy that centers the heart-body-mind system of students and teachers alike and that fosters a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of all beings. After graduating from Prescott College with a Master of Arts in Equine-Assisted Experiential Education in 2016, she developed Walking With Horses: a program that brings humans and horses together to build mutually enriching relationships grounded in a heightened sense of awareness, respect, and connection. She has been offering Walking With Horses and Dare To Be Me professional development courses since 2018 and continues to dedicate her personal and professional studies to the transformation of schools into places where students and adults co-create a culture of healing and thriving.

Course Goals & Objectives

Course Goals

• Taking time to be, reflect, and connect with self and other educators
• Identifying and learning how to put into practice the four pillars of Dare To Be Me:
  • Fostering courage (Dare)
  • Adopting a growth mindset (To)
  • Developing a sense of belonging (Be)
  • Nurturing self-expression (Me)
• Building a repertoire of strategies to bring a sense of joy and aliveness into the classroom
• Experiencing a renewed sense of belonging and purpose

  Course Objectives

• I can attune to my own and other people’s physical, mental and emotional needs.
• I can create a classroom and school environment that builds the foundation for wellbeing through awareness of self and others, deep listening, caring, and respect.
• I can synthesize deep connection to the natural world, contemplative and mindfulness practice, identity exploration, adventure and movement into activities that nurture the whole heart-body-mind system.
• I can cultivate an “I can” attitude within my classroom and within our school community.
• I can develop strong relationships with students and colleagues.

Required Readings:

Excerpts from the recommended readings below and beyond (printed copies will be provided)

Recommended Readings:

Brackett, M. (2019). Permission to feel: The power of emotional intelligence to achieve well-being and success. Celadon Books.

Brown, B. (2021). Atlas of the heart: Mapping meaningful connection and the language of human experience. Penguin Random House.

Heath, C., & Heath, D. (2010). Switch: How to change things when change is hard. Crown Publishing.

Kagge, E. (2020). Walking: One step at a time. Vintage Books.

Menakem, R. (2017). My grandmother’s hands: Racialized trauma and the pathway to mending our hearts and bodies. Central Recovery Press.

Muhammad, G. (2023) Unearthing joy: A guide to culturally and historically responsive teaching and learning. Scholastic Inc.

Murphy Paul, A. (2021). The extended mind: The power of thinking outside the brain. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing.

Shalaby, C. (2017). Troublemakers: Lessons in freedom from young children at school. The New Press.

Shevrin Venet, A. (2021). Equity-centered trauma-informed education. W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

Su, F. (2020). Mathematics for human flourishing. Yale University Press.

Van Der Kolk, B. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Penguin Books.

Wall Kimmerer, R. (2013). Braiding sweetgrass: Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and the teachings of plants. Milkweed Editions.

Walker Leslie, C. (2015). The curious nature guide: Explore the natural wonders all around you. Storey Publishing.

Welling, T. (2014). Writing wild: Forming a creative partnership with nature. New World Library.

For additional course information

More Course Information

Anja Pfeffer

802-681-3662

For additional registration information

Center for Schools Team
(802) 468-1325

Register Now!