Professional Development for Educators

Big Feelings: Emotion-Focused Skills Training (EFST) Workshop for Teachers and Parents

Start the new school year with clarity and confidence. Gain the skills to confidently navigate and manage big emotions and behaviours in your classroom and at home to improve learning and overall well-being.

This workshop offers an important opportunity for both educators and parents to attend together. Learning alongside each other will help you understand the perspectives and challenges of the other, fostering effective parent-teacher partnership strategies to create a cohesive approach to supporting children's emotional development. An invaluable learning experience for those who are both an educator and parent.

August 22nd and 23rd, 2024

9:30 am - 4 pm

291A Jane St. Toronto, M6S 3Z3

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

  • Understand and Navigate Children's Big Feelings: Gain insights into the emotional landscape of your students. Learn how to identify, understand, and respond to their intense emotions in a constructive way.

  • Strengthen Your Relationships: Enhance your relationship-building skills to create stronger, more supportive connections with your students. Understand the dynamics that contribute to a nurturing educational environment.

  • Utilize Your Relationship as a Tool: Discover how your unique relationship with each student can be a powerful tool in helping them manage their emotions. Learn techniques to build trust and use your connection to facilitate emotional regulation.

  • Set Limits and Problem-Solve Challenging Behaviours: Develop strategies for setting healthy boundaries and collaboratively solving behavioural issues. Transform conflicts into teaching moments and foster a positive classroom environment.

  • Navigate Your Own Emotions: Reflect on your own emotional responses and learn how to manage them effectively. Overcome personal challenges that may impede your ability to support your students' emotional needs.

  • Trust Your Intuition and Boost Confidence: Build confidence in your teaching approach by trusting your instincts. Empower yourself with the knowledge and skills to make informed, intuitive decisions in the classroom.

  • Effective for All Children: Whether your students have specific diagnoses or not, the techniques and insights gained from this workshop are universally applicable. Support the emotional well-being of every child in your classroom.

Meet the Instructors

Julia Swaigen MSW, RSW

Laura Greenberg .Ed, M.SC, RP

Julia Swaigen MSW, RSW & Laura Greenberg M.Ed, M.SC, RP have a combined 30 years of experience in Child and Family Mental Health. They bring a down to earth, human centred approach grounded in extensive training as well as their own experiences as human parents.

What will I leave with at the end of this course that I didn't have before?

Participants will acquire tools to confidently manage students' big emotions and challenging behaviours to create a more positive and supportive classroom environment and improved\earning outcomes and overall well-being.

Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion for the course.

Am I eligible for this course?

This course is for educators, parents, administrators and any one working with children who would like to develop effective tools for supporting the emotional and behavioural needs of children.

Are there any prerequisites for this course?

No prior experience is required.

The workshop is 12 hours of learning over 2 days.

(9:30 am to 4:00 pm)

This course is offered in-person. Sessions are held in Toronto at 291A Jane Street.

Registration is limited, as smaller cohorts allow for individualized attention to each participant.

OFIS members enjoy exclusive rates for this course. Registrants may be eligible for financial assistance through the OFIS Charitable Trust.

August 22nd and 23rd, 2024

9:30 am - 4 pm

291A Jane St. Toronto, M6S 3Z3