TRAIN-THE-TRAINER (T4T): Strength Education
Strengths and positive education are considered to be a blend of evidence-based learning from the science of positive psychology and best practices in learning and teaching (White, 2014). The emphasis of this approach to education is routed in empirically validated learning experiences that impact a student's wellbeing, skills, and character development. In particular, research has demonstrated that positive education increases self-control, often predicting grades, absences, study habits, classroom conduct and homework completion (Duckworth, et al., 2012; Duckworth & Seligman, 2005; Park, 2013); and grit and ability to persevere for long-term goals (Duckworth, et al., 2007). As schools - from elementary to tertiary level - increasingly report playing a role in the management of student well-being as a central aspect of teaching, a strengths and positive educational approach emphasizes the design of an "ideal learning environment [that] optimizes well-being. It reflects a positive school ethos that makes the school an exciting, stimulating and welcoming place" (Queensland Department of Education & Training, 2012). In particular, many schools are adopting this lens and investing in designing learning experiences that promote self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, social management, motivation and engagement, and policies that create supportive and inclusive school cultures to cultivate learning.
Recognizing that becoming a strengths-based culture where positive education is at the forefront of teaching and learning - both in the academic and co-curricular sense - does not happen overnight, we have designed a Train-the-Trainer curriculum that cultivates flourishing educators, or Campus Strengths Advocates (CSAs), who support students in becoming the best version of themselves. Through careful exploration of personal strengths, teaching and learning pedagogy, and well-being, educators learn how to embed strengths-based and positive practices into their classes, programs, conversations and learning experiences for students. Offered in-person or virtually, this tailored introductory program shapes educators into strengths advocates, planting seeds to grow a culture of positive education within their schools and institutions. For those looking to continue their development, the intermediate level digs in deeper, allowing educators to think more intentionally about designing more programs - from learning outcomes, to strategies, to assessment practices - grounded in a strengths-based approach, and explores the importance of strengths-based scholarship.
Recognizing that becoming a strengths-based culture where positive education is at the forefront of teaching and learning - both in the academic and co-curricular sense - does not happen overnight, we have designed a Train-the-Trainer curriculum that cultivates flourishing educators, or Campus Strengths Advocates (CSAs), who support students in becoming the best version of themselves. Through careful exploration of personal strengths, teaching and learning pedagogy, and well-being, educators learn how to embed strengths-based and positive practices into their classes, programs, conversations and learning experiences for students. Offered in-person or virtually, this tailored introductory program shapes educators into strengths advocates, planting seeds to grow a culture of positive education within their schools and institutions. For those looking to continue their development, the intermediate level digs in deeper, allowing educators to think more intentionally about designing more programs - from learning outcomes, to strategies, to assessment practices - grounded in a strengths-based approach, and explores the importance of strengths-based scholarship.
