FREE Virtual Courses for Educators

In addition to our work with districts, CanopyEd works with some of the most accomplished educators in the country to create free virtual professional development experiences for teachers and administrators. Our courses emphasize topics that promote student-driven learning and higher-order thinking. As educators participate in these courses they are invited into the larger ‘canopy’ where they can connect and share ideas with other educators committed to their own development and creating dynamic experiences for young people.

More information on the courses we are offering for free can be found below.

How To Practice Restorative Justice

This course walks teachers and administrators through the history and principles of Restorative Justice before diving deep into the five stages of the process: preparation, facilitation, restoration, consultation, and evaluation. Throughout these lessons there is particular focus on how a Restorative Justice approach elevates the humanity of our students and helps us move beyond ‘positive or negative’ understanding of student behavior. As Maya Bennett says in the course, “Restorative Justice doesn’t reward or punish, it repairs.” Finally, case studies are used to illustrate the process in action and common challenges are addressed. This step-by-step guide will help you lay a solid foundation for bring Restorative Justice practices to your school or classroom.

How To Lead Spoken Word Writing Workshops

This course offers a step-by-step breakdown of how to lead spoken word writing workshops in your school or classroom. Spoken Word can create opportunities for students to develop a love of language while promoting critical thinking skills and providing an opportunity to process personal struggles and refine social-emotional coping mechanisms. The course is led by Chancelier ‘Xero’ Skidmore, former Individual World Poetry Slam Champion, TEDx speaker, and youth development professional with over 15 years experience. As Executive Director of Forward Arts he led a team of students who won the International Brave New Voices slam poetry competition.

Resist Your Instincts

The most effective teacher practices often require us to learn ‘unnatural’ behaviors. In this course, Carolyn Deyo pulls from research and over three decades of experience to describe specific strategies we can use to ‘resist our instincts’ and instead deliberately learn more effective behaviors. Relevant for veteran and novice teachers alike this course will inspire you to reflect on your presence in your classroom in new and powerful ways. Topics include: dealing with conflict, wait time, teacher talk, body language, and personal bias.