Why do we need to use a variety of teaching strategies when teaching sex education? Which ones work best, and why? What can go wrong, and what can we do about it? This training will help instructors answer all of these questions, and feel more competent in delivering engaging and interactive sex education.
Training Hub
The Sex Education Collaborative Training Hub lists trainings for sex educators, facilitators, and other professionals on best practices for sharing important information with clients and the public. From teaching anatomy inclusively to effectively addressing bias in the classroom to addressing racial justice and equity in sex education, the Training Hub includes trainings, technical assistance, and policy support from state, regional, and national leaders in the field of sex education.
Please note: The Training Hub includes both in-person and online professional trainings. If you see a training you are interested in and it isn’t listed as virtual, please reach out directly to any of our members to find out what's possible!
Trainings Offered by State-Based and National Organizations
Displaying results 111 - 115 of 154Teaching Strategies for Sex Education
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to build rapport with students. (S)
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the differences between positive vs. shaming approaches to teaching sex education.
- Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three effective strategies for practicing skills with students.
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain three reasons why it is important to respond to every question students ask when teaching sex education.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to effectively respond to three different types of challenging questions. (S)
SIECUS: Sex Ed for Social Change has provided trainings to thousands of individuals and nonprofit organizations across the country. SIECUS’ policy team is uniquely positioned to offer trainings for all types of policy activity and engagement at all levels of government–federal, state, and local. Our trainings our developed to enhance participant understanding of influencing public policy, learn what it takes to engage in effective advocacy, and strategically mobilize to advance sex education laws and policy.
Our trainings are designed for advocates, educators, policymakers, health care providers, parents, and youth to aid in efforts to advance sex education in every community across the country.
Trainings and workshops can be customized and combined depending on your organization’s or community’s specific needs and the intended audience.
After your training, you can follow up with any questions you may have as part of our free technical assistance program. Please email us at info@siecus.org.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe state and/or district laws, policies, and standards that relate to sex education where one teaches.
Virtual PD - Answering Difficult Questions
Virtual Professional Development is a simulated classroom where teachers can practice teaching student avatars using short scenarios and support from an instructional coach, so they can quickly learn and master the skills they most need to be effective. With upper elementary, middle and high school classrooms, Virtual PD has scenarios for teachers of all grade levels across a wide range of topics aligned with the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE). You can watch the video here to learn more about Virtual PD.
Using the Virtual Professional Development simulated classroom, the educator will practice Answering Difficult Questions about Sexuality with the student avatars. In this VPD scenario, the participant is teaching a group of five students about risk behaviors for transmission of STDs using three categories (High Risk, Low Risk and No Risk). Lots of questions arise as students try and determine which category certain behaviors fall into if one person has an STD. The educator will need to demonstrate the ability to effectively respond to three different types of challenging questions including students’ values-based questions. This scenario is available for high school, middle school and upper elementary students with varying questions depending on grade selected.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to effectively respond to three different types of challenging questions. (S)
Virtual PD - Trauma Informed Sex Education
Virtual Professional Development is a simulated classroom where teachers can practice teaching student avatars using short scenarios and support from an instructional coach, so they can quickly learn and master the skills they most need to be effective. With upper elementary, middle and high school classrooms, Virtual PD has scenarios for teachers of all grade levels across a wide range of topics aligned with the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE). You can watch the video here (link is external) to learn more about Virtual PD.
Using the Virtual Professional Development classroom simulator, the educator will practice implementing Trauma Informed Sex Education with the student avatars. In this scenario, the educator will introduce the topic of consent with five students. They will facilitate a myth vs fact activity by reading various statements aloud, allowing time for students to decide whether each statement is a myth or a fact. The participant will need to demonstrate three strategies of a trauma-informed approach to sex education and explain the differences between positive vs. shaming approaches when teaching.
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three elements of a trauma-informed approach to sex education.
What About the Boys?: Teaching About Sexuality Accurately and Effectively with Teen Boys
The vast majority of sexuality education curricula and programs are created with the needs of girls in mind. Even if we don't believe it ourselves, the saying “boys will be boys” pervades sexuality education programming. Girls are set up as the sexual gatekeepers and decision-makers. Boys are either set up to be feared or widely ignored. This training will provide the most up-to-date information available about how boys learn, how co-ed sexuality education programming has failed boys, and what educators can do to be sure to reach all students and workshop participants. This workshop can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your group, school or agency. All content is aligned with the National Sexuality Education Standards, the National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education, and the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education.
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to analyze and tailor lesson plans to match the age, developmental stages, cultural backgrounds, and other identities of students. (S)




