Creating an inclusive and affirming learning environment

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.

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.

In this training, participants will: 

In this training, participants will: 

As youth-serving professionals, we play a critical role in empowering young people by ensuring that they are equipped with the education, skills, support, agency, and resources needed to live healthy lives. To foster such empowerment, it is essential to create safe and inclusive environments for the diverse youth with whom we work.

The ability to provide services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer or questioning (LGBTQ+) youth begins with an understanding of the nature of gender and sexual orientation, correct terminology, basic knowledge of the “typical” experiences of the population, and an awareness of the increased risk factors experienced by these youth. In this workshop, participants will have an opportunity to explore this important content and identify strategies for providing welcoming and affirming services appropriate for LGBTQ+ youth.

Educators and others who work with youth often feel anxious about addressing sensitive issues—such as topics associated with strong personal values—in the classroom, whether they are part of a curriculum or surface in a general class discussion. Sexuality, alcohol and other drugs, politics, race, and bullying are just a few examples of issues that, if not handled sensitively, could result in alienated students or angry parents contacting the school or agency.

In this training, participants will become familiar with the Foundations model to implement high-quality sex education. Foundations aims to ensure that sex educators have the skills to effectively facilitate student learning, create safe and inclusive environments, and provide opportunities for skill-building and values exploration.

This training has an option of additional 1-2 days addressing cultural proficiency, LBGTQ inclusion, common learning strategies, and/or trauma-informed care.

In this training, participants will improve their skills in talking with adolescents about delicate topics and answering sensitive questions. By becoming an Askable Adult, participants will gain essential tools to support teens in making healthy decisions about relationships, love, and sex.

Cardea provides multi-day Training of the Trainer (TOT) workshops to support participants in the delivery of foundations training and curricula training designs. Training of Trainers (TOT) workshops build the capacity and skills needed to replicate our successful training designs.

Additional TOT training can be customized to support staff in effective facilitation skills, classroom management, parent engagement, and district-level technical assistance strategies.