Responsive Classroom Course to be Offered to Educators in 26 Locations this Summer

TURNERS FALLS, Mass., Feb. 3, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc. (NEFC), the developers of the research-based Responsive Classroom approach to teaching, will introduce a newly revised and updated entry level course for elementary educators in an unprecedented 26 locations this summer including London, England. Responsive Classroom professional development will also be provided at hundreds of on-site trainings in schools and districts across the country.

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The updated, four-day Responsive Classroom Course (which replaces Responsive Classroom I) is a practical, interactive, high-energy training that gives classroom and special area teachers everything needed to start using core Responsive Classroom teaching practices such as Morning Meeting, Interactive Modeling, Positive Teacher Language, Establishing Rules, Responding to Misbehavior, Academic Choice and more. An advanced-level offering that goes into greater depth with these and additional practices, Responsive Classroom II, will also be offered as a 4-day course at most locations this summer.

The use of Responsive Classroom practices has been shown to increase teacher effectiveness in three key and inter-related domains: engaging academics, effective management, and positive community.

"Teacher competence in these three domains means students can develop the academic, social, and emotional skills needed to achieve the rigorous learning called for by the Common Core," says Dr. Lora Hodges, NEFC executive director. All Responsive Classroom courses are taught by highly–trained and experienced elementary educators.

Teachers and administrators have consistently called Responsive Classroom training "the most relevant and best professional development experience" they've ever had. Below is a small sampling of comments about the updated Responsive Classroom Course:

"Tremendously powerful…This training will have a profound and positive influence on our school and its effectiveness for children." -- Dennis Dobe, Assistant Principal

"This was one of the best workshops I have ever done. I am excited to get back into my classroom and try these new ideas and strategies."-- Jessica Ortolf, grade 5 teacher

"As a principal, I am SO impressed with the content and presentation of this course!" --Kevin A. Michaud, Principal

"This is perhaps the most powerful workshop I have ever experienced in my 20+ years of teaching….This is the essence of true teaching." -- Veronica Martinez Bland, Literacy Coach

"This training has given me new energy for my classroom. I am leaving feeling excited and hopeful that I can make great changes in my instructional practices." -- Ashley Galicki, grade 2 teacher

Dr. Hodges sums up the power of Responsive Classroom this way: "Responsive Classroom is a proven source of high quality professional development, a way to build teachers' capacity to make the instructional shifts that will prepare students to fully participate and thrive in our ever-evolving society. If we want every child, every day, to learn the skills necessary to face the challenges of the 21st century, then we need to focus on the most important ingredient–good teaching. That's what the Responsive Classroom is all about."

To learn more about the Responsive Classroom approach and to find dates and locations of upcoming trainings, visit www.responsiveclassroom.org/workshops-institutes.

About Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc. and the Responsive Classroom® approach
The not-for-profit Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc. (NEFC) was established in 1981 by elementary school educators who envisioned a way of teaching that would bring together academic and social learning throughout the school day. That way of teaching, called the Responsive Classroom approach, is now being used in schools across the country. It has been recognized by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) as one of the most well-designed, evidence-based social and emotional learning programs. NEFC offers Responsive Classroom on-site consulting services to schools and districts; workshops and institutes for educators in locations around the country; and numerous books, videos, and other resources for teachers and administrators.

For more information, visit www.responsiveclassroom.org.

SOURCE Northeast Foundation for Children, Inc.