Upcoming Online Training Series
These series will be hosted on ZOOM at the designated times. You may register to attend individual trainings or attend the entire series.
Parenting Series: Autumn and Winter 2021-2022The Fitzgerald Institute for Lifelong Learning
Empowering others to their path of wellness and a vibrant life
For over thirty-five years, Jeanine Fitzgerald has been dedicated to creating cutting edge solutions for those with the most complex of needs. Her approach extends beyond traditional methods, and upholds the principles and best practices of behavior support that emphasize building on a child’s [and their provider’s] strengths within a climate of respect and safety.
PARENT & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS
The Dance of Interaction
A Guide to Managing Children’s Challenging Behaviors
As a licensed, professional therapist, her purpose for writing this book was simple – to share some child development theory and many experiences that will empower you to become an unforgettable, positive influence in the life of every child you touch, even those whose behaviors you find disturbing, frustrating or challenging. The power of influence in the lives of others cannot be measured in dollars and cents. It is measured in love. The Dance of Interaction gives you creative solutions to handle the challenging behaviors of children.
Educating Today’s Students For Tomorrow’s World
This Ultimate Empowerment System (educational framework) applies dynamic educational, relationship and behavioral principles to make a difference in your work and personal life. Join us to discover, experience and apply the system that empowers students, teachers, parents, child care providers, specialists and administrators to achieve maximum outcomes.
Couse 1. Basic Studies
MODULE ONE: FRAMEWORKS MATTER!
Today, we are challenged to do more with less, adapt quickly to changing requirements and mandates, innovate on the fly, deal with extreme uncertainty, and somehow still find time for developing character and competence in our children. We believe you are capable of developing yourself as an educator or parent far more than tradition has presumed possible. This module inspires a shared vision for the future for the common good, and applies unity of purpose to the field of education. It searches for opportunities to innovate ways to adjust, grow, and improve, and identifies how demographics and technology are likely to influence the direction of education. This module explores ways to engage not only those who have always thrived within tradition, but also those who could thrive when provided the resources and approaches necessary to do so. There are no hopeless children; but many adults who have grown hopeless about the situation they are in with the child.
MODULE TWO: PROFILES MATTER!
We all live under the same sky, but we all have different horizons. We relate, learn and negotiate based on our unique horizon. Understanding styles, perspectives, preferences and needs empowers us to discover and explore possibilities, rather than manage misunderstanding or challenging behavior. This module leads professionals and parents toward understanding the layer of possibilities waiting to unfold, our layers and those of our children. We will examine research-based insights that uncover strengths and apply those insights to maximize our effectiveness and outcomes. All children are perfectly designed and we must work in ways that ensures that design is visible, valued and supported.
Course 2. Intermediate Studies
MODULE ONE: RELATIONSHIPS MATTER!
Adults and children are partners in the dance of interaction, but adults hold greater responsibility. From the point of conception until we leave this earth, we live an breathe relationships; some empowering, some disempowering, and all significant. Since relationships are the foundation to all effective teaching and parenting interventions, whether preventive or therapeutic, this module examines the impact of our influence and ways to enhance our partnerships with children, their parents or our colleagues. People first follow a person, then the plan. We must encourage and make their hearts sing so learning is a joyful experience and education a lifelong process!
MODULE TWO: ENVIRONMENTS MATTER!
The times, they are a ‘changin, according to Bob Dylan. In today’s environments, there will always be pockets of difference. However, throughout history, educational environments have ignored those differences despite the fact that variation in human behavior is not new or surprising. These environments have been designed to match the preferences of those who construct them, rather than those that spend their time learning and teaching in them. Influencing behavior is almost all of what teaching is about, and spaces influence behavior. The environment should act like a mirror in which students can, at any given time, see an accurate reflection of themselves, their school culture and their work. This implies there are significantly different requirements for that space. This module examines these requirements so that four elements function together to form an ecology-an everlasting web of connections that aim to accomplish the required outcomes.
Course 3. Advanced Studies
MODULE ONE: SKILLS MATTER!
Today, one of the best questions we can ask is “How can we engage the hearts, minds and bodies of our students in a passionate lifelong process that empowers the acquisition of wisdom?” Wisdom is concerned with long and short-term consequences for doing the next “right” thing. It yields a willingness to make short-term sacrifices for long-term gains. It makes the pursuit of ideals and long-term objectives possible. In short, wisdom requires a strong foundation in the “personal” intelligences and having mastery over our thoughts, impulses and actions. Then, and only then will our children be ready to become a society of interdependent individuals ready to enter a diverse world, with a global economy. So let’s get started…
MODULE TWO: DISCIPLINE MATTERS!
When students do not know how to read, we teach and give them opportunities to practice new skills. When they struggle with math calculations, we teach until mastery emerges. When students misbehave, we send them to the principal’s office, detention or home for a few days, withhold recess or field trips, or publicly reprimand. While there are many behaviors that challenge us and leave us feeling puzzled, helpless or angry, we must embrace the idea that there are no hopeless children. Their behavior is the symptom of an unsolved problem begging for resolution. So much like having difficulties with reading and math, when a student misbehaves, we must become his or her ally and move beyond tradition toward a comprehensive, positive approach to resolving their problem. This module places tools in your hands for achieving the outcomes required.
Book A Training With Jeanine K. Fitzgerald Today
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