Reflective Dialogue Professional Development

Empathy and awareness through embodied teaching and learning

Overview


Plan for your next staff development day to be filled with engaging discussion, and much needed opportunities to slow down and reflect, to exchange wisdom amongst the team, and to identify new strategies for supporting children’s success in school through the relationships we build with them, with their parents or caregivers, and as an early learning team.

Reflective Dialogue is a research-based approach for reflective thinking and problem solving that may be used with groups and individuals. Educators find Reflective Dialogue methods to be useful in their own work, and they appreciate participating in professional development that is facilitated from a Reflective Dialogue approach. Several options are available for your team, depending on your preference.

Workshops:

Reflective Problem Solving with the Hourglass Method

The Hourglass Method of Reflective Problem Solving will give your team a structured process for asking reflective questions that they can use before jumping to suggestions and strategies, so that they can help people pause and reflect, take ownership over their own insights and actions, and develop their capacity for reflective problem solving, self-awareness, and perspective-taking. This method may be used with parents, children, and as a teaching team. 

It may be used with: 

  • Parents, to help them gain clarity and get unstuck, 

  • Children, to support their social-emotional development and executive functioning skills, 

  • Teams, to process a challenge where multiple perspectives may be held.

Participants will learn how to use and adapt The Hourglass Method for their specific communication with parents, children, and school professionals. 

Customize your training to focus on one, two, or all three applications of the Hourglass Method. 

Addressing Implicit Racial Bias through Reflective Dialogue

Reflective Dialogue offers a unique format for tuning into unconscious, implicit bias, which may be impacting our work with families. In this session, we leverage the power of video centering race and lived experience, paired with a reflective dialogue of facilitated, non-directive questioning, to collaboratively engage and promote opportunities for honoring multiple perspectives, expanding our thinking, challenging our assumptions, and truly changing the ways we relate to each other. This is an embodied learning session that promotes reflective thinking rather than a technical training on how to use the Reflective Dialogue approach.

This training aligns with most Cultural Competency teacher licensure or credentialing requirements.

All sessions are designed for professionals and paraprofessionals who work with children, parents, and caregivers.

Sessions may be adapted for different audiences and contexts, such as teams or groups within companies, non-profits, healthcare settings, faith-based communities, or community groups.

Audience:

Feedback:

Here is what participants say about Reflective Dialogue Professional Development: 

“This strategy is going to transform the way I relate and work with my families."

"It gave me a new lens and confidence to talk with parents about challenges they may face with their children."

"I appreciate the focus on the parent’s perspective and experience. This is an important piece in partnering with families!"

"Heather was very knowledgeable on this topic. Very approachable and gave great feedback when asked questions." 

Here is what administrators say about Reflective Dialogue Professional Development:

“I knew it would be good – informative, professional, etc., but the level of discussion was beyond my expectations.”

– Executive Director,
professional organization 

“The thing I love about your approach is that it takes all the principles of reflective practice, and operationalizes them in a way that is usable; it gives concrete approaches, which is oftentimes missing in RP work.” 

– Professional development coordinator,
higher education institution

“You are amazing. I'd love to hire you each week. We adored what you did. The day flew by.” 

– Supervisor,
large public school early childhood
family education program

Schedule and Rate:

Would you like to learn more about how I can support your team, program, or organization? 

Professional Development sessions are available in-person or online, and can be designed to support your unique team and their specialized work. 

Fill out the form below so I can learn more about your interest. 

I'll respond within 48 hours with more details on how Reflective Dialogue could meet your specific goals. 

I look forward to connecting with you!

- Heather