Grief Trainings

For Educators

Fundamentals of Grief for Educators: Helping Individuals Navigate Their Grief Journey

A 10 hour In-Person Professional Development workshop for Educators

Next Date TBA

Workshop cost with 10 PDPs: $175 (educators only)

Workshop facilitated by Maureen Walsh, NP, FT and Alice Kearney, LMH

Registration deadline 02/06/23. Cancellations made before 02/03/23 will be fully refunded.
No refunds after 02/03/23. Workshop requires at least 8 participants. Certificates of completion will be mailed to participants after fully attending all ten hours of this workshop and evaluations will be completed in person immediately following the workshop.

Every person will experience grief and loss – a normal yet profound sense of final separation from something or someone important. While there are similarities in how individuals work through and experience loss, grief is a complicated and truly unique experience that requires helpers to be sensitive to the needs and experiences of those they are supporting. This in-person workshop is designed to give educators an increased awareness of the dynamics of grief, and to provide tools and strategies to best support grieving students and their families.

Course Overview
Through presentation, case study exercises, personal reflection, and group discussion, this workshop will cover Disenfranchised Grief, Grief Theories, Chaos of Grief, Children & Grief, Grief vs. Major Depressive Disorder, What Grievers Need, Grief Over Time, Tools and Strategies and more.

 

Training Schedule

Day 1:
8:45-9:00: Registration
9:00-11:15: Understanding Grief for Teachers
11:15-11:30 Break
11:30-2:00: Learning Assessment and Activities

Day 2:
8:45-9:00: Welcome and check-in
9:00-11:15: Helping Grieving Students
11:15-11:30 Break
11:30-12:30 Self Care
12:30-1:15 Resources
1:15-1:45 Post Workshop Assessment
1:45-2:00: Evaluations and Certificates

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training you should be able to:

  • Explain the characteristics of grief
  • Define the difference between grief and mourning
  • Define the differences between grief theories
  • Recognize signs of grief in children of all ages
  • Identify tools for creating a grief-sensitive classroom
  • Describe the current concepts of aiding a child through grief
  • Recognize when outside help is needed

Maureen F. Walsh is a psychiatric nurse practitioner, grief therapist and educator. Maureen is certified as a Fellow in Thanatology by the Association for Death, Education and Counseling (ADEC). While working as a school nurse/health teacher Maureen started the school bereavement program and coordinated it for 14 years. She developed Lessons of Life and Loss, a grade 1-8 school bereavement program, which she has presented to faculties of various schools on the South Shore. Maureen began her own grief practice, Grief Weavers LLC in 2007 in which she sees private patients and speaks at schools and community organizations about grief issues. In 2017, Maureen moved Grief Weavers to Hope Floats Healing and Wellness Center where she continues her private practice as well as facilitates the Sibling Loss Support Group, assists in Mike’s Club and is part of the H.E.A.R.T program. (Hope Floats Education and Awareness Response Team).

Alice Kearney has over 25 years of experience as a licensed mental health counselor and registered art therapist. In 2007, Alice opened her own private practice. In 2013 she began leading Mike’s Club children’s groups at Hope Floats Healing & Wellness Center. Today, Alice is thrilled to move her positive, creative and strength-based counseling services to Hope Floats and be apart of the Hope Floats team full time

Our goal is to raise awareness about grief through education and community outreach. This encompasses trainings, workshops and presentations for professionals, educators, and members of the community. This intermediate level training is intended for educators as a means to provide tools, strategies and knowledge needed to ensure a grief-sensitive learning environment.

Hope Floats Healing & Wellness Center has been approved with the following Content area: Safe & Supportive Learning Environments by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Professional Development Points will be awarded to educators upon full completion of this 10 hour program, an assessment of learning, and demonstration of mastery on behalf of the participant.

Hope Floats is handicapped accessible. Please contact us at 781-585-4221 for further accommodation needs.

Hope Floats Healing & Wellness Center is a bereavement and educational center for adults, teens, children and their families who are grieving, dealing with illness, or facing other life challenges. Our free support services bring hope and healing to those in need. 4 Elm Street, Kingston, MA 02364