The School-Connect Institute prepares participants to teach School-Connect lessons to their students and to provide staff training in their school or district. The Institute offers the following training options: Training Option #1 – Staff Training (1 day) Staff training directly prepares participants to present School-Connect lessons and fosters teacher confidence, enthusiasm, and commitment to program goals. The training provides an overview of curriculum concepts and strategies, practice in facilitating student-driven discussions and activities, and links to academic integration. Training Option #2 – Trainer Training (1.5 days) Trainer Training includes the one-day staff training and another half-day for participants to learn how to provide School-Connect training and implementation support in their school or district. Participants receive a Trainer’s Toolkit, which includes the Training PowerPoint presentation, a short informational PowerPoint presentation, a CD-ROM of training handouts, and guidance on implementation. It is highly recommended that school teams select this option.

Dates/Locations: University Center Chicago, IL June 22-23, 2010 The Center at Cathedral Plaza Los Angeles, CA August  5-6, 2010 Costs Staff Training (1 day) $195/person $175/person (Team Discount) TrainerTraining (1.5 days) $295/person $275/person (Team Discount) Take another $20 off if not receiving a Toolkit.

Additional Costs
Attendees should own the School-Connect: Modules 1-4 curriculum ($299 each, with a volume discount of $275 each for five or more) or purchase it when they register for training. Click here for a School-Connect Order Form for curriculum. If coming from out of town, plan on arranging lodging for the night preceding the Staff Training; if attending the Trainer Training, reserve a room for two nights.  See our list of recommended hotels within walking distance of each training site. Meals are provided during the training with the exception of lunch on the second day and dinners. 

Institute Facilitators
Kathy Beland, M.Ed., School-Connect lead author and executive director, will lead the Institute in Chicago and Julea Douglass, Ph.D., co-author and associate director, will lead the Institute in Los Angeles. Kathy and Julea bring the lessons to life with examples from classrooms, interactive activities, and engaging discussions. Click here for more information on Kathy and Julea’s background and experience.

Locations
Both training sites are centrally located and convenient to public transportation.

• University Center, located at 525 South State Street in downtown Chicago, is within The Loop, a short walk from Millennium Park and the Art Institute of Chicago, and surrounded by hotels and restaurants.
• The Center at Cathedral Plaza, located at 555 West Temple Street, is near downtown Los Angeles and easily accessible by the 110 or 101 freeway and Metro Redline.