Course Registration
Course Registration
Course Registration
TESTIMONIALS
Knowing that these work. I’ve used many and know this to be true. I’m looking forward to using it mindfully.
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That you gave so so many examples of HOW we can start to transform.
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Practical examples of what to say and do to validate others & become more mindful of personal thoughts and biases.
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I learned strategies that I can incorporate immediately in my classroom.
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I appreciate your personal connection - I do know how hard that is for you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us, I think all staff in my school would benefit from this.
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Contact us for a 1-hour introduction seminar to the SILA Skills.
Comments from seminar participants at
NCTCA 2021
GETCA 2021
As a first-year principal in a new school, there is any number of daily interactions with staff, students and parents that influence the culture of the school. Over the years I have built a toolkit to support these interactions that drew from a large number of influences and have served me well. That said, SILA has done an excellent job of pulling together many of the skills that I have cultivated over the years and organized them into a cohesive and easily understandable package that offers a common vernacular to a staff. This commonality cannot be understated. Our "Superhero Powers" of mindfulness, basic assumptions and validation have found a home within the school and have provided positive outcomes in some of our most difficult personal interactions. I would recommend SILA training to any individual who works with people. Namely, all of us!
"I would recommend SILA training to any individual who works with people. Namely, all of us!"
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Justin Klassen
Principal - RMS
The positive takeaway of the workshop can overcome the barriers of language and culture. It is a powerful multitool in every teacher's belt.
The passion and wealth of knowledge that both of the facilitators brought to the session made the hours worthwhile (on the weekend morning).
There were quite some notable moments that sparked my interest and made me want to know more.
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"It is a powerful multitool in any teacher's toolbelt."
Jen-yi Wu
ESL Teacher
E was one of the most challenging students I have ever taught. He had suffered quite a bit of trauma from the time he was two years old, and here he was, a ten year old in my grade 5 classroom. He 'turtled' whenever he was challenged and math was one of his more difficult classes.
This event occurred during math class, specifically during a math test. I modified the test to lessen his anxiety, but he still struggled. I sat beside him and saw that his head was down and he was crying. I noticed that he had written something on his sheet. I asked to see what he had completed. When I read his 'work' I was heart-broken. He had written "Everyone would be better off if I had never been born."
Oh my goodness! My first response was to say, "That's not true!", but then my skills training kicked in and I remembered what I had learned in my workshop. Validate!!! I caught my breath, reflected on what he must be feeling and said, "That must be so hard to feel that way." He looked me in the eye and nodded. I gave him space and came back a few minutes later to him looking up and smiling. He had finished the test! Validation is amazing!!
K was a student who would shut down when faced with something he thought he couldn’t do. He would end up in tears at least once a week. Often times my solution was to ignore the behaviour until he was ‘calm’ again, and then make the same request that had caused him to cry, or I would get frustrated and have him leave the classroom. After taking some SILA training, K had another meltdown. This time, when he had calmed down, I thought about the skills I had learned in the SILA workshop. I was able to validate his feelings, and get him back on track without further damaging our relationship.
​This time, when he had calmed down, I thought about the skills I had learned.
Chantelle
Grade 5/6 Teacher
"My skills training kicked in and I remembered what I had learned in the workshop."
Kelly
Grade 5 Teacher
At the end of a long day with a room full of emotions, when I could see that my teammate's HALTSSS were off, I took a breath and helped a student put his lid back on over something that seemed a bit - ugh, whatever to anyone else - but I knew he needed some guidance. I validated his frustration and he was able to listen again. We came up with a workable solution and he and I and my teammate ended our day without chaos. I learned about HALTSSS and validation by watching my teammate after she shared what she learned about skills through the Transforming Classrooms workshop.
We came up with a workable solution and he and I and my teammate ended our day without chaos.
Sam EA