TRAINING > Workshops

All workshops are held at Alternatives, Inc., 2021-B Cunningham Dr. #5, Hampton
(Behind the Riverdale Shopping Center, next to the YRC [Riverdale] theater)

Call Bernie Tennyson 757-838-2330 for workshop times.

Tobacco is NOT Just a Health Topic

Tobacco prevention efforts can be infused in other disciplines and satisfy more than just Health SOLs. Connect the SOLs you are responsible for (K-12) with the Best Practices in Substance Use Prevention. You will also receive suggested lesson plans designed to integrate tobacco information into traditionally non-health-related disciplines such as Math, Science, English, Social Studies, and Computer Technology. Come help fight the initiation of tobacco-use!

Asset-Building: What Every Child Needs to Succeed

The Developmental Asset movement is important for all caring adults, especially those who work with youth on a regular basis. You will be introduced to the Search Institute’s framework of the building blocks essential for the healthy development of children and youth. This information can even be helpful in parent/teacher conferences. Jump on the bandwagon and start building assets intentionally!

We Have to Stop Meeting Like This

Many adult sponsors of after school clubs or organizations find themselves leading most of the meetings even though they have youth officers. Participants will learn a simple, step-by-step approach to empowering youth to run effective meetings. Focus will be on setting an agenda, leading discussions, making decisions, and delegating responsibility.

Service Learning

Participants will learn to enhance what they teach by extending student learning beyond the classroom and into the community which allows students to see they have a meaningful role in today’s world. In this workshop, participants will learn the core elements that make up an effective service learning program. As an educational strategy, service learning is highly effective in helping students achieve learning objectives in any subject area. What a gift it is for youth to see the relevance in education.

Quick Guide for Effective Listening

An abbreviated version of “Do You Hear What I Hear?” If you only have a few hours to learn how to develop your communication skills, particularly with young people, this is the class for you. Do you ever feel like young people don’t hear you? Do they sometimes sound like they are speaking a foreign language? Come and explore some tried and true communication techniques vital to any situation that will improve your chances of hearing them and being heard yourself. Let’s listen!

Adultism: Barrier to Student Engagement

Many adults share common assumptions or stereotypes about youth. You will explore where these assumptions come from, and how they affect your relationship with young people. You will become aware of your conscious and unconscious biases about youth and the behaviors that result from those biases. You will also identify alternative caring behaviors to adultism. Come meet the challenge!

Classroom Management…

The Things They Never Told You in College
Do you ever feel like the everyday classroom issues get in the way of what you really signed up to do? When you go to college no one ever tells you that the hardest part of teaching wouldn't be the lesson plans, but the classroom management. Well, come join us to learn how you can better manage your classroom, freeing you up to do what you really wanted to do,,,teach! This workshop looks at classroom management as a whole process, mainly focusing on what teachers can do proactively to better manage the classroom, as well a small amount of time spent on ways to handle student misbehaviors. For the purpose of this workshop, Classroom Management refers to all of the things that teachers do to organize themselves, their space, and their students so that instruction in content and student learning can take place.

Awaken Your Creative Spirit

Learn creative techniques that foster your creative potential. It is the unique task of every teacher to nurture the creative gifts inherent in every young person. Discovering your own is another matter entirely. Cultivating your own creativity can result in personal insights and renewed professional energy. Through a highly experiential workshop with a variety of fun, interactive, expressive and creative media, you will explore and discover your own creative potential, resulting in promoting the creativity of your students.

Substance Use Prevention is NOT a Casual Business

As an educator, you can make a difference regarding the decisions young people make about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. This workshop will introduce you to the latest methods used to strengthen young people in their resistance to the drug culture. It covers such topics as drug facts, life skills, and positive self-image. Come meet the challenge!

Creating a Caring Classroom

Imagine a classroom that is safe, supportive and nurturing. Discover techniques that foster a classroom experience that respects each person’s uniqueness and also builds an environment conducive to learning. When caring relationships are present, learning is fun and productive – no matter what the Standard of Learning!