Are you a PreK – 12 educator?
(e.g. classroom teacher, para-educator, counselor, and others who work directly with students)
Deepen your understanding of human complexity, how it shows up in your daily work with students and colleagues, the ways your own perspectives and experiences affect how you respond to complexity, and ways to ensure all students learn and thrive.
Number of Credits (optional): 3
Level: Graduate
Course Code: EDX 5710 S53
Dates: Oct 14, 2026 - Dec 02, 2026
Times: 4:30-6:30 pm on:
October 14, 21,28
November 4,11,18
December 2
Format: Remote Hybrid (fully online with some scheduled meeting times)
Remote Learning Technologies: Google Suite
Location: Virtual via Zoom or Google Meet
Instructor: Shelley Vermilya, Ed.D.
Course Cost to Student: Cost is set by Humanity in Practice
Course Description: Educators are tasked with differentiating teaching and learning based on who their students are, but as is the case for all humans, students are complex and ever- changing. No one can possibly understand all the complexities and nuances. How do educators attend to all that is expected, embody the ideals of SEL, EQS, Trauma Informed, UDL, Dis/ability Awareness, and be identity savvy? What strategies can meet those complexities, so all students thrive and learn? What do we need to know about our own worldviews in order to meet students and colleagues with the varied gifts, experiences and challenges they bring?
This course will offer structure and time to think expansively about all of this, and about what is needed to be well and courageous in the work we do and develop practical strategies that build on each participant’s existing practice. Participants will learn from assigned articles, talks, podcasts, documentaries, and book sections, which will contribute to and inspire class discussions. Each participant will leave the course with one or more practical tools and strategies to bring to their daily work with students.
Who is this course for?: PreK – 12 educators, e.g. classroom teachers, para-educators, counselors, and others who work directly with students.
Course Goals: Participants will deepen their understanding of human complexity, how it shows up in their daily work with students and colleagues, the ways their own perspectives and experiences affect how they respond to complexity, and ways to ensure all students learn and thrive.
Course Objectives: Consider and understand several ways of differentiating teaching and learning in the context of unknowable complexity, develop unique, personal and practical strategies for ensuring students can thrive and learn in the context of infinite ways of being human.
For the complete course syllabus, please click here.
If you would like to receive credit from VTSU for this course, you must also register via their website at https://vtsucenterforschools.forms-db.com/view.php?id=228720.