Educating for a Better World Summer Institute

Our world faces a host of pervasive and seemingly intractable problems, like poverty, environmental degradation, and human and animal suffering and exploitation. Many people are working toward positive solutions -- some in policy and politics, some through social services, and others through business and technology. But they have one important thing in common: They all started out as someone’s student.

As an educator, whether you are just beginning your professional journey or are a veteran, you know that as you help shape the future of so many, so, too, are you shaping the future of our society. 

If we're serious about preparing young people for their future, educators and schools everywhere must provide students with the knowledge, tools, and motivation required to create healthy, peaceful, and sustainable lives for themselves, other people, all species and the planet. Humane Education offers a way for us to do just that.

Humane Education is an approach to teaching and learning that addresses the global consequences of our lifestyles, behaviors, and the systems we support, and teaches students to:

• Seek accurate information about the complex issues of our time and how these issues affect people, animals and the environment.
• Develop reverence, respect, and a sense of responsibility for others and for the natural world.
• Cultivate the ability to think critically and creatively and to evaluate information intelligently and objectively.
• Gain the passion and tools to successfully solve problems.
• Use the power that they have to make a profound difference in the world through their individual choices, their work, and their activism.

“Phenomenal experience!  I am leaving here with several new friends, dozens of humane education lesson ideas/activities, clear visions of what humane role models look like, and lifelong memories of this Institute and its compassionate leaders. Meeting the instructors has been so inspirational and comforting! I also think of myself as relatively confident, but this week developed my confidence as a humane educator even more!”
~ Debra Freitag, Wisconsin middle school social studies teacher

Find out more about Summer Institute

Pre-requisites - Learning Outcomes - CEUs - Faculty - Logistics

Summer Institute Dates:

Tuition:  $585

Tuition includes course materials, lunches and snacks. Tuition does not include lodging, transportation or evening meals.

Group discounts available: register five or more people to receive a discount of $75 off per person. To register a group, email us or call (207) 667-1025.

Cancellation Policy:

Summer Institute Overview:

The Educating for a Better World Summer Institute invites you to explore your passion for education as a means of confronting pressing global challenges. Spend a week on the beautiful Maine coast learning to bring issues of social justice, environmental preservation, human rights and animal protection into your classrooms and communities in ways that vitalize your teaching and add even greater depth and relevancy to your curricula. You will develop new ideas and practice new skills with other committed educators who share your enthusiasm for inspiring young people to hope and action.

Who should attend?

New and experienced classroom teachers and educators with a calling to inspire their students to think critically and creatively about the world in which we all live, and all educators who want to explore and challenge the very purpose of education.

What will I learn?

Each day is designed to give you an opportunity for personal and professional inquiry into global ethical issues and the core tenets of education and teaching. You will learn about the interconnected issues of education, environmental preservation, animal protection, human rights and culture. You will be given the opportunity to examine the way your own education has shaped your experience as an educator and the role education plays in the health and future of our planet.

Are there any pre-requisites?

Prior to the Summer Institute, participants should read Most Good, Least Harm: A Simple Principle for a Better World and Meaningful Life by IHE President, Zoe Weil.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of Educating for a Better World, participants will have:

• Developed an understanding of the topics and elements of humane education.
• Explored the relevance of these topics across disciplines.
• Expanded their knowledge of existing connections between education, environmental ethics, animal protection, culture, consumerism & media, and human rights.
• Created relevant humane education presentations and received feedback. 
• Participated in discussions and articulated a position on the purpose of education and the educator’s role as a leader in society.
• Learned new ways of bringing humane education activities into the classroom.

back2top

Presentation Guidelines:

Each participant will be asked to lead a short original activity or lesson. Download (pdf) the presentation guidelines.

Continuing Education Credits:

You may earn a certificate of completion for 40 contact hours and four (4) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) through the University of Maine for participation in the course. To obtain CEUs from the University of Maine, you will pay $10 directly to the University after the week is completed. Teachers in other regions may be able to utilize these for continuing education requirements in their state/province. Applications for other state CEUs are in progress; please inquire.

back2top

Summer Institute Faculty:

Mary Pat Champeau is the Director of Education at IHE and has been a teacher for thirty years, beginning as a Peace Corps volunteer in Niger. Her experience includes teaching in community-based refugee and immigrant programs in NYC, as well as teaching creative writing at NYU, working as a teacher trainer in Southeast Asian refugee camps, and coordinating language and culture programs for the World Trade Institute.

Mary Pat has an M.A. from New York University. She is also the mother of two teenage children and an adopted pre-school age daughter from China.

Zoe Weil is the co-founder and president of IHE. She is a pioneer in the humane education movement and has been teaching humane education and training humane educators since 1987. In addition to creating IHE's graduate programs, speaking around the world, and leading workshops, Zoe has authored several books, including The Power and Promise of Humane Education, Above All, Be Kind, and Most Good, Least Harm.

Zoe received a Master's in Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School and a Master's in English Literature from the University of Pennsylvania. She is certified in Psychosynthesis counseling, a form of psychotherapy which relies upon the intrinsic power of each person's imagination to promote growth, creativity, health, and transformation.

Travel, Lodging, Food & Other Logistics:

Download (pdf) information regarding lodging, food, transportation and other logistics. For assistance with lodging or travel arrangements, email us or call (207) 667-1025.

back2top 

What Participants Have Said About Our Summer Institute:

See photos & testimonials from our 2010 Summer Institute.

"It rejuvenated me and was an excellent way to gain CEUs. (The) value was immeasurable. I gained friends and confidence and knowledge to share."
~ Andy Bryan, teacher in Maine

“Much more than I could have hoped for. I keep being amazed by the creativity, optimism, encouragement, challenge, mentorship, love, and different prisms that this team presents to all of us.  THANK YOU! I’m especially grateful for how much you let us teach each other.  You were such good models of teachers as learners and learners as teachers.” ~ Lynne

"I cannot think of a single way this could be improved."  ~ Garth

“I really appreciated the community building opportunity, the chance to connect with committed people working in complementary ways in so many different contexts and places.” ~ Ariane 


“I have learned and grown so very much and am so grateful for all of your leadership, diversity and creation of a safe, loving space. It is mind-blowing to look back at what I learned.” ~ Becky

"[The Summer Institute] was valuable professionally, emotionally, and spiritually. It exceeded my expectations and more than matched my hopes! It was informative, practical, challenging, magical, full, and fun! You all provided wonderful models of humane education in action and alive! THANK YOU for the gift of the week.” ~ Kurt 

"I felt safe and was able to do things without discomfort that I would have otherwise avoided. I feel empowered to begin teaching and sharing the gifts given to me.” ~ Chrissy

"It went far beyond my expectations or imagination.  It was such an AMAZING and AWESOME experience."  ~ Hope 

Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island (MDI):

IHE is just a 40 minute drive from Mount Desert Island, widely known as the home of Acadia National Park and the town of Bar Harbor. More than two million visitors each year come to Acadia to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads, or relax and enjoy the scenery. Before or after the Summer Institute, you might like to include some activities on MDI or in the Park in the evenings or as part of your stay, such as:

• Drive the 20-mile Park Loop Road for breathtaking views of ocean, mountains, and forests.
• Explore the park's scenic 45-mile carriage road system on by bike or on foot.
• Hike through forests and up mountains on 125 miles of historic hiking trails.
• Take a narrated boat cruise to learn about sea life, island history, and more. Other ranger-led walks, talks, hikes, and amphitheater programs are available daily.

Learn more about Acadia and MDI.

Image courtesy of vigour via Creative Commons.

back2top

email

print

del.icio.us