Certified Practitioner program in Transformative Learning Communities.

This is a leadership program centered on paradigm shifting relationships for social change in education. We invite you as an integral heart-centered changemaker to be our co-generators in facilitate learning communities forward into the world as an obvious choice for learning for life.

Framework: Learning as a living system

This definition of TL allows for a map–a living system–of a series of three 3 month-long modules and a balance between self-inquiry and community dialogue; this is supported by your overall portfolio mentor (monthly/bi-weekly meetings), and regular group check-ins. You choose your overall mentor based on your area of interest, working in relationship to notice where are you coming from, where are you wanting to go…This emergent format is used as a scaffolding for each module–to emphasize the process, and to experience TL. In Western contexts, education as consumer commodity (termed third-person learning) tends to be the norm, focusing on objective pieces of external, static information needing to be absorbed by the learner.

All TLC programs acknowledge three perspectives of relationship: objectivity (third-person observations removed from self), subjectivity (first-person meditation and contemplation), intersubjectivity (for example, second-person dialogue). Starting with third person (where most of us are coming from) we move into first-person (self-authored) and second-person (generative collective wisdom). In this way, the Certified Transformative Learning Communities (TLC) Practitioner program integrates first-, second-, and third-person knowing, drawing from an inquiry-based process of wonder, explore, design, apply, within the collective.

Locations on the TLC map

Presencing/grounding: deep listening, communication, modalities, process of
dialoguing, unconditional regard (Brene Brown, NLP, Virginia Satir, Carl Rogers)
What is learning? Trust, optimal zone/safety, enthusiasm, “fanning a flame”, part of daily life, no end, strengths-based, Principles and praxis, emergence, process–Learning to learn: process of wonder, explore, design, apply
Relationality: Maturana–biology of love (Pille)–creating that space for emergence (Sam), Peter Block–systems literacy, intersubjectivity, generative collective wisdom
Theories of adult development: awakening, unfolding, evolution of consciousness/New story (Marshak, McIntosh, Eisentein…)
Learning as a living system: integrating first-, second-, and third-person knowing

Pre-certification phase: Exploring the map through modules

You choose your modules as you and your mentor explore the learning map. A minimum of four (three additional to Orientation) in the pre-certification phase before can move to joining the Certified Transformative Learning Communities (TLC) Practitioner community.

Orientation Module: All learners start here. You are introduced to our map: the inquiry- based process of wonder, explore, design, apply, within the collective of the Certified Practitioners community. This natural cycle of learning based on privileging embodied, emergent collective knowledge, what we call learning as a living system.
Workshop Module: Series of 3 workshops chosen by learner. Each workshop runs four weeks, in person via zoom. This module can be repeated.
Practicum Module: Joining one of our Certified Practitioners in a hands-on experience (e.g. one of our grads at their school). This module can be repeated.
Project Module: Interested in designing your own module? Choose your mentor, your learning goals and proposed outcomes. This module can be repeated.

Ongoing PD phase

Once you have completed your learning map experience, you join the Certified Transformative Learning Communities (TLC) Practitioner community. This includes monthly community circles, an annual Community Gathering at Whidbey Institute. You maintain your learning portfolio to continue exploring your growth edges and maintain your Certified Transformative Learning Communities (TLC) Practitioner status.

Program Resources

Portfolio Mentor: The Portfolio Mentor is an individual with lived experience in generating transformational learning communities; they provide learning support for students during their program. Learners are given a list of potential mentors before starting the program and requested to choose a first, second and third choice. This person is available to students for email and videoconferencing communication as needed, supporting students’ journey through the program and guiding students as they refine their portfolio.

Google Classroom Portal: Each workshop will have specific resources and materials, discussion boards, and additional resources.

Community Portal: The Community Portal site is a connection to the program and the larger self-renewing community of care.