Let’s face it. These days educators are asked to do more and put more on their plates without anything ever being taken off. The pay can stink, the kids & parents can be a pain, and walking into the staff lounge feels like a toxic tornado of sadness. It’s no wonder that teachers often feel burnt out. Heck, it’s easy to feel negative, but that only rubs off on your students and your colleagues making the situation worse. In this course, teachers will actively participate in online learning to further develop their knowledge & understanding of Practical Optimism and how to utilize the strategies and practices cultivated by celebrated Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, Sue Varma, M.D. Through our studies as a class, teachers will be able to implement the strategies and methods of Practical Optimism in their professional practices as well as develop lesson elements and instructional strategies to support their students in practicing and building the skills of Practical Optimism in their classrooms. The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being are useful for all students, but can be especially helpful for ELD and CLD learners or struggling students. Activate your inner optimist today!

Required Text:

• Practical Optimism: The Art, Science, and Practice of Exceptional Well-Being by Sue Varma

Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

• Identify and Define the Eight Pillars of Practical Optimism.
• Explain and establish connections to the importance of utilizing optimism as an educator. 
• Develop strategies to meaningfully Apply the Pillars of Practical Optimism in their professional practices. 
• Develop strategies to meaningfully Instruct their Students how to Apply the Pillars of Practical Optimism to their professional practices. 
• Monitor and Assess their Own Progress toward cultivating Practical Optimism.