Loss Grief and Growth Education Project Introduction for Funeral Directors who will be teaching LGG

Developed with sponsorship from:

The story... “…had it not been for the hard work and dedication of teachers I never would have made it to college….” Yves Berthiaume

“We need to address the needs of kids” Tours of the funeral homes

“The most frequent question from teachers: “How do I support grieving students?”

Curriculum development With sponsorship OFSA & OBFS Teachers from across Ontario developed curriculum –“Written by teachers for teachers” –Linked materials directly to Ministry curriculum & Ontario report card

Current status 2009 FSAC assumed leadership Curriculum Services Canada (CSC) –“develop a resource for teachers not curriculum” June 2010 LGG is launched nationally

Loss Grief and Growth honors the relationship between students and teachers acknowledges that teachers are connected with students before, during and after the crisis is over, after “grief counsellors” have gone….

Loss Grief and Growth honours the role of Funeral Directors as citizens in their communities recognizes Funeral Directors as a integral members of the interprofessional team with expertise in grief and bereavement

Getting Started Contact your provincial association Get involved with the provincial Implementation Team Become familiar with the –LGG resource –Presentation for teachers –References

Preparing the ground

FSAC Contacted Ministers of Education – June 2010 Supporting provincial associations to help them implement project provincially Pilot projects to support learning for local and national implementation

Provincial Teams Approach School Boards Directors/Superintendents Principals Associations Based on unique characteristics in each province, may contact: –Teachers associations/federations –Private school associations –Curriculum departments both provincial and school boards

Provincial Teams Depending on the province, contact the following groups and consider posting information on the following websites PE and Health Education Association for PE teachers School Counsellors Association

Introduce educators to the LGG resource. Build relationships with your community educators. Make an appointment with a contact person at the school Funeral Directors

Funeral Directors cont’d… Print a couple of copies of LGG (Follow guidelines) Use meeting time to discuss the resource and Offer in-service presentations to schools in your community. Other ideas?

Teachers Custodial people Office staff Support staff Remember that the “school team” includes:

Types of Presentations School staff meeting - 15 minutes Inservice –After/before school hours Workshop - ½ - 1 day workshop –At the school –At the Funeral Home Professional Development Day –Contact the PD Day developers in the schools or in the area office

Cont’d… Follow up sessions –Plan yearly sessions Just in time sessions –Following death in the community Offer tours of the Funeral Home for –teachers –students –families

Tips for Teacher Presentations

Teachers appreciate: easily accessed resources which will help them teach their students conveniently scheduled workshops new knowledge for immediate use in the classroom

Clear rationale for learning new material. e.g. Why should I spend time in this workshop?

Efficient use of time during a workshop

the opportunity to voice their opinions

Sustenance is always appreciated!

Teachers also appreciate professionalism: Plan ahead Be organized Know your material Practice

When you are preparing choose the presenter thoughtfully –Presentation skills –Ability to connect with teachers –Comfort with the content may want to invite colleagues to attend

Materials for Teacher Presentation PPT for TEACHERS Computer or projector with cords Flip chart Poster paper Masking tape Markers for flip chart Markers for small group work – – at least 3 different colours per group

Materials continued… Copies of the LGG document A form for gathering the names and s of participants Name tags Business cards Kleenexes!

Loss Grief and Growth Education Resource Presentation guide for teachers Access from OFSA & FSAC website

How to access LGG resource

Accessing the document

Thank you!

A few thoughts….. about teaching….

Connect with self

Connect with teachers

Connect with their concerns

Connect with the work

Connect with each other

Connect content with practice

Connect content and make it simple

Connect with simplicity

Connect with teachers best predictor of what they will learn is what they already know

Our beliefs will influence how and what we teach My personal bias – fun

It has to be enjoyable in order to learn!”