Full program description
Be an Educator for the Greater Good
Discover practical ways to build kinder, happier schools where students and educators truly belong. Join the Greater Good Educators Community of Practice Program from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center! Each month, connect with a supportive community of educators exploring the science of individual and collective well-being in a virtual Community of Practice. You’ll gain research-based tools, fresh inspiration, and a renewed sense of connection—to yourself, your students, and your school.
What to Expect
Flexible Monthly Communities of Practice
Monthly online sessions on Zoom led by expert facilitators from the Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Sessions are offered multiple times throughout the month to fit your schedule.
Topics include: purpose (September), empathy (October), gratitude (November), self-compassion (February), kindness-compassion (March), and awe (April).
Supportive Community
Connect with like-minded educators from around the world who are working to build kinder, more inclusive schools.
“It’s amazing to go to the meetings and meet people… you just have this connection across the world. Everybody is seeing the same things you’re seeing and trying to do the things you’re doing… you can bring a problem to the group and they’ll listen and you’ll feel heard and feel safe.”—Jenna M., Learning Resource Teacher and Social-Emotional Team Lead, McHenry, IL
Classroom-Ready Tools
Access practical resources you can use right away for yourself, your colleagues, or your students.
“We all need a lot of inspiration or a lot of inspiration on different days. I always left with something to do differently. Inspiring!”—Sharri, Fifth Grade Teacher, Amherst, MA
Professional Development Credit
Earn up to 30 hours of professional development credit through this program!
After completing all three sessions in a monthly community of practice, you'll receive a Greater Good Educators badge with 5 hours of professional development credit from UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center.
Additionally, you can earn one unit of graduate-level credit after 15 hours of participation through the University of the Pacific via Courses4Teachers.
What 2024-2025 Greater Good Educators Say
In a survey of program participants, 100% of educators reported feeling a sense of belonging in the program, with 80% reporting an extreme sense of belonging.
“A life-changing experience for me. Each class has become an important learning experience about empathy, humility, and listening with my heart. Thank you for inspiring me, thank you for making me a part of your community.”
“I have been able to use these practices in both my personal and professional life allowing me to be a more grounded person and a better educator.”
“Gave me hope for humanity to be connected to people from across the globe who share in these practices and are doing good out in the world.”
“The benefit – personally, professionally, and what you’re going to take in for your own life and take away for your colleagues, your learners – whoever it is, it’s beyond measure. It’s a truly beautiful experience.”
Click here for an information packet about Greater Good Educators.