Courage to Teach

Courage To Teach® (CTT) is a program of quarterly retreats for the personal and professional renewal of public school educators. The program is especially designed for preK-12 educators—teachers, counselors, and administrators on whom our society depends for so much but for whom we provide so little. Courage to Teach focuses neither on "technique", nor on school reform, but rather on renewing the inner lives of professionals in education.

CTT was developed by Parker J. Palmer, Ph. D. and the Fetzer Institute in 1994. It is currently offered by Courage & Renewal facilitators around the country who have been prepared by the Center. Courage to Teach:

• renews heart, mind, and spirit through the exploration of the inner landscape of a teacher’s life
• reconnects to one’s identity and integrity—identifying and honoring gifts and strengths, and acknowledging limits
• creates a context for careful listening and deep connection that also honors diversity in person and profession
• helps educators create safe spaces and trusting relationships in their schools, with their students and colleagues, and within their communities
• explores the connection between attending to the inner life of educators and the renewal of public education

Each CTT group consists of twenty to thirty educators who gather for three-day quarterly retreats over a one or two-year period. In large-group, small-group, and solitary settings, "the heart of a teacher" is explored, making use of personal stories, reflections on classroom practice, and insights from poets, storytellers, and various wisdom traditions. Each retreat follows a seasonal theme, using the rich metaphors of the seasons as a way of exploring vocational and life questions.

Please visit our calendar to search for Courage to Teach retreats near you. 

Listen to a podcast entitled "What do we mean by "The Courage to Teach"?"