THE CHICAGO BOTANIC GARDEN
Teacher Renewal Program

Program Overview
In this renewal program, the focus is on deepening the teacher's
integrity, peacefulness, and capacity for wonder, mystery, and community.

Teachers learn to lead more reflective and connected lives and to sustain life-giving attitudes toward other people. Making use of poetry, wisdom, literature, arts, media and reflection, — retreat content is organized around seasonal themes- helping teachers see that the teaching vocation offers opportunities for entering deeply into the cycle of renewal.

Reflection work is done in large-groups, small-groups and solitary settings. Teachers re-discover their own gifts and "inner teacher" and grow in ways that nurture their own spirit and capacity to listen constructively to themselves and others. The overnight structure allows opportunity for informal dialogue and interaction, and gives participants time to decompress, rest and focus.

Participants in the "Teacher Renewal Program" must commit themselves to faithful attendance at all four weekend retreats over a one-year period.

Facilitator:
Bliss Browne, President, Imagine Chicago

Location:
Chicago Botanic Garden with hotel accommodations provided nearby

Format:
Friday 4 PM-Sunday 1 PM every season

No. of participants:
24 teachers

Cost:
$400 paid by each participant, $400 paid by their school. Each participant will receive a $700 scholarship for the balance of tuition, room, board and retreat expenses.

"I have learned to find meaning and true purpose in my professional choices and actions. I've gained greater perspective in my role as a teacher. This has taught me to see my students in a different light. I experienced the joy of teaching once."

Current participant in the Teacher Renewal Program

Winter
Renewing the Heart of Education:
The Gift of Silence and Shared Lives

SPRING
Paradox and Possibility

SUMMER
Community and Abundance

Fall
We Teach Who We Are: Identity and Renewal

This program recently completed a second class cycle. We are hoping to be able to offer it again in the 2002-2003 school year if funding can be located. If you would be interested in being notified if a future class is offered, please send email to bliss@imaginechicago.org or Click Here to contact Bliss Browne.

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