Introduction to Working in Community-Based Educational Spaces Course

This course is designed to prepare young professionals (i.e., less than 5 years of experience in the field) for a career in community-based educational spaces with a foundation in education and social work. Community-based educational spaces (CBES) “are activities and programs operated outside of class time – whether in the school building during the school day or outside the building independent of the school day – that support the holistic health (e.g., emotional/mental, intellectual, physical, spiritual, social including social identities, vocational) of young people. Also, … include[d are] activities and programs led by community organizations that occur during the school day in the school building (e.g., a social-emotional skills group facilitated by a community organization during lunchtime) and those that are sponsored by schools but do not happen during class time (e.g., … group held in the library during study hall by the school librarian)… CBES [is] a broad term to include after school, before school, summer, art, weekend, youth activism, workforce, and mentoring programs, libraries, religious institutions, museums, scouts, and city departments.” (Woodberry-Shaw, 2024, p. 1).

Through engagement with materials and other participants, participants will have an understanding of CBES through an equity lens including holistic health framework, young people’s development, learning, safety, and relationships. Drawing on our collective knowledge, we will identify and strategize around tensions in CBES and reflect on and apply course concepts to current and future work.

There are four parts to the course:

Synchronous Meetings – Tuesdays and Thursdays in July, 4:00pm-6:00p ET, via Zoom (see below for specific dates)
Materials – Readings and Viewings (assigned between meetings)
Writing – Before (writing prompts on readings and viewings) and After (reflection)
Final Showcase – Presentation and E-Portfolio
Specific Dates and Times of Meetings

July 8, 2025
July 10, 2025
July 15, 2025
July 17, 2025
July 22, 2025
July 24, 2025
July 29, 2025
July 31, 2025
Course Cost: $1,000/participant

The first 4 participants to register by May 31, 2025 11:59p will receive a $150 discount.
We must have at least 4 people register for the course or it will be cancelled.

If you are interested in certifying more than one person from your organization please reach out to professionaldevelopment@eliecircle.com.

If you have any questions, please see the FAQs. If you cannot find the answer to your question, please email professionaldevelopment@eliecircle.com.