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MORE SYSTEMS THINKING FOR SUSTAINABILITY
IN THE CLASSROOM

Compass Education Level 1 Supplement Course

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About the Course

Who Can Participate

This course is designed for educators who have completed the 6-hour onsite or virtual Introduction to the Compass Tools: Systems Thinking for Sustainability in the Classroom workshop.

Course Fee

Product Price
Single Registration USD $179
School Cohort of 10 people USD $159/person

Note: Learn more about the Level 1 and Level 2 package here. Scholarships are available for public schools in developed countries and by application.

Facilitators

This course is facilitated by certified Compass Facilitators. Check out our team of Compass Facilitators here.

Other Info

  • This course is a six-hour self-directed course using independent and collaborative learning methods so it’s flexible for your schedule!
  • You will apply your learning to write and implement a learning plan in your work.
  • Includes a private 30 minute 1-1 meeting with a Compass Facilitator for feedback on your learning plan. 
  • Once completed, you will be a “Compass Practitioner”, our Level 1 Certification. This officially connects you with our network and qualities you for higher level training. 
  • You have up to 6 months to complete once you begin.
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Course Overview

You’ve already learned some ways to use the Sustainability Compass and the Systems Iceberg to support student learning. Now, how can you enhance your systems thinking toolkit and confidence?

This course is designed to take your systems thinking knowledge and resources to the next level! Enjoy six hours of self-paced learning in the form of videos, readings, active practice and reflection.  Not only will you feel empowered to integrate systems thinking into your teaching practice but you will receive one-to-one feedback on a live call with a Compass Facilitator. Plus, once you have done everything you need to do to apply for the certification, you will be a certified “Compass Practitioner” and be able to connect and collaborate with our growing movement of educators working to build a more sustainable world.

Learn with your team

  • Build a shared language in your community for sustainability
  • Create lesson/unit plans with a partner
  • Have a thought partner (in addition to your facilitator!)
  • Use the money you save towards future sustainability projects! 
If you are eager to guide students to discuss the roots of social/environmental issues and brainstorm for solutions--just like me, you'd find this course beneficial, as it provides an entry point to the world of system thinking and how sustainability is everywhere in modern education.
Carol L.
Carol L.American International School of Vietnam
As teachers, we are always looking for ways to help students to develop habits that would build a more sustainable world. The Systems thinking Toolbox provides a wide array of fun tools to allow students to get a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of systems and the concept of sustainability. This course is packed with informative videos and real lessons where you can see the tools in action. The mentors are extremely knowledgeable and respond promptly with valuable feedback. Most importantly, it is self-paced so you don’t have to worry about completing it when you are overwhelmed at work. After I read the students’ reflections, I was blown away by the depth of their understanding! I would highly recommend this course for anyone who cares about our Earth and wants to take action!
Sucharita J.
Sucharita J.Victoria Shanghai Academy

Learning Outcomes

What will you take away from this course?

• A practical understanding of sustainability and systems thinking 1-1 mentorship and feedback from your Compass facilitator
• Useful tools that can be integrated into any curriculum and every class level
• Access to our database of educator sourced lesson plans
• Receive a Compass Education Level 1 “Compass Practitioner” Certificate of Participation
• Become eligible for advanced learning opportunities and a pathway to becoming a Compass Facilitator

In this course, you will…

• Discuss the imperative for sustainability education in a global context.
• Identify sustainability dispositions and examine their compatibility with your personal educational philosophy and institutional values.
• Review uses of the Sustainability Compass and Systems Iceberg.
• Explore the educational uses of new systems thinking tools like Behavior Over Times graphs and Causal Loop Diagrams.
• Discover how sustainability habits of mind can be integrated into teaching and learning.
• Develop a unit/lesson plans to include sustainability perspectives and systems thinking tools in your classroom.

Who should participate?

Educators who have completed the 6-hour onsite or virtual “Introduction to the Compass Tools: Systems Thinking for Sustainability in the Classroom” workshop.

Time Expectations

We estimate that this course will engage you in about six hours of guided content and activities. In addition, you will schedule one 30 minute call with a Compass Facilitator to discuss a learning or action plan you will conduct.

Certifications

Qualify to apply for Compass Education Level 1 “Compass Practitioner” Certification which can lead towards certification as a Compass Trainer (if all requirements are complete).

Lesson Outlines

Lesson 1: Your Role in Building a More Sustainable World

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

  • Define holistic sustainability.
  • Reflect on your educational philosophy and how it connects to systems thinking.
  • Find leverage in existing school/organizational documentation to address sustainability.
  • Explain your role and opportunities as an educator in building a sustainable world.

Lesson 2: Consolidate Your Systems Thinking Toolbox

By the end of the lesson, you  will be able to:

  • Apply the Sustainability Compass to a commonly encountered situation.
  • Apply the Systems Iceberg to a commonly encountered situation.
  • Reflect on the value of using the Sustainability Compass and/or the Systems Iceberg to support teaching & learning.

Lesson 3: Expand Your Systems Thinking Toolbox

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

  • Define “systems thinking”.
  • Reflect on a trend of your choice using a Behavior Over Time Graph.
  • Create a causal loop diagram for an issue of your choosing.
  • Reflect on the value of using additional systems thinking tools to support teaching & learning.

Lesson 4: Create Your Learning Plan

By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:

  • Feel a sense of agency in educating for a sustainable world.
  • Create an action plan for how to use the Compass Tools in your classroom.
  • Meet with a Compass Education Facilitator to receive feedback on your draft learning plan.

Lesson 5: Become a Compass Practitioner

By the end of the lesson, you  will be able to:

  • Connect with Compass trained educators to collaborate and share resources
  • Submit your completed Action Plan for review to become a “Compass Practitioner”.

Facilitators

Gitanjali Paul

Education Program Manager, Compass Facilitator

Kath Lane

Compass Facilitator

Elaine Reimann

Compass Facilitator

Questions? We’d love to hear from you.

F.A.Q.

Yes! Compass Education offers several opportunities for larger numbers of participants in both virtual and in person formats. Please get in touch. 

You can expect to review the tools you learned during your Introduction to the Compass Tools: Systems Thinking for Sustainability in the Classroom workshop and feel comfortable using several new systems tools and integrating them in your classroom lessons. 

To become certified by Compass Education as a practitioner, you must complete all modules in the course and submit a lesson plan that uses at least one of the tools. Your lesson plan will be evaluated by our facilitators who will authorize your certification.

Yes, in most schools this course would qualify. Every school is different so please check with your school and reach out to our admin team if you have any questions. 

During the course you will meet with a Compass Facilitator for personalized support and feedback. In addition, you can reach out to the broader Compass Community with questions at at time via our private Facebook group.