Post submitted by Kimmie Fink, Welcoming Schools Consultant

This week, Welcoming Schools welcomes our second cohort to the National Facilitator Certification Training at HRC’s office in Washington, D.C. Over a course of four days, participants will be trained in the Welcoming Schools approach, including each of our outstanding professional development modules.

Leading the training are Program Director Johanna Eager, Deputy Director Cheryl Greene, and a team of Expert Trainers. Greene, a former Regional Consultant and Expert Trainer of five years herself, recently took on the role of Deputy Director. As an experienced educator, Nationally Certified Olweus Bullying Prevention Specialist, and Program Coordinator/Adjunct Professor for Hamline University’s Graduate Bullying Prevention Certificate Program, Greene brings both her expertise and passion to the position.

The cadre of individuals invited to participate in this year’s program form an impressive group. The 22 participants hail from 16 states plus Washington, D.C. Welcoming Schools also welcomes the first internationally-based facilitators from Mexico. All are fierce advocates for LGBTQ youth.

The second cadre of prospective facilitators will leave with all the tools they need to lead trainings in their community and beyond, as well as achieve certification. We’re so pleased to see the Welcoming Schools family grow as we work to create welcoming schools everywhere.

HRC's Welcoming Schools is the nation's premier program dedicated to creating respectful and supportive elementary schools in embracing family diversity, creating LGBTQ-inclusive schools, preventing bias-based bullying, creating gender-expansive schools, and supporting transgender and non-binary students.