Participatory learning for real people, real challenges, and real impact
TRAINING & WORKSHOPS
My approach is rooted in popular education, a tradition pioneered by Brazilian educator Paulo Freire, which recognizes that we are all both learners and teachers. We begin with the knowledge and experiences participants bring into the room, introduce new ideas and frameworks, and work toward a deeper understanding of the work we do and the systems we're trying to change.
Every session is designed around clear learning goals and a set of guiding questions. Learning is problem-based and rooted in the real experiences and challenges of your group.
My style is interactive and engaging. Sessions draw on a range of participatory strategies to create opportunities for learning, reflection, and skill-building, including: structured discussions, brainstorms, role plays, case studies, and simulation games.
My Approach
Who I Work With
Professionals
Professional development for nonprofit and public-sector staff who lead programs, provide services, engage communities, and assess impact.
Volunteers
Skills-based training for volunteers who support programs and services by working directly with clients and communities.
Youth & Young Adults
Workshops and learning experiences for young people in community programs, middle and high schools, and colleges and universities.
Grassroots & Community Groups
Training and facilitation for people organizing for change in their communities.
Tailored to Your Group
Adult, youth, and multi-generational audiences
Groups of all sizes
One-time and multi-session engagements
Customized to your group's learning goals
In-person in the Boston metro area and virtual (reach out to discuss in-person engagements outside this area)
Explore Topics
Positive Youth Development
Explore positive youth development, the research behind it, and how it promotes positive outcomes for young people. Learn how to apply PYD principles to create supportive environments that foster youth engagement, voice, and leadership.
Topics include: Positive Youth Development, Meaningful Youth Engagement, Youth-Adult Partnerships, Adultism
Youth Leadership Development
Help young people build the knowledge, skills, and confidence to lead, collaborate with others, and make a difference in the communities and beyond.
Topics Include: Leadership & Teamwork, Active Listening, Public Speaking, Community Building
Program Design & Evaluation
Learn how to design new programs and strengthen existing ones by grounding decisions in evidence and the needs and perspectives of the communities you serve. Define what success looks like, then work backward using tools like theories of change and logic models to align activities with outcomes.
Topics Include: Program Planning, Theory of Change, Logic Models, Community Needs, Public Health Frameworks
Relationship Building & Communication Skills
Develop practical skills for building trusting relationships, facilitating engaging learning experiences, and creating welcoming spaces where people can connect and build community.
Topics Include: Active Listening, Facilitation Skills, Interactive Workshop Design, Creating Safe & Brave Spaces, Community Agreements
LGBTQ+ Inclusion
Build understanding of LGBTQ+ identities and learn practical ways to create more inclusive and affirming programs and spaces.
Topics include: LGBTQ+ Identities, Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth, LGBTQ+ Youth Needs, Cultural Humility
Political Education
Connect everyday experiences and current issues to the larger systems, histories, and power structures that shape them. Learn how to organize with others to make a difference.
Topics Include: Power & Systems, Community Organizing, Civic Engagement, Advocacy, Storytelling for Social Change
Experiential Learning
Bring complex topics to life through immersive experiences that invite participants to investigate, create, collaborate, and reflect together, building deeper understanding through shared experience.
Build Your Ideal Community
A Collaborative Design Challenge
What would your ideal community, neighborhood, or organization look like? Starting with a blank slate and simple materials, groups work together to stretch their imaginations while exploring the values, systems, and choices that shape the communities we have and the ones we hope to create.
Community Asset Mapping Photo Project
What strengths already exist in your community? This multi-session photography project invites participants to explore their neighborhoods through a new lens, identifying community assets and resources that often go unnoticed. Participants document what they discover and reflect together on their observations, gaining a deeper understanding of place and the possibilities for positive change.
StarPower Simulation
A powerful simulation game that explores power, privilege, inequality, and the ways systems shape individual and group behavior. Guided reflection and discussion help participants connect the experience to broader questions of social stratification, oppression, the use and misuse of power, and strategies for creating social change. Originally developed by R. Garry Shirts, 1969.