“In 25 years of continuing education, I have never been so moved.”

— P.B. Parent & Camp Director

Foundations 1:
Professional Learning in Whole-Child Education

Foundations-1: A Framework for Wise Education is the first training in our multi-tiered online program. Over nine weeks, this training provides a comprehensive understanding of the Framework and its applications for you and the young people you serve. You will:

  • Discover a new Framework category and its corresponding chakra center each week

  • Study and apply essential tools, strategies, and attitudes that support well-function in each category

  • Learn to mitigate specific challenges to learning and development (within the settings you serve)

  • Deepen your powers of self and student/child observation

Engaging reading and audiovisual assignments, meaningful partner work, and written reflections will help you fully integrate this impactful methodology. Our weekly Zoom calls bring opportunities to discuss your learning,  practice new skills, and deepen your experience with the fundamentals of the Framework approach.

This course is helpful and applicable to parents, educators, academic administrators, coaches, social workers, child-care providers, etc. Successful completion of Foundations-1 grants you Framework Trainee status. This certification enables you to attend our monthly Salons or enroll in our next level of training: Foundations-2: Applying A Framework for Wise Education.

Completing this training earns 50 professional development hours (5 CEUs). Creative Lives also partners with Antioch University and Southern New Hampshire University (for students in NH, VT, and MA) to offer graduate credits for an additional fee.

Testimonials

  • "Two days after teaching the Tadd Technique [to a boy I work with] he stopped by in the morning to share: ‘Ms. C., I don't think I need to see you today. I’m feeling good, and I know what to do to get my focus back.’ This was a first! These techniques are really helping my students! And they are helping me too, and not just at school.”

    — D. C., Elementary Educator

  • "I am a preschool teacher who has recently completed the Foundations 1 course. I have found it incredibly helpful in my work life as well as my personal life, especially as the parent of a strong-willed one-year-old. The first course gave me a toolkit for regulating emotions, staying positive amidst challenges, and maintaining a calm presence with young children. I am excited to gain further knowledge of Ellen’s Framework and look forward to deepening my practice. "

    —C. G. Preschool Teacher

  • “I have taken many courses and participated in many professional development experiences. This particular training has been perhaps the most fulfilling of them all - teaching me so much about myself while simultaneously enabling me to better support those around me to realize their potential in the classroom and outside of it. Theoretical and practical, this course helped me be more intentional and reflective in my parenting, in my work in education, and in all other aspects of my life.”

    —Katie Mannix, middle school educator

Course Details

  • Fall Foundations-1 Course

    Registration is now open.

    The Course opens on Friday, September 11th, 2026 with online access to our learning portal, Thinkific.

    Zoom instruction every Thursday for 9 weeks.

    First Zoom meeting on: Thursday, September 17th. Final zoom meeting on November 12th.

    Course ends November 18th, when all work will be due.

    An orientation video will be available when the course begins to help learners navigate our learning portal.

  • Within a typical course week, you will:

    • Read 1 chapter from Ellen Tadd’s book and short reading on applying this work for yourself. The chapters are not long.

    • Watch a short video (4-10 minutes average)

    • Respond to discussion prompts on the reading and video with brief (100 words or so) posts — and reply to posts of two fellow learners (50-100 words each).

    • Practice new strategies for yourself and begin observing students — applying strategies with them as you feel moved to do so.

    • Meet briefly (12-15 minutes) with your assigned learning partner to discuss your own patterns within the category of the week

    • Submit a reflection on what you notice as you practice and apply new skills. (150-200 words)

    • Attend the weekly Zoom class, where we will practice new skills together and dig into the material.

      There is a nice flow to this work: Read/share insights; attend class; practice and reflect!

  • Total Cost: $750

    Payment options:

    Early Bird Rate (available until one month before the course begins): $650

    Two installments: $375*

    Learners are eligible for 45 Professional Development Hours upon completion.

    For an additional $150 - One Unit of Graduate Credit is available through Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU).

    Employer purchase orders can be arranged upon request. While our tuition assistance is limited, we’re happy to share materials about Creative Lives and our training programs to support individuals or organizations seeking outside funding or grant support.

    * Not included with early bird rate.

Two Ways to Register

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    Enroll Today

    Click the button below to pay and enroll today. Early bird options and installment plans are available

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    Creative Lives

    Training for Adults in A Framework for Wise Education

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    Employer Subsidy

    Click the button below to learn more about having your employer subsidize your training.

    Employer Subsidies

Upcoming Course Dates

Interested in an upcoming training? Click below to receive a reminder when our next registration opens.

  • Winter Foundations-1 Course

    Registration Opens in November

    Dates and times (ET):
    January to March with zoom meetings 9 consecutive weeks on Monday evenings 630-8:00 pm (ET)

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