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ESD Europe's levels' information
234ToT
Level 2

GOAL:  Level 2 Instructors are able to teach basic 1-3 hours ESD classes competently and to seek additional training to build their skills in teaching students who have experienced trauma and in ways to adapt their curricula to reflect the cultures and experiences of participants. 

Application for ESD Global Level 2:  Graduates work with their ESD mentor to complete and submit the following information:

  1. Engagement: Continue engagement with ESD mentor, Graduate Cohort, and/or other ESD graduates in their region. 

  2. Teaching hours: Fill up the Course Tracking Form, one form for each course / class up to 50 teaching hours. 

  3. Class Plan: A detailed class plan, written by the applicant, for a course or workshop of at least 2 hours in length. The class plan should include timing (How long is each session), contend and activities used to teach each idea or principles. examples of what is taught and how.

  4. Case studies: Three (written or videotaped) case studies of ESD basics classes. One relating to the same class that was described in the class plan. Each case studies should include:

    1. What worked well and why?

    2. What could be improved?

    3. Did the participants show progress over the length of the course?

    4. How did the class help you to grow as an ESD instructor?

  5. CV or Resume: Brief resume of community and professional background and training, please include a photo of you..

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Application Review Process:

Graduates work with their Mentors to complete and submit the following: 

  1. Applicant submits case studies and other materials to their assigned ESD mentor for review.

  2. Applicant and mentor meet to discuss materials and need for any changes.

  3. Submit a recommendation and the materials to the Certification Committee at anat@esdeurope.org

Application is reviewed by the Certification Committee. The mentor and applicant are notified if the materials are approved as submitted or if additional work will be required.

Level 3

GOAL:  Level 3 Instructors are able to show full competency in teaching multi-session ESD basics classes to at least one special population in their chosen area. 

Opportunities: Level 3 Instructors are eligible for consideration as:

  1. Level 1 assistant ESD Trainers: Level 3 graduates can apply to act as an assistant at a ESD Level 1 training. Over time they can gain the experience needed to become Lead Instructors with ESD Europe.

  2. Coach, Advisor, or Peer Mentor: Level 3 graduates interested in assisting newer graduates can work with their own ESD mentor to apply to support a new cohort of ESD Europe graduates. Peer support can act as preparation for becoming a full ESD mentor.

This support can take shape in the following ways:

  • Working one-on-one with a L1 graduate;

  • working with a small group of instructors, frontal or online, in order to hone a specific skill or ability;

  • recording a webinar or offering a zoom class focused on a specific subject or skill.

  • Those projects can be time-limited and will be counted towards Level 3.
     

Application for ESD Europe Level 3: 

1. Graduates work with their Mentors to complete and submit the following: 

2. Engagement: Continue engagement with ESD mentor, Graduate Cohort, and/or other ESD graduates in their region.

3. Teaching hours: Fill up the Course Tracking Form, one form for each course / class up to 50 teaching hours. (Coaching and mentoring hours should be send separately but can be deducted from the 50 hours) https://forms.gle/7Ee4rWEctbMJCcNM9

4. Training: Participation in 3-5 workshops (in person or online) on varying topics (some listed below) that enhance ESD teaching skills. Training may be provided by ESD organisations such as ESD Europe, ESD Global, The International association of ESD professionals, NWMAF , or any other reputable presenters for other related subjects. Multi-session training hours count towards the required 50 hours. 

Note: At least one training must focus on understanding trauma and working with survivors of trauma. Training must be provided by qualified instructors and attendance and content documented.

  • Teaching Survivors of Violence.

  • Racism, homophobia, gender bias, and other civil and human rights issues.

  • Working with Culturally Diverse Populations.

  • Teaching in the LGBTQIA+ Community.

  • Teaching people with Diverse Abilities.

  • The research base of ESD.

  • Business and Marketing.

  • Social entrepreneurship or Social Enterprise.

  • Anatomy and Physiology in the self defense teaching context.

  • Youth at high risk for violence.

  • Teaching Children, young adults, or older adults.

  • Sexual Harassment, Assault, Stalking, and Relationship Abuse.

  • Teaching Survivors of Sex Trafficking and/or Former Sex Workers.

  • Immigration and Refugee issues.

5. Case Studies: Three (written or videotaped) case studies of ESD classes with a focus on the group experience:​

  • Reflection on how students interacted as a group

  • How they responded to ESD material

  • Elements of the course that were most effective

  • Elements that were least effective. 

  • Any curriculum adjustments made in response to needs and concerns of students.

6. Videos: Submit video(s) of the applicant teaching ESD (Note: this may be one longer video or several short clips) showing the following:

  • Introducing a class including group agreements.

  • Running an awareness game (Think principle). 

  • Teaching a verbal skill (Yell Principle).

  • Teaching two physical skills.

  • Interactive discussion of Tell Principle

Note: if the videos are not in English, they should have English subtitles, voice over or a written explanation of what the video is about and what the instructor is saying about it. (Doesn’t have to be word by word)

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Application Review Process:

  1. Applicant submits case studies and other materials to their assigned ESD Coach or Mentor for review.

  2. Applicant and mentor meet to discuss materials and need for any changes.

  3. Submit a recommendation and the materials to the Certification Committee via anat@esdeurope.org

  4. Application is reviewed by the Certification Committee. The mentor and applicant are notified if the materials are approved as submitted or if additional work will be required.

Level 4

GOAL:  Level 4 Instructors are able to competently and comfortably teach ESD classes in varying circumstances to a range of diverse groups and speak confidently and accurately about the impacts of ESD in reducing violence.

Opportunities: Level 4 Instructors are eligible for consideration as lead instructors for a Level 1 Teacher-of-Teachers course, provided that they meet the following conditions:

  1. They have previously assisted in a Level 1 ToT

  2. They pair with a co-instructor, L4 or a senior instructor, to teach the ToT

  3. They use a curriculum approved by ESD Europe

  4. See complete list of ToT requirements here

 

Application for ESD Europe Level 4:

Graduates work with their mentor to complete and submit the following: 

1. Engagement: Continue engagement with ESD mentor, Graduate Cohort, and/or other ESD graduates in their region.

2. Teaching Hours: Document an additional 50 hours of teaching ESD on the Course Tracking Form, one form for each course/class: 
Additional hours counted toward Level 4: Peer Mentor hours, working one-on-one with a lower level instructor; working with a small group of instructors, frontal or online, in order to hone a specific skill or ability; recording a webinar or offering a zoom class focused on a specific subject or skill. Those projects can be time-limited and will be counted toward Level 4. (Mentoring hours should be sent separately but can be counted towards the 50 hours)
All these should be first approved by ESD Europe. If you are interested in doing this, please talk to Anat Errel. anat@esdeurope.org

3. Continuing Education:

  • Complete at least 20 hours of training and/or self-directed learning to broaden your expertise. Sources of learning may include: webinars, conferences, workshops, attendance at meetings/discussions, reading and learning around issues that are related to ESD or that impact a community. 

  • Training must be provided by qualified instructors.

  • Attendance and content must be documented on the Learning Review form  along with your summaries of the training completed and how the topics have been integrated into your ESD teaching.

  • At least one training must focus on understanding trauma and working with survivors of trauma. 

  • Here is a list of suggested topics:

    • Teaching Survivors of Violence.

    • Racism, homophobia, gender bias, and other civil and human rights issues.

    • Working with Culturally Diverse Populations.

    • Teaching in the LGBTQIA+Community.

    • Teaching people with Diverse Abilities.

    • The research base of ESD.

    • Business and Marketing.

    • Social entrepreneurship or Social Enterprise.

    • Anatomy and Physiology in the self defense teaching context.

    • Youth at high risk for violence.

    • Teaching Children, young adults, or older adults.

    • Sexual Harassment, Assault, Stalking, and Relationship Abuse.

    • Teaching Survivors of Sex Trafficking and/or Former Sex Workers.

    • Immigration and Refugee issues.

4. Submit 3 letters of recommendation from the following: 

  • A former ESD student 

  • A co-instructor 

  • A community partner organization 

  • Your ESD Europe Mentor (If applicable)

5. Optional Presentation: A topic of choice related to ESD to the Mentorship Coordinator and Certification Committee.
 

Application Review Process:
In case there is no current mentor, application should be sent directly to Anat anat@esdeurope.org

  1. Applicant submits requested materials to their mentor for review.

  2. Applicant and mentor meet to discuss materials and need for any changes.

  3. Applicant submit a recommendation and the materials to the Certification committee

  4. Application is reviewed by the Regional Certification Committee. The applicant is notified if the materials are approved as submitted or if additional work will be required..

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Maintaining Certification: To maintain certification with ESD Europe, instructors must:

  1. Maintain a high standard of ESD teaching practice including:

    • Ensuring training environments that are physically and emotionally safe, trauma sensitive and free from bias, harassment, and abuse.

    • Commitment to ethical practice of empowerment self defense.

    • Show a commitment to ongoing learning and development.

    • Keep in touch with a mentor or with peers to receive support and advice.

  2. ESD Europe Certification may be reviewed every 5 years.

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Certification can be revoked in cases where instructors are shown to act in ways which violate the mission, values, ethics, and policies of ESD Europe. including but not limited to:

  • Harassment, assault, or abuse of a student, co-trainer, partner, or community-member.

  • Fraudulent business practices

  • Teaching in a way that is dangerous to students’ emotional, mental, or physical health and well being

Teaching Training of Trainers

Guidelines for teaching a Level 1 teaching of teachers

 

Requirements

1. ToT can only be taught after achieving a Level 4 certificate from ESD Europe.

2. Receiving a L4 certificate does not automatically allow a person to teach a ToT. An instructor who wishes to teach a ToT must first:

  • Have experience with teaching full ESD courses (6 hours and above)

  • Assist in at least one Level 1 training

  • Consult with a mentor /senior instructor about the curriculum of her suggested ToT  

3. A ToT must be taught in pairs. 

  • The instructor should find a partner to teach with, preferably a more advanced or senior instructor with experience teaching ToT. 

  • If that is not possible, they must co-teach the ToT with a similar level instructor     ( L4) and make sure to work with a mentor who will follow every step of the preparations, approve of the curriculum and make sure they can deliver each and every activity in the course

4. If the instructor wants to give ESD Europe’s certificate to their students, they must seek ESD Europe’s approval of the curriculum as well as mentoring. 

5. Before teaching the ToT, the instructor must:

  •  Aim to attend an in-person training, such as an Advanced Learning Seminar, to go over their physical techniques and other aspects of the ESD methodology. 

  • Or: If they have local access to a mentor, they can meet in-person, instead of attending the seminar, with the approval of ESD Europe. 

  • If they cannot do either, they should set up an online meeting, along with their co-instructor, with ESD Europe’s mentoring coordinator. In this meeting they would discuss their plans for the ToT, show the physical techniques to the mentor and receive corrections and suggestions if needed. 

  • The mentor would give them recommendations for watching online materials, such as webinar’s recordings, online physical techniques classes recordings and more. 

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