Because great teachers don't just teach subjects. They see, encourage, and inspire children.
A hands-on learning experience at the ARK that uses miniature horses, donkeys, sheep, goats, and chickens to help teachers grow in compassion, build stronger classrooms, and discover practical strategies they can use right away.
Teaching With Heart Professional Development at the ARK provides educators, caregivers, and youth-serving professionals with practical tools for creating safe, compassionate, and engaging learning environments. Training opportunities can be customized for schools, churches, childcare programs, and community organizations and include topics such as:
Building Relationships Before Reaching the Child — Creating trust and connection with children and youth.
Understanding Behavior as Communication — Looking beyond challenging behavior to identify underlying needs.
Trauma-Informed Teaching — Understanding how trauma can affect learning, behavior, relationships, and emotional regulation.
Creating Safe & Welcoming Classrooms — Building environments where every child feels valued, respected, and included.
Social-Emotional Learning in Everyday Activities — Simple ways to teach emotional awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and problem-solving.
From Bystanders to Upstanders — Equipping children and adults to recognize bullying and respond with courage and compassion.
Positive Behavior Support — Moving beyond punishment toward teaching appropriate behaviors and building positive relationships.
De-escalation & Responding to Big Emotions — Practical strategies for helping children who are overwhelmed, angry, anxious, or struggling to regulate.
The Power of Choice — Using appropriate choices to build independence, responsibility, and cooperation.
Strength-Based Teaching — Recognizing and building upon the strengths, interests, and abilities each child brings.
Teaching Through Connection & Play — Using play, movement, animals, and hands-on experiences to strengthen learning and relationships.
Supporting Children Who Struggle With Transitions — Helping children successfully navigate changes in activities, people, and environments.
Building Resilience in Children — Practical ways adults can help children develop confidence, coping skills, perseverance, and hope.
Caring for the Caregiver — Preventing burnout and building healthy practices for educators and other adults who care for children.
Through Teaching With Heart, the ARK seeks to remind those who work with children that effective teaching begins with relationship. When children know they are safe, valued, heard, and loved, they are better prepared to learn, grow, and thrive.