Matrix Goes To School

Getting Psychological Flexibility and Creative Problem Solving Going in the Classroom with the ACT Matrix

Educators spend a lot of time in classrooms dealing with problems. High on the list of issues are engaging and motivating students, managing challenging behaviors, curriculum demands, and administrative pressures. These issues can be ongoing and lead to a lot of struggling and wheel spinning.

Effective problem solving entails both the art of influencing and the application of well defined scientific principles. This course is designed for the everyday educator working to make a difference. It will help you reduce the struggle, get more done and be more effective. It will also help you assist your learners in doing the same. The Matrix helps to promote psychological flexibility , which leads to resilience, persistence and growth in the face of obstacles and difficulties. The Matrix promotes the development of "noticing what works" to get teachers and learners on the same page and moving toward effective learning. Everyone feels empowered to make healthy choices and work together.

The bottom line is that promoting psychological flexibility in schools and classrooms leads to less struggling with what doesn’t work and more effective instruction and intervention. Students use the Matrix to develop the self-monitoring and self-regulation skills needed for success in school and life

The ACT Matrix will be presented as an engaging, research based tool designed to enhance psychological flexibility that quickly “loosens us up” educators and learners for collaborative, creative problem solving with both individuals and groups. Students learn to work “with” teachers and are more engaged, increasing time for learning and discovery. The matrix process is the quickest way to involve learners in a process of acquiring the skills for self-directed learning and growth.

This experiential course will focus on enhancing creativity and flexibility in approaching the challenges of our day to day involvements with learners and other issues. It is based on the evidenced-based practice of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Training (ACT). ACT focuses on increasing valued, vital living while decreasing the struggle with problems and suffering. In ACT, individuals and groups learn through experience what works to be effective an achieve their goals.

The Matrix is being used successfully in many school and educational settings. Teachers using it report less disruptions and greater cooperation from students. They also report a lessening of their own stress!

Course Objectives:

Set a powerful context to engage learners.

Practice using the matrix process to overcome resistance and improve cooperation.

Use the Matrix for individual and group learning throughout your day.

Apply matrix interventions to promote prosocial and emotional learning.

Leave the course with a functional tool that you can use immediately.

Enhance your own psychological flexibility and creativity and reduce your stress!