Course Descriptions

  • All courses are conducted over Zoom with LIVE instructors and REAL-TIME interactions with a cohort of new friends from around the world.
  • Content follows the constructivist and emergent curriculum philosophy -- i.e. digging in the mud.
  • Our courses are customized to meet the needs of individual participants. Each participants receives one-on-one consults as part of the scheduled sessions.

We believe to create community,

you must first experience community.  

Introduction to

Forest School 

3 LIVE ZOOM sessions

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. ET


For those who want to learn more about this global movement, the principles that define it, and the benefits it provides.

Upcoming Dates:  

  • January 20-22, 2025
  • Febrary 24-26
  • April 21-23
  • May 27-29
  • July 14-16
  • August 25-27

Session Content:

Session content will include live discussions, interactive presentations, and virtual forest school visits. Hosted by FSTI Founder Dr. Jean Lomino. 

Session Topics:

Foundational Principles and Key Features of Forest School                              

Benefits towards the Social, Emotional, Cognitive, Spiritual, and Physical Development of the Child

Naturalist Studies: Engaging with Nature through a Child’s Eyes

Prerequisites:

No prerequisites are required for this introductory level course. It is open to anyone. It serves as a prerequisite to all other Forest School Teacher Institute courses. 

Participant Receives: 

Introduction to Forest School Certificate upon completion of 4.5 hours of online work and an additional 1.5 hours of work offline. (Six TOTAL Hours)

Fee:  $95

Note: 10% discount for groups of 2 or more colleagues. Register for all three courses -- Intro, Teacher, Director -- at once and receive a $100 discount.

Questions?   Contact us at [email protected]

Click Here to Find Our Enrollment Form

Forest School

Teacher Training

10 LIVE ZOOM Weekday Sessions

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. ET


For those who want to deepen their  understanding of child development and hone their teaching skills in nature.

 Upcoming Dates:     

  • January 27-February 7, 2025
  • March 3-14
  • April 28-May 9
  • June 16-27
  • July 21-August 1

NOTE: Nightly online sessions happen on weeknights only. We do not have required meetings on Saturday or Sunday. The final session is a 30-minute, one-on-one consultation session scheduled with you at a time of your choosing at the end of the course. In-person events are held at specific sites and will take place over three consecutive days, including two evening sessions. 

Session Content:

Session content will include live discussions, interactive presentations, and virtual forest school visits.  

Session Topics:

Forest School Observation and Assessment Strategies 

Flow Learning in Forest School

Developing Rhythms, Rituals, and Mindfulness

Integrating Cultural Themes and Activities 

Naturalist Studies

Developing Emergent Learning Frameworks Preschool - 3rd Grade

Developing Emergent Learning Frameworks Grades 4 - 8

Lab: Nature Journaling 

Seminar: Course Synthesis Presentations

Prerequisite:

Introduction to Forest School 

Participant Receives: 

Forest School Teacher Certification upon completion of 14.5 hours of online course work and consultations. Additional course work offline includes reading assignments and course projects. (30 TOTAL hours) 

Fee: Only $595. Special rates apply for in-person trainings.

Note: 10% discount for groups of 2 or more colleagues. Register for all three courses -- Intro, Teacher, Director -- at once and receive a $100 discount! 

Questions?   Contact us at [email protected]

Click Here to Find Our Enrollment Form

Forest School

Director Training

10 LIVE ZOOM sessions

6:00 - 7:30 p.m. ET


For those who serve or plan to serve as school leaders, heads of schools, school founders, and/or curriculum directors.

Upcoming Dates:   

  • January 6-17, 2025 
  • February 10-21
  • April 7-18
  • May 12-23
  • June 30-July 11
  • August 11-22

NOTE: Nightly sessions happen on weeknights only. We do not have required meetings on Saturday or Sunday. The final session is a 30-minute, one-on-one consultation session scheduled with you at a time of your choosing at the end of the course. 

Session Content:

Session content will include live discussions, interactive presentations, and virtual forest school visits.  

Session Topics:

Site Development and Assessment I

Site Development and Assessment II

Developing Forest School Culture and Identity

Staff Development and Budget

Marketing

Building Community Partnerships

Providing for Children with Special Learning Rights

Course Synthesis: Proposal Presentations

Seminar: Global Forest School Movement

Prerequisites:

Introduction to Forest School

Teaching in a Forest School 

Participant Receives: 

Forest School Director Certification upon completion of 14.5 hours of online course work and consultations. Additional course work offline includes reading assignments and course projects. (30 TOTAL hours) 

Fee: Only $695. Special rates apply for in-person trainings.

Note: 10% discount for groups of 2 or more colleagues. Register for all three courses -- Intro, Teacher, Director -- at once and receive a $100 discount.

Questions?   Contact us at [email protected]

Click Here to Find Our Enrollment Form

 

Forest School Teacher Institute's Online Training Registration Form

Please understand the enrollment process is a 2-Step Process.

Clicking Submit at the bottom of this form is Step 1. Step 2 will be payment. You will receive confirmation after your application and payment is received.