Professional Learning Services

Workshops and Resources

USC CANDLE engages with schools and school systems to translate science into practice, working closely with educators and leaders to strengthen the conditions in which adolescents thrive.

We recognize that teaching, like learning, is a social, emotional, and cultural enterprise and teachers require support, programming, and resources that can help them meet the challenges of the current educational climate.

We offer standalone and ongoing science-informed professional learning programming focused on educator wellness, as well as support to help educators and leaders create opportunities for transcendent thinking in their work. Sessions enrich educators’ understanding of the value of transcendent thinking and its long-term benefits.

For more information about working with USC CANDLE, contact Gretchen Livesey at Livesey@usc.edu.

Educator Professional Learning

For secondary educators and teaching teams

Teachers engage deeply in the research on adolescent development, then (re)design and implement a lesson, unit, or project based on what they have learned about the science.

Design Introduction

Half or full day experience

Educators leave with a shared understanding of adolescent development, along with concrete ideas and resources to try in their classroom.

Learn the science of adolescent development and the Transcendent Thinking framework
Analyze an upcoming lesson, unit, or project for where it already invites transcendent thinking, and where it could be strengthened
Plan for one developmentally-oriented improvement to try out

Design Workshop

Multiple sessions, across a semester

Educators leave with a shared understanding of adolescent development, redesigned learning plan, and a way to check how it is landing with students.

Learn the science of adolescent development and the Transcendent Thinking framework
(Re)design one aspect of an upcoming lesson, unit, or project to promote transcendent thinking, then try it out between sessions
Analyze teacher and student work for evidence of transcendent thinking to see what’s working

Design Residency

Multiple sessions, across a school year

Educators leave with a team fluent in designing for transcendent thinking and a year of evidence about its impact on students.

Learn the science of adolescent development and the Transcendent Thinking framework
Engage in repeated cycles of (re)design: prototyping, teaching, examining evidence, and shared learning with CANDLE support throughout

Multi-year Option

Any pathway can begin as a pilot with one team and expand across teams and schools in later years, with CANDLE support along the way.

Leadership Consulting

For school and district leaders

Teachers can only sustain this work when leaders create supportive space for it. This partnership offering helps leaders shape the structures, priorities, and culture that allow transcendent thinking to take root. Offered alongside any design pathway.

Ongoing thought partnership as you guide implementation with teachers, work through what gets in the way, and keep the vision in view.
Targeted guidance on the decisions in front of you, from scheduling and curriculum adoption to how you talk about learning with families.

View the Professional Learning Services PDF