Ready to Transform Education?

Enroll now and embark on a journey to revolutionize your teaching approach. Join a community of like-minded educators and lead the change in educational environments.

Enroll Now

Explore Course Syllabus

6 Chapters · 65 Lessons

  1. 1

    Module 1: Foundations and Frameworks

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 1: Living Learning Labs as Trauma Informed Educational Ecosystems

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter_1_ Living_Learning_Labs_as _Trauma _Informed_ Educational_Ecosystems

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1, Lesson 1: Living Learning Labs as Trauma-Informed Educational Ecosystems

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 2: Steam Integration in Trauma Informed Educational Settings

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1, Lesson 2: STEAM Integration in Trauma-Informed Educational SettingsModule 1, Lesson 2 - Grounded in Biophilia and Equity

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 3 Project Based Learning in Trauma Responsive Educational Frameworks

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1, Lesson 3: Project-Based Learning in Trauma-Responsive Educational Frameworks

  2. 2

    Module 2 Planning and Planting for Growth

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 4 Integrating Horticulture and Gardening

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2,Lesson 4 – Preparing the Soil: Trauma-Informed Education in Practice

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 5 Building Trauma Informed Educational Ecosystems

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2, Lesson 5 – STEAM and Sustainability Integration

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Chapter 6 Overcoming Implementation Barriers

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2, Lesson 6 – Systems Thinking and Garden-Based Pedagogy

  3. 3

    Module 3 Cultivating Instructional Practices and Student Growth

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 Chapter 7 Evaluating and Sustaining

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3, Lesson 7 Evaluating and Sustaining Trauma-Informed Living Learning Labs

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 Chapter 8 Policy Implications and Broader Applications

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3, Lesson 8: Chapter 8 – Policy Implications and Broader Applications

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 Chapter 9 Designing Interdisciplinary Curriculum

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3, Lesson 9: Chapter 9 – Designing Interdisciplinary Curriculum for Living Learning Labs

  4. 4

    Module 4: Designing STEAM-Integrated Garden Spaces for Trauma Recovery and Regulation

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 Chapter 10: Designing STEAM Integrated Garden Spaces

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4, Lesson 10: Chapter 10 – Designing STEAM-Integrated Garden Spaces for Trauma Recovery and Regulation

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 Chapter 11: Case Studies in Living Learning Labs

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4, Lesson 11: Chapter 11 – Case Studies in Living Learning Lab Implementation

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 Chapter 12: Sustaining and Scaling Living Learning Labs

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4, Lesson 12: From Garden to District – Sustaining and Scaling Living Learning Labs

  5. 5

    Capstone Module: Level I Certification Submission

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Capstone: Lesson 1: Final Reflection Form

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Capstone: Lesson 2: Portfolio Submission for Certification

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Conclusion

  6. 6

    Module Resources and Templates

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 Resources and Templates

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 STEAM_PBL_Unit_Planner_Template.docx

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 Garden_Regulation_Protocol_Template.docx

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 TIC_Environmental_Design_Sketch.docx

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 SAMHSA_Principles_Reference_Chart.docx

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 STEAM_TIC_Project_Planning_Template.docx

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 Executive_Function_Scaffolds_Matrix.docx

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 1 Arts_Integrated_Lesson_Builder.docx

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 Resources and Templates

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 Garden_Ecosystem_Inquiry_Web

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 Systems_Thinking_Map

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 Cultural_Relevance_Design_Tool

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 Sustainability_Literacy_Framework

    14. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 STEAM_Sustainability_Matrix

    15. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 Sensory_Regulation_Tool

    16. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 Environment_Design_Planner

    17. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 2 Safety_Assessment_Rubric

    18. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 Performance_Task_Sheet

    19. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 UbD_Design_Planner

    20. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 Curriculum_Webbing_Template

    21. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 Advocacy_Memo_Guide

    22. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 Policy_Inventory_Template

    23. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 Policy_Influence_Map

    24. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 Sustainability_Planning_Template

    25. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 Feedback_Survey_Template

    26. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 3 Success_Indicators_Worksheet

    27. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 PDSA_Improvement_Template

    28. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 Scale_Up_Planning_Table

    29. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 Sustainability_Assessment_Rubric

    30. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 LLL_Project_Charter_Template

    31. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 Leadership_Planning_Worksheet

    32. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 Site_Readiness_Rubric

    33. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 Case_Analysis_Chart

    34. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 Environment_Wellness_Checklist

    35. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 STEAM_Mini_Unit_Planner

    36. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 Sensory_Zone_Layout_Planner

    37. (Included in full purchase)

      Module 4 Healing_Garden_Blueprint_Template

About the Course

From Garden to Growth is more than a professional development course—it’s a blueprint for transforming school gardens into Living Learning Labs that center healing, hands-on learning, and high-impact teaching strategies. Designed by Dr. Shawn A. Hearn—educator, attorney, and instructional designer—this course equips K–12 educators, school leaders, and CTAE professionals with the tools, templates, and frameworks needed to create trauma-informed, STEAM-aligned, project-based outdoor classrooms that grow both minds and communities. You’ll move through 10 expertly designed modules that walk you through everything from foundational concepts and garden planning, to curriculum integration, student agency, grant writing, and sustainable community partnerships. Whether you're starting with bare soil or an existing green space, From Garden to Growth will help you implement a replicable, standards-aligned model rooted in justice, science, and growth.  What Makes This Course Different? Aligned to CEU/PLU requirements (Georgia and beyond) Built by a practitioner-scholar with 20+ years in urban education Practical, downloadable tools you can use tomorrow Bonus access to a grant-writing toolkit and pitch decks Pathway to Living Learning Lab Educator certification (Level I)

About the Creator

I’ve spent more than two decades working in education—as a classroom teacher, school leader, legal advocate, and curriculum designer. My career has focused on helping students and schools in high-needs communities thrive through innovation, equity, and holistic learning models. From Garden to Growth was born from the real work happening in Savannah, Georgia, where I Co-sponsor a school based Garden and Art Club. What began as a modest garden initiative evolved into a full-fledged teaching and learning ecosystem. We built a homestead. We grew vegetables. We connected with the community. And over time, we created a framework that integrates trauma-informed care, environmental sustainability, STEAM, and student-centered inquiry—all rooted in the soil of public education. This course is the product of that journey. It includes the same tools, templates, and models I’ve used with my own students and staff. It’s structured not just as a standalone training, but as the foundation of a larger ecosystem: one that includes certification pathways, grant resources, curriculum guides, mobile learning applications, and a professional educator network committed to making education more just, sustainable, and engaging. I created this resource for educators who care deeply about students and want to do meaningful work, even within systems that often feel inflexible or under-resourced. From Garden to Growth is a model of what’s possible when we build learning environments that reflect the needs, cultures, and strengths of the young people we serve. If this resonates with you, I invite you to join me—not just in the course, but in the movement.