The Science of Courage
Explore the science of courage with the education team at UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center. Together we will learn about the science of courage and how to cultivate more courage to navigate challenges, stand up for our beliefs, and promote positive change in our schools and clasrooms.
What gives you courage as an educator? Why be courageous now? Do you have an underlying intention, goal, or value that drives you forward? Are there any obstacles that might prevent you from being vulnerable in this situation? If so, what can you do to overcome these obstacles? Explore these questions with us in our free meeting and find research and resources to bring back to your community.
“Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be kind, true, merciful, generous, or honest.”
—Maya Angelou
Related Resources
Courage in Education: Facing Challenges with Strength, Determination, and Hope
Move at your own pace through a self-paced online course designed to inspire courageous action in you and your students—in classrooms, schools, and beyond.
A research-based practice to try yourself or with staff members. Watch a video clip about courage and vulnerability, reflect on situations at work that make them feel vulnerable, and consider how to courageously embrace their own vulnerabilities.
Strategies to Promote Courageous Dialogue
A research-based practice to try yourself or with staff members. Foster practical wisdom by identifying three goals, two for themselves and one for the school, based on the topic discussioned during a staff meeting.
A quick reflection tool to help when you feel defensive or threatened. Rank a list of values in order of importance to you and consider why your #1 value is so important to you.
Eight Inner Strengths for Leaders
A practice designed to help school leaders assess their leadership strengths individually (or together) and create a plan for developing these strengths or qualities (e.g., moral courage, humility, honesty, forgiveness, etc.).
Making Values-Informed Decisions
A reflective activity adapted for staff meetings so that colleagues can have bigger picture ethical discussions regarding school-based dilemmas, considering the perspectives of key stakeholders and community members.