Humane Education Teacher's mission is to advance and support Humane Education in New York schools, particularly instruction in the humane treatment and protection of animals mandated under section 809 of the Education Law. Humane Education cultivates empathy, compassion, responsibility and respect for animals as well as for people and the environment. Through the development of these values, Humane Education also provides instruction in civility, citizenship and character education mandated under the Project SAVE, Safe Schools Against Violence in Education Act, §801-a. Additionally, Humane Education develops critical thinking and questioning skills as students are challenged to explore alternative ways of thinking and acting.

Because stories are a powerful means of teaching values, creating empathy and inspiring compassionate action, Humane Education Teacher emphasizes literature. A literature-centered approach also fosters a love of reading. Humane Education Teacher provides classroom instruction as well as the resources necessary for humane educators and schools to initiate a literature-centered, research-based Humane Education program that will create a compassionate and peaceable school climate while creating readers, writers, and skilled youth advocates who are empowered to create a better world.

Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities

• Institute for Humane Education Sowing Seeds Online November 1-30, 2009
• Institute for Humane Education MOGO Online January 2-31, 2010

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