ABOUT SFK
ABOUT SFK
No, SFK is not religious. It is a secular social-emotional learning program. From the beginning, SFK has served all faiths and those who do not have a faith affiliation equally. Children from families that identify as Muslim, Christian, and Jewish, “Spiritual but Not Religious,” and atheist have all participated and had the same positive outcomes.
We are aware that the word “spirituality” means different things to different people. When some think of “spirituality,” it relates to ancient religious traditions rooted in faith. To others, it means secular meditation and a practice of mindfulness in day to day life. We honor and celebrate whatever it means to you currently! Nothing we offer in our lessons will conflict with anyone’s belief system on the full spectrum of orthodoxy to atheism.
What we refer to as “spirituality” is simply the part of the child that is not the body and the mind. The ineffable, beautiful, unique “spirit” (in SFK we call it “Light”) that is inside of every child. It is the deeper, purpose-and-compassion driven core of who they each are. We seek to educate and nourish this part.
A “social-emotional education” teaches social-emotional skills. These skills include the ability to manage emotions, see challenges as opportunities, successfully communicate, behave appropriately, and recognize how one’s actions impact those around them.
Every child is equally at risk in this complex and ever-changing world, and the SFK program was developed to serve them all equally. From affluent areas of Miami, NYC and London, to impoverished areas of Rio de Janeiro and rural villages in Africa – SFK has improved lives. It is considered best for kids between the ages of 6-12.
SFK courses can be done online, from anywhere with an adult, OR through physical classes taught by a Certified SFK Facilitator. To do the courses online, you sign up, you log in, and you start learning! To attend physical classes, you write to us to inquire about classes taught by Certified SFK Facilitators in your own vicinity.
RAND honored the SFK program for exemplary outcomes in categories including communication, learning and study skills, behavior and attention – among others. Read more.
SFK is a global non-profit that seeks to spread social-emotional education to every child, everywhere. In accordance with that mission, SFK charges those in communities (like the US) where the population can afford to pay and uses that revenue to subsidize the programs they offer for free in developing nations where children need to not only be offered the classes, but internet and laptops as well.
So far SFK has been taught in 22 countries and translated into 5 different languages. We have helped more than 67,000 children worldwide and are reaching out to more communities all the time.
SFK was founded in 2002 by a group of like-minded mothers, educators, and mental health professionals. They saw that some of the most critical life skills were being left out of traditional education and decided to do something about it.
From the very beginning SFK has been completely supported by an ever-expanding group of dedicated donors, ambassadors, and volunteers. Our global community of donors and ambassadors are the ones who have seen the program’s results first hand.
WHY GET CERTIFIED?
WHY GET CERTIFIED?
By participating in our certification course, you will gain leadership and communication skills to better help children develop empathy, grit, and confidence. You will have a proven curriculum, and insider tips on how to support the children through it in the optimal way. The skills you learn from SFK will be a boon in all parts of life, personal and professional.
Once you have been accepted, you will gain access to our online certification course. You can work through the modules at your own pace, and we will receive notification once you have finished the course and completed your final test.
First of all – cutting-edge educational best practices, a toolkit of leadership and communication skills, and lesson-by-lesson tips and guidelines. Additionally, one of the core aims of the training is to give you the opportunity to go through the SFK curriculum, just like a child, so you can do the work yourself before teaching it to others. To be able to walk the talk, you need to have internalized it first. Thus, we believe that part of being a good teacher is to be a student first.
Experience in teaching children is preferable. That being said, passion and good rapport with kids are key! So if the candidate has no prior experience but a great desire to teach SFK’s social-emotional learning skills, a passion for helping children thrive, and is able to demonstrate an affinity for working with them, then that’s more than sufficient. Our training program will walk you through everything you need to make you a confident and successful facilitator.
Once you’re a certified SFK Facilitator, you’ll be able to teach SFK’s Level One Course to large groups of children in your schools and communities.
When teaching your own kids, you already have a sense of familiarity and comfort. Teaching in a group setting to kids you may not know at all requires sensitivities and skills that differ from family settings – especially when it comes to the tougher topics. SFK-certified Facilitators are equipped with the necessary communication, collaboration, and listening skills to successfully teach the SFK concepts to any child in any setting.
We welcome teachers, coaches, professionals who work with kids and families, parents, and anyone who is passionate about teaching social-emotional learning skills to children.
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATION
ABOUT THE CERTIFICATION
SFK takes the safety of children seriously. Candidates must be 18 years or older and agree to submit a background check as a requirement for application approval.
Embedded in the actual training are journal exercises, self-reflection, quizzes, and tests that you need to pass in order to get certified.
There are 5 modules and 31 lessons in the training curriculum. Each lesson can take up to 20 minutes. Several of the lessons also include art projects, journaling, and forum discussions that will take additional time. The recommended amount of time for completion is 8 -12 weeks.
When you sign up for SFK Certification Training, you will be provided with videos lessons and several downloadable PDF workbooks. To complete the training, you will need a journal for responding to reflective questions as well as common household and craft supplies including pencils, paper, glue, markers, and scissors to complete the children’s activities. A full list of supplies is provided once you register for the training
Regular price: $2,499
Intro price: $1449
We also have payment plans available, a financing fee applies:
Upon sign-up $549
After 2 weeks $549
After 2 more weeks $549
Intro price: $1449
We also have payment plans available, a financing fee applies:
Upon sign-up $549
After 2 weeks $549
After 2 more weeks $549
If you are not satisfied with your purchase, we offer 30-day money-back refund on fees net of 10% processing fee. Request for refund must be sent to info@sfk.org Upon refund, access to the program will be deactivated and any work partially completed will be lost.
The course is accessible for 18 months from the initial date of registration.
AFTER THE CERTIFICATION TRAINING
AFTER THE CERTIFICATION TRAINING
Once you have completed the training, we will enter into an agreement that authorizes you to use the SFK name. We will provide marketing collaterals that describe SFK and its benefits, which you can customize to advertise your class. Before your class starts, be sure to order workbooks from the SFK store for all of your students!
You can teach SFK in any place that services children: schools, after-school programs, kids clubs, private classrooms, and more. You may also choose to teach in community centers, including libraries and places of worship. Or, if you have room, you may choose to host classes in your home.
No – you are free to teach when and where you are able. As long as you can provide the children with a good learning environment that works with their schedules, they will learn so much!
There are no price restrictions. All facilitators are free to charge as much or as little as they wish.
Your certification is valid for one year, renewable yearly thereafter for $150.
We offer special rates for multiple users: 10% off the second user,15% off the third to the fifth user, and 20% off more than 5 users provided they all register at the same time.
Yes, we have both. Refer a friend to the online certification and receive $100. Refer a child to Level 1 or 2 of the kids’ program and receive $20. When you teach the course to a whole classroom of children, each Lightbook (student handbook) will be discounted 20%.
Yes, as a certified SFK teacher, you have exclusive access to our quarterly webinar with Q&A. You will also have the chance to share your teacher success stories with other facilitators, donors, and supporters worldwide.
