Nurturing resilience, connection, and growth for every child.

A science-backed approach to nurturing the social skills children need to thrive.

Earn Professional Development Hours on Your Schedule

Self-paced online courses built on the Mariposa Method โ€” practical, science-backed, and available whenever you are.

 

Courses That Count

Maryland

Approved for MSDE COK Credit Hours

State Approved
Reimbursement

MSDE Eligible โ€” Up to $400/year

Use state funds to cover your enrollment cost.

Washington DC

DC TAP / OSSE Approved

DC Approved
Audience

Designed for Educators of Children Under Age 8

Early childhood focus built into every lesson.

Learn at Your Own Pace.

Apply It Right Away.ย 

Professional development doesn't have to mean a full-day training or a set schedule. Mariposa Education's self-paced courses let you build real skills on your own time โ€” whether that's during a planning period, over the summer, or whenever you have a quiet moment.

Each course is rooted in the Mariposa Method, a brain-based, relationship-centered approach to social-emotional learning that helps educators build stronger connections with children and manage their own stress along the way.

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Explore our self paced courses

Course 1

Social-Emotional Learning That Actually Works

Instructors: Jenny Barrett, M.Ed. and Dr. Anne Townsend, Ph.D., M.A.

Tired of SEL trainings that don't translate to your classroom? This course helps you understand the why behind behavior and gives you practical, science-backed tools you can use right away.

  • A new lens on challenging behavior โ€” and how to prevent it
  • An approach to stay calm and connected during power struggles
  • Neutral, nonjudgmental language to build trust and reduce bias
  • Short, digestible mini-lessons at your own pace
  • Downloadable tip sheets and classroom-ready resources
  • Reflection prompts and opportunities for feedback

3 COK Credit Hours โ€” MSDE Course ID: ME-04082024-01

Maryland MSDE reimbursement eligible ยท DC TAP/OSSE Approved

Recommended for: Educators of children under age 8

Course 2

Reducing Stress and Building Trust: The Power of Empathy

Instructors: Jenny Barrett, M.Ed. and Dr. Anne Townsend, Ph.D., M.A.

Children thrive when they feel seen, heard, and understood. This course teaches you how to respond to children's emotions in meaningful ways โ€” not just in theory, but in daily practice.

  • How to recognize and respond to children's emotions with empathy
  • Why empathy builds resilience and supports emotional regulation
  • How to repair moments when empathy was missed or had to wait
  • Videos of real teacher-student interactions using the Mariposa Method
  • Interactive exercises with feedback to reinforce your learning
  • Downloadable tip sheets to use in your classroom right away

7 COK Credit Hours โ€” MSDE Course ID: ME-06262025-01

Maryland MSDE reimbursement eligible ยท DC TAP/OSSE Approved

Recommended for: Best taken after Course 1

Best Value

The Complete Mariposa Method Foundation

Two courses. Ten credit hours. One bundle.

Build a complete foundation โ€” from understanding behavior to responding with empathy in real time.


Social-Emotional Learning That Actually Works

Understand challenging behavior, stay calm under pressure, and get practical tools for your classroom.

3 COK Credit Hours

Reducing Stress and Building Trust: The Power of Empathy

Learn how to recognize and respond to children's emotions to build lasting trust and resilience.

7 COK Credit Hours
10 COK Credit Hours total โ€” Maryland MSDE reimbursement eligible  ยท  DC TAP/OSSE Approved

What Educators Say About Learning Empathy Through the Mariposa Method

Empathy is one of five core skills in the Mariposa Method โ€” these quotes come from educators who learned it as part of our full training program.

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I notice that now the children actually bring their concerns and problems straight to me. Tantrums have been at an all-time low for 80% of my class. I like that my students feel heard โ€” it's like I've gained their trust more.


Educator, 2026

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I realized I had been inadvertently judgmental, even when I thought I was being understanding. This course taught me how to properly show and use empathy โ€” not just feel it.


Educator, 2026

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I see things through the child's eyes first without judgment. The children are learning to trust me more and learning how to understand their own emotions.


Educator, 2024

Where Research Excellence Meets Classroom Expertise

Anne Townsend (M.A., Ph.D) is a social-emotional scientist and parent who has championed two decades of research to support our method.

Jenny Barrett (M.Ed.) is an early childhood educator, administrator, and parent whose three decades of classroom experience shapes our unique approach.

Meet our team

Positive Outcomes For Students; Less Stress For Teachers

Our SEL method has led to lower teacher stress, decreased challenging student behaviors, better attendance, and less conflict between parents and teachers.

Explore The Data

50% of adults reported feeling less stress

80% of adults reported improved adult-child relationships

66% of educators reported less teacher-student conflict

Ready to Get Started?

Build the skills to create a classroom where children โ€” and you โ€” can thrive. Earn your PD hours on your schedule, at your own pace.

Explore All Our Courses