About Us
GroupWORKS for Education, Inc. is a not-for-profit (501c3) training and research center devoted to both the understanding of group dynamics in educational settings, and the training of school personnel as effective group leaders.
GroupWORKS seeks to provide the supervision and technical skills school staff need to work comfortably and effectively with all school based groups including classrooms, counseling groups, faculty groups, parent groups and many others.
The training consists of two models: The Co-Leadership model wherein a GroupWORKS facilitator works alongside a guidance counselor or teacher to provide direct service to students; and the Resilient Educators Support and Training (REST) model which brings teachers and counselors together for both experiential and didactic training in group leadership. GroupWORKS believes that the training of urban school educators and counselors is incomplete without an understanding of the theory and technique of group leadership.
Our Focus
• Investigate the group dynamics that unfold in school settings, and consider how they impact learning, motivation, and achievement, as well as peer and faculty/staff relationships.
• Educate administrators, teachers, counselors, social workers, psychologists and parents in methods of group leadership that help schoolchildren redirect the powerful and sometimes violent feelings that arise throughout their school day.
• Promote effective emotional communication in schools to help students become constructive members of their community.
• Reduce violence and destructive behavior.
• Increase student and teacher retention in public schools.
• Work with institutions of higher learning to develop and teach graduate courses for administrators, teachers, counselors, psychologists and social workers, focusing on group dynamics and group leadership.
• Conduct research and publish findings on group dynamics in school settings.
Since 2001 we have worked in 50 New York City public schools, serving an average of 840 students, and 300 teachers and guidance counselors a year. The faculty of GroupWORKS are certified mental health professionals and certified group psychotherapists trained in school-based modern group leadership techniques. We have conducted training in New York City for teachers and counselors city-wide and in Districts 1, 2, 4, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15, 32, 71 as well as in various hospitals and health care facilities around the tri-state area.
What Educators and Students Say About Us
“The work of my office, supervising the work of 190 schools, including guidance, substance abuse prevention/intervention services, attendance improvement and dropout prevention, student health, and school safety issues, would not have been nearly as effective without the work of GroupWORKS and their constant support, intervention, and wonderful availability.”
Director, New York City Department of Education, Regional Office of Youth Development.
“In September of 2006 I joined a group by the name of “The Group for Success”. At the beginning I thought I was just wasting my time. In the group there was me, 7 other students, my guidance counselor and a facilitator from GroupWORKS. In group we shared experiences, problems in school and talked about the future. The group led me to see that I have the potential and intelligence to become who ever I want and do what ever I want. This experience also helped me mature and evolve into an independent and focused young man. I also learned that school is a step in life that leads you to the world of success.”
From the College Application of a Potential High School Dropout from a School Under Regents Review.
“The Co-Leadership Project and the Educators’ First Project have increased the resiliency of hundreds of children and adults in the lower Manhattan schools. Counselors in our district who have participated in the Educators’ First Project have honed their group leadership skills and as resilience coaches have increased the number of students they serve through leading groups in their schools. We are grateful for the superior assistance GroupWORKS has provided and sincerely hope to have their continued work at our school.”
Principal, Lower Manhattan Elementary School.
“I would never have made it through my first year-GroupWORKS helped me understand and respond effectively to the group dynamics in my classroom. I have started year two with greater confidence.”