The Responsible Sex Education Institute at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains offers a variety of technical assistance, including support services like monthly webinars and blogs, and office hours. We can help schools/organizations select, customize, and/or develop a comprehensive sex education curriculum aligned with state standards and with an eye on best practices.
Training Hub
The Sex Education Collaborative Training Hub lists trainings for sex educators, facilitators, and other professionals on best practices for sharing important information with clients and the public. From teaching anatomy inclusively to effectively addressing bias in the classroom to addressing racial justice and equity in sex education, the Training Hub includes trainings, technical assistance, and policy support from state, regional, and national leaders in the field of sex education.
Please note: The Training Hub includes both in-person and online professional trainings. If you see a training you are interested in and it isn’t listed as virtual, please reach out directly to any of our members to find out what's possible!
Trainings Offered by State-Based and National Organizations
Displaying results 46 - 50 of 130The Teacher's Guide to Sex Ed
Providing quality sex ed is more than just anatomy and pregnancy. But how do you focus on all the stuff that matters to help students making informed and healthy choices?
The Teacher’s Guide has 8 units (listed below) to cover the basics of what you need to know. Go through all 8, or pick and choose what works best for you. Review the units in any order, at your own pace.
Lesson 1: Puberty & the Reproductive System
This unit covers learning pointers about teaching about puberty and reproduction.
Lesson 2: Preventing Pregnancy & Infection: The Basics of Keeping Safe
This unit covers learning about condoms and contraception when teaching sexual health education, HIV/STI prevention, and/or family life education.
Lesson 3: HIV & STIs: Making Sense of Being Safe
This unit covers learning about HIV and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) when teaching sexual health education, HIV/STI prevention, and/or family life education. Understanding how HIV and STIs are spread is critical information for students to learn. It can also be a challenging topic to understand and teach about.
Lesson 4: It’s Not Just What You Say: Techniques & Approaches for a Healthy Sex Ed Class
This unit covers learning about how to create and maintain a comfortable environment teaching sexual health education, HIV/STI prevention, and/or family life education.
Lesson 5: Knowing the Law: Laws & Policies Related to Teaching Sex Ed
This unit covers learning about the laws and policies that are relevant to teaching sexual health education, HIV/STI prevention, and/or family life education.
Lesson 6: Responding with Confidence: Answering Sensitive Questions & Maintaining Boundaries
This unit covers how to answering sensitive or challenging questions from students when teaching sexual health education, HIV/STI prevention, and/or family life education.
Lesson 7: Sexuality & Gender 101: Explaining Concepts of Gender & Sexuality
This unit covers how to talk about gender and sexual orientation particularly when teaching sexual health education, HIV/STI prevention, and/or family life education.
Lesson 8: Talking about Getting Along: The Basics of Teaching Students about Healthy Relationships
This unit covers how to teach about healthy relationships when teaching sexual health education, HIV/STI prevention, and/or family life education.
- Indicator 1 (6-12): Explain fertilization, implantation, conception, and how pregnancy occurs.
- Indicator 2 (6-12): Demonstrate the steps necessary for effective external and internal condom use and how to access condoms. (S)
- Indicator 4 (6-12): Explain methods of contraception, including the latest medical advances that are popular among young people.
- Indicator 5 (6-12): Describe pregnancy options, including parenting, adoption, and abortion.
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies for creating culturally responsive classrooms. (S)
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe the importance of teachers’ maintaining professional boundaries when teaching sex education.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): List three factors to consider regarding personal disclosure when teaching sex education
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Demonstrate how to reduce the impact of educators’ passive and/or active personal disclosure on the educational environment. (S)
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to build rapport with students. (S)
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the differences between positive vs. shaming approaches to teaching sex education.
- Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three effective strategies for practicing skills with students.
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe three distinguishing characteristics between healthy and unhealthy relationships, involving family, friends, and/or romantic partners.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Explain three ways that healthy relationships can positively impact personal well-being.
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three strategies for teaching students communication skills.
- Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three ways to help students set and respect personal boundaries in relationships.
- Indicator 1 (6-12): Describe HIV and three common STDs/STIs, and how each can and cannot be transmitted.
- Indicator 2 (6-12): Explain that many STD/STIs do not cause symptoms and the only way to know if you have one is to be tested.
- Indicator 3 (6-12): Explain the benefits of getting tested and treated for HIV and other STDs/STIs.
- Indicator 5 (6-12): Demonstrate the steps necessary for effective external and internal condom use and how to access condoms. (S).
- Indicator 6 (6-12): Describe the latest medical advances in HIV and other STDs/STIs prevention and treatment.
- Indicator 7 (6-12): Identify three medically accurate and youth-friendly resources for STD/STI and HIV prevention, testing, and treatment
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain how availability of supportive school staff, presence of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), LGBQ-inclusive curricular resources, and the presence of comprehensive, enumerated anti-harassment school policies are related to improved school climate for students of all sexual orientations.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Define sexual orientation and sexual identity, including that everyone has both.
- Indicator 3 (6-12): Explain the difference between sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and sexual identity.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate the use of inclusive and affirming language. (S)
- Indicator 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that LGBQ+ youth are at disproportionate risk for health disparities.
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Identify three credible, medically accurate, youth-friendly resources that can provide information or support related to sexual orientation.
- Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons.
- Indicator 9 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies that can be used to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons. (S)
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe how puberty prepares the human body for the potential to reproduce.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): List three physical, three social, and three emotional changes that occur during puberty.
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Identify three practices that students can adopt for maintaining healthy habits beginning during puberty.
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain three reasons why it is important to respond to every question students ask when teaching sex education.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to effectively respond to three different types of challenging questions. (S)
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe three health (e.g. physical, social and/or emotional) and/or academic benefits of sex education for young people
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe state and/or district laws, policies, and standards that relate to sex education where one teaches.
- Indicator 1 (K-5): Explain the benefits of teaching young children the medically accurate terms for genitals.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to use medically accurate terms for sexual and reproductive anatomy, including all external genitals. (S)
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the function of the individual sexual and reproductive body parts and how they typically work.
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain how availability of supportive school staff, presence of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), gender-inclusive curricular resources, and the presence of comprehensive enumerated anti-harassment school policies are related to improved school climate for students of all gender identities.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the use of inclusive and affirming language. (S)
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Define gender identity and sex assigned at birth.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Explain how gender identity and gender expression are distinct from each other and from sexual orientation.
- Indicator 6 (K-12): Explain three ways that transgender and gender expansive youth are at disproportionate risk for health disparities.
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Identify three credible, medically accurate, youth-friendly resources that can provide information or support related to transgender and gender expansive people.
- Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of transgender and gender expansive people in lessons.
- Indicator 9 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies that can be used to make lessons affirming for transgender and gender expansive people. (S)
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain the differences between personal and universal values relating to sexuality.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe how verbal and nonverbal expression of personal values, and comfort with topics related to sex education, could impact one’s teaching
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the importance of educators refraining from sharing their personal values when implementing sex education.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to respond effectively to students’ values-based comments and questions. (S)
Adolescent Romantic Relationships: Disrupting What We Think We Know
In this course, participants will:
- Describe the developmental benefits of adolescent romantic relationships.
- Describe three emerging principles related to adolescent brain development and their relationship to adolescent health, including adolescent romantic relationships.
- Identify ten developmental tasks of adolescent development and the aligned opportunities for supporting young people in romantic relationships.
- Describe the evidence-based qualities of a healthy adolescent romantic relationship.
- Describe the impact of trauma on developing and navigating romantic relationships.
- Identify strategies and actions that trusted adults can use to support the development of healthy adolescent romantic relationships.
- Identify at least three action steps, based on the teaching from this training, that will strengthen their programs targeting adolescents.
Visit ETR's Training & TA Form to submit your request and receive cost information.
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe three distinguishing characteristics between healthy and unhealthy relationships, involving family, friends, and/or romantic partners.
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three strategies for teaching students communication skills.
- Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three ways to help students set and respect personal boundaries in relationships.
Virtual PD - Tailoring Lessons to Meet Age and Developmental Levels
Virtual Professional Development is a simulated classroom where teachers can practice teaching student avatars using short scenarios and support from an instructional coach, so they can quickly learn and master the skills they most need to be effective. With upper elementary, middle and high school classrooms, Virtual PD has scenarios for teachers of all grade levels across a wide range of topics aligned with the Professional Learning Standards for Sex Education (PLSSE). You can watch the video here (link is external) to learn more about Virtual PD.
Using the Virtual Professional Development classroom simulator, the educator will practice Tailoring Lessons to Meet Age and Developmental Levels with the student avatars. In this scenario, the educator has recently noticed an increase in inappropriate touching happening in the hallways at school. So the participant decides to address this issue through a lesson on personal boundaries with their students. The participant will read various situations aloud asking students whether these situations would violate their personal boundaries or not. The participant will need to demonstrate the ability to analyze and tailor lesson plans to match the age and developmental stages of their students.
- Indicator 7 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to analyze and tailor lesson plans to match the age, developmental stages, cultural backgrounds, and other identities of students. (S)
Strategies to Reduce Unintended Teen Pregnancy Through Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC)
Long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) methods have the potential to significantly reduce unintended pregnancy among young people. However, misconceptions related to LARC methods and their use by adolescents has prevented young people from receiving adequate information about LARCs. In this training, facilitators use learner-centered, interactive techniques to discuss the rationale and research base for providing LARC information to young people. Participants review the most up-to-date clinical information about LARC methods and build their capacity to implement health promotion strategies related to LARCs.
Objectives of this training:
- State the rationale and research base for adolescent use of long-acting reversible contraception.
- Distinguish myths and misconceptions about adolescent use of long-acting reversible contraception.
- Describe four types of long-acting reversible contraception and their advantages for adolescents and young adults.
- Apply LARC-related health promotion strategies to existing programs.
Visit ETR's Training & TA Form to submit your request and receive cost information.
- Indicator 2 (6-12): Demonstrate the steps necessary for effective external and internal condom use and how to access condoms. (S)
- Indicator 3 (6-12): Describe the differences in mechanisms of action and access between emergency contraception and the abortion pill.
- Indicator 4 (6-12): Explain methods of contraception, including the latest medical advances that are popular among young people.
Additional Trainings offered by out-of-state organizations
- ‹ previous
- 12 of 30
- next ›
Examining Sexually Explicit Media: Tools for Conversations with Youth
Sexually Explicit Media (SEM) is one way through which youth are learning about sexuality. Using the lens of media literacy education, this interactive, one-day training will provide educators, youth workers, and professionals with an opportunity to explore how pornography can play a role in young people's sexual development and sexuality, their awareness of gender and gender stereotypes, consent, sexual behavior, bodies and body image, healthy and unhealthy relationships, and sexual identity.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe three impacts that conscious and unconscious bias could have on cross-cultural interactions when teaching sex education.
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate three techniques to create an inclusive and affirming learning environment. (S)
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three elements of a trauma-informed approach to sex education.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate three strategies of a trauma-informed approach to sex education (e.g. giving trigger warnings before content on sexual assault and allowing students the right to pass as appropriate, etc.). (S)
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe the importance of teachers’ maintaining professional boundaries when teaching sex education.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): List three factors to consider regarding personal disclosure when teaching sex education
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to build rapport with students. (S)
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate three student-centered instructional approaches that support a variety of learning styles. (S)
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the differences between positive vs. shaming approaches to teaching sex education.
- Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three effective strategies for practicing skills with students.
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe three distinguishing characteristics between healthy and unhealthy relationships, involving family, friends, and/or romantic partners.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Explain three ways that healthy relationships can positively impact personal well-being.
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Describe three strategies for teaching students communication skills.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Describe three strategies for incorporating the positive and negative impacts of communicating through technology into lessons on healthy relationships.
- Indicator 5 (K-12): Describe three ways to help students set and respect personal boundaries in relationships.
- Indicator 8 (K-12): Explain why it is essential to include positive portrayals of LGBQ+ people in lessons.
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain three reasons why it is important to respond to every question students ask when teaching sex education.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to effectively respond to three different types of challenging questions. (S)
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Describe three health (e.g. physical, social and/or emotional) and/or academic benefits of sex education for young people
- Indicator 1 (K-12): Explain the differences between personal and universal values relating to sexuality.
- Indicator 2 (K-12): Describe how verbal and nonverbal expression of personal values, and comfort with topics related to sex education, could impact one’s teaching
- Indicator 3 (K-12): Explain the importance of educators refraining from sharing their personal values when implementing sex education.
- Indicator 4 (K-12): Demonstrate the ability to respond effectively to students’ values-based comments and questions. (S)