Journaling and Emotional Geography for Self-Reflection, Professional Growth and Creative Competences

This Erasmus+ journaling course for teachers is designed to support wellbeing, creativity, and reflective practice. In today’s fast-paced educational environment, teachers often face stress and overload. Therefore, developing tools for self-reflection and emotional balance is essential.

Through this course, participants explore journaling, emotional geography, and creative writing. As a result, they learn how to connect personal development with professional growth. Moreover, the course takes place in an inspiring natural environment, which enhances both learning and wellbeing.

What You will learn

During this journaling course for teachers, participants gain practical and applicable skills.

Key learning areas:

  • reflective journaling and mindful writing
  • emotional geography and place-based learning
  • creative storytelling techniques
  • wellbeing strategies for teachers
  • outdoor and experiential learning

Furthermore, all methods can be directly applied in classroom practice.

Learning time: 7 days/ 25 hours or more
Language used for the training: English.

acd
Valentina Cassarà
meet your trainer

Target Audience

Kindergarten teachers, pre-school teachers, primary teachers, secondary teachers, adult education providers, head teachers, deputy heads, future head teachers, trainers, councilors, librarians, researchers, NGO workers, volunteers in the education sector, as well as university professors and lecturers.

“The course was conducted professionally by well-prepared trainers who created a friendly atmosphere and built great relationships with us. They presented innovative techniques to foster self-reflection and a positive classroom climate.”
Agnieszka, Poland

Choose a location and find out the course dates

12.07.2026 – 18.07.2026 ENGLISH CONFIRMED

19.07.2026 – 25.07.2026 ENGLISH PLANNED

23.05.2027 – 29.05.2027 ENGLISH CONFIRMED

Our courses in Italy are run in cooperation with:
AMFI International OID E10034731

Join this course

2026: € 560 per person / 7 days

Very important:
To receive an invoice your VAT number must be registered in the VIES database (European VAT number).
We also issue invoices to individuals.
We issue receipts to entities that are not registered with the EU VAT system.

Learning Objectives

This Erasmus+ journaling course for teachers focuses on developing reflective practice, creativity, and emotional awareness through writing, nature, and experiential learning.
Overall, the course helps educators connect personal reflection with professional development.

✍️ Develop Reflective Writing Skills
  • emotional awareness and reflective thinking
  • creativity and self-expression
  • ecological sensitivity and responsibility
  • confidence in communication and digital tools
🌍 Connect Writing with Place and Environment
  • use emotional geography tools (affective maps, inner mapping, biogeography)
  • moreover, interpret landscapes through storytelling and creative expression
  • as a result, develop place-based learning approaches
🌱 Build Ecological Awareness and Wellbeing
  • foster a conscious relationship with nature and environment (ecoliteracy)
  • At the same time, support wellbeing through reflection and sensory experiences
  • Therefore, promote sustainability and ecological thinking
🎨 Integrate Interdisciplinary Learning
  • combine knowledge from geography, art, pedagogy, and ecopsychology
  • furthermore, connect body, space, and language in teaching
  • design experiential learning activities across subjects
🤝 Strengthen Communication and Collaboration
  • enhance listening and relational skills through group sharing
  • in addition, develop empathy and emotional intelligence
  • create safe, creative, and non-judgmental learning environments
💻 Develop Digital and Creative Competences
  • use digital tools for journaling, mapping, and storytelling
  • similarly, combine analog and digital methods
  • improve digital literacy in education
🌟 Develop Key Competences

In addition, participants strengthen transversal skills such as:

  • confidence in communication and digital tools
  • emotional awareness and reflective thinking
  • creativity and self-expression
  • ecological sensitivity and responsibility

Methodology

This Erasmus+ teacher training course follows an experiential and learner-centred approach.

First, participants engage in workshops and collaborative learning.
Then, they work in pairs and groups to exchange ideas.
At the same time, learning by doing supports practical understanding.
In addition, outdoor and place-based learning enhances engagement.
Finally, minimal theory is combined with strong practical application.

As a result, participants can immediately transfer these methods to their classroom practice.

Pre-Course Activities

Before the course, each participant is invited to:

  • prepare a short presentation about their school and context
  • bring elements of local culture for exchange
  • reflect on personal and professional learning goals

Costs

The 560 EUR fee covers the course tuition, issuing the required Erasmus+ documents, coffee breaks, and a guided tour.
We offer an optional cultural programme in order to provide you with opportunities to explore the wonders of the area. All the details including the destinations and the prices will be sent to the participants two months before the course starts.

Please note:

  • Accommodation, meals, and other transport arrangements are not included and must be organized by participants or their institutionsovers the course tuition, issuing the required Erasmus+ documents, coffee breaks, and a guided tour.
  • Transport to activity sites is subject to an additional fee.
  • Group meals are optional and paid separately.

Opinions of training participants

“I will work on the emotional landscape during my lessons. I also plan to strengthen team-building activities so that our school becomes a place where every teacher can develop and inspire others.
The trainers’ passion, knowledge, and sensitivity to participants’ needs created an atmosphere full of kindness and warmth – and the Sicilian family spirit was unforgettable.”

Sylwia, Poland

“I plan to introduce journaling with my students. I found the exercises engaging and inspiring, helping teachers understand their students better. I appreciated the trainers’ openness, flexibility, and well-chosen materials.”
Szymon, Poland

👉See all Erasmus courses for teachers
👉View Spatia Teacher Academy courses on the European School Education Platform

WHY THIS COURSE MATTERS

Journaling is more than writing. In fact, it is a powerful tool for reflection, creativity, and emotional awareness. By using journaling in education, teachers can improve both their own wellbeing and student engagement.

  • In addition, this course helps participants:
  • support student wellbeing
  • develop reflective practice
  • improve emotional awareness
  • increase creativity in teaching

ERASMUS+ CONTEXT

This course supports key Erasmus+ priorities such as:

  • wellbeing and mental health
  • innovative teaching methods
  • inclusion and diversity
  • lifelong learning

Therefore, it is fully aligned with modern educational needs.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing the course, participants will:

  • improve wellbeing and reduce stress
  • develop reflective teaching practices
  • increase creativity in the classroom
  • In addition, gain practical tools for everyday teaching
  • build stronger connections with students

FAQ

What is a journaling course for teachers?

It is a course that helps teachers use writing for reflection, wellbeing, and professional growth.

Is this course funded by Erasmus+?

Yes, most participants can receive full funding through Erasmus+ KA1.

Do I need writing experience?

No, the course is suitable for beginners.

What will I gain from this course?

You will gain practical tools for wellbeing, creativity, and teaching.