ESD Global Certification Process
LEVEL
Level 1 Instructors are able to teach basic Empowerment Self-Defense classes to women or older female teens from 1 to12 hours long.
1
Requirements:
1. 45 - 60 hours of ESD Global Level 1 Training
2. Continued engagement with an ESDG Mentor and Mentorship Group.
3. Completion and documentation of 30 hours of free ESD teaching in your community
Note: Certifications in Basic First Aid and CPR are highly recommended, as well as
development of clear safety protocols for teaching practice.*
Application for Level 2
1. Additional 70 hours of teaching*
2. 4 case studies – reflecting on your role as a teacher
3. A resume of your relevant experience
4. A class plan
*Note: If you have previous experience teaching ESD, you may be able to count (some) hours towards certification.
2
LEVEL
Level 2 Instructors are able to develop and teach an in-depth self-defense class in a trauma-sensitive and socially aware environment.
Requirements:
1. Continued engagement with Mentor and Mentorship Group
2. Teach 100 hours of ESD
3. Complete 3 to 5 ESD workshops to enhance teaching, or outside workshops that include understanding trauma and creating trauma-informed teaching spaces
4. Create first draft of a business or social media work plan.*
Application for Level 3
1. 100 hours of ESD teaching
2. 4 case studies – reflecting on participant experience
3. Draft business or social media work plan
4. Documentation of additional training completed
Level 3 Instructors will be able to show full competency in teaching a full basics class to
at least one specialty group in their chosen area.
Requirements:
1. Continued engagement with Mentor and Mentorship Group
2. Teach 100 hours of ESD
3. Participate as an assistant/intern in 1 ESD Global Level 1 training
4. Complete 20* hours of training/research to enhance teaching
5. Complete ESD Global online training in understanding trauma*
3
LEVEL
Application for Level 4
1. 100 hours of ESD teaching
2. Documentation and summaries of additional training/research noting how it has been incorporated into your ESD teaching
3. Submit a video from a portion of a special population course
4. 3 case studies detailing participant response and teacher adaptations
Level 4 Instructors should be able to competently and comfortably teach Empowerment Self Defense classes in a wide range of circumstances and to a wide variety of groups and speak comfortably about the impacts of ESD on individual healing, growth, and community change.
4
LEVEL
Requirements:
1. 100 hours of ESD teaching
2. Co-teach an ESD Global Level 1 program
3. Submit and reflect on participant feedback from Level 1
4. Review skills and experience with Mentor: identify and address gaps
5. Make an ESD-related presentation to the Mentorship Committee
6. Submit letters of recommendation
Maintaining Certification
To maintain certification, instructors must:
Maintain a high standard of ESD teaching practice including:
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Ensure that training environments are physically safe, trauma sensitive and free from bias, harassment, and abuse.
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Show a commitment to ongoing learning and development
Certification can be revoked in cases where instructors act in ways which violate the mission, values, and policies of ESD Global Inc. such as:
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Harassment, assault, or abuse of a student, co-trainer, partner, or community-member.
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Fraudulent business practices
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Teaching in a way that is dangerous to students’ emotional, mental, or physical health and wellbeing.