Teacher Training
Birthsmarter Teacher Training + Certification Program
Applications are now open!
Program Overview Winter - Spring 2025
Want to know if this is the right certification program for you? Here's a recording of our info-session from October 9th. We went deep behind the scenes to share details around the who, what, when, where, and why of the program.
Program Overview
The Birthsmarter Teacher Training + Certification Program is meant to launch a small number of highly-qualified, exemplary educators who are passionate about bringing Birthsmarter's curriculum, values, and mission to their local community via regular, in-person, childbirth education classes beginning in the summer of 2025. In order to ensure your preparedness, we promise:
A comprehensive 4-month training program filled with live virtual instruction, self-paced work, a small accountability group, ample practice teaching opportunities, community building, direct access to Caprice Abowitt, Birthsmarter’s Director of Education, and Ashley Brichter, Birthsmarter’s Founder, as well as Birthsmarter's operational and marketing support as you begin teaching.
With 12-months of access to:
1. license the Birthsmarter branding and all Birthsmarter educational materials, including teacher guides, student workbooks, and visual aids.
2. use a Birthsmarter Childbirth Educator certification mark when promoting your services.
3. marketing support including, but not limited to placement on the forthcoming Find-a-Birthsmarter Class directory, a library of digital and print-ready marketing collateral, introductions to strategic partners in your area, digital event promotion, and on-going business mentorship.
4. a community platform offering continuing education and professional development sessions, the ability to prepare for and troubleshoot classes, and receive ongoing mentorship.
After one-year, you’ll be able to renew your license every two years.
Our Why
The current climate of childbirth education leaves so much to be desired. Mainstream options are often outdated and biased leaving expectant parents overly prepared for unrealistic scenarios which leave folks feeling like unexpected or unwanted outcomes are the result of a personal failing. Most curriculums over-promise certain outcomes, leave partners out, and transfer information, but don’t teach people how to think critically.
Since 2019, we’ve been working to improve birth for families and elevate families through birth. We’ve set out on a clear mission of providing unbiased, inclusive, and accessible childbirth education to as many families as possible. We’ve had the privilege of educating over 7,000 expectant parents online and in-person. We've trained 15 educators, expanded to six new locations, and regularly receive 5-star reviews.
While virtual education will continue to be a cornerstone of our offerings, we are seeing increased demand for in-person learning. We’ve worked diligently to craft a training program in which we can share our knowledge and resources to help a small group of dedicated and skilled individuals become exceptional educators and bring Birthsmarter’s paradigm-shifting classes to more communities throughout the United States and Canada.
Program Details
In total, between lectures, meetings, and self-paced work this program will require ~30 hours per month from March until June. The program entails:
Two Virtual Weekend Sessions: Teacher training will kick-off with a weekend intensive March 1st and 2nd from 12:00pm - 6:30pm ET and we’ll gather for a mid-point weekend intensive May 3rd and 4th from 12:00pm - 6:30pm ET on Zoom. These sessions will be a mix of lecture, discussion, practice teaching, and community building. Live attendance for the entirety of both weekends is mandatory in order to complete the program.
Virtual Lectures: In addition to our weekend sessions we will host 13, ~2 hour lectures on Zoom. These will take place on Wednesdays at 12pm ET. (These were previously listed as Thursdays but will be on Wednesdays instead!) We hope that you’re able to attend many of these lectures live but they will be recorded for anyone who cannot attend.
Weekly Meetings: To integrate what you’re learning, create community, and help you hold each other accountable, you can expect to have a 60-90 minute meeting per week. We’ll have both:
- 7 instructor-led discussion and practicum sessions which will meet on Monday March 10th, March 24th, April 7th, April 21st, May 5th, May 19th and June 2nd from 8-9:30pm ET.
- Small accountability group meetings the weeks of March 3rd, March 17th, March 31st, April 14th, April 28th, May 12th, and June 9th. The default time will be Mondays at 8pm ET, but each small group can determine their own meeting time as fits the groups needs.
- Attendance at these meetings is required, however we understand that folks may have to miss 1-practicum and 1-accountability group for Spring Break, Spring Holidays and / or various life-demands.
Self-Paced Work: Throughout the program you’ll be asked to spend time consuming selected readings, videos, podcasts, and research papers. You’ll be required to tour local hospitals in addition to auditing Birthsmarter classes. You will also be asked to produce a mix of written and video content.
NYC Final Team Teach + Graduation Weekend: June 20th-22nd
Certification
Once accepted into the Birthsmarter Teacher Training + Certification Program, you must attend all of our virtual sessions and meetings and complete the self paced work. In the event you cannot attend a lecture session, you are required to watch a recording of the missed session prior to the next session and complete any/all materials needed. After the training journey is complete, a final assessment will be given. This will be short section answers via video submission. The exam is scored as Pass/Fail. If you do not receive a passing grade on the exam someone from the Birthsmarter team will set up time for an interview to discuss potential pathways for certification, if any.
Financial Investment: $2,650
Unlike other childbirth educator certification programs, it is our utmost intention that at the end of our 14 weeks together you will be knowledgable, practiced, resourced, and ready to begin teaching immediately. Given the small group size, highly-practical nature, and limited geographical exclusivity, we foresee teachers being able to recoup their initial investment after 2 to 3 group classes.
To make this program accessible to all, the Alternative Pricing Policy we have for childbirth education classes applies to this program as well. Your need for alternative pricing will not be factored into the application decision and instead will be something we discuss once you've been accepted. We are also happy to create a payment plan option. Please review the document and let us know if you have any questions.
Please note: travel to and from NYC and accommodations in NYC for the June 20th weekend are not included in tuition though we will do our best to help folks find housing for the weekend with our NYC team.
Cancellation / Drop Out Policy?
Given the limited cohort size and the amount of personal attention you will receive, no refunds will be given if you decide to leave the program for any reason. For true family emergencies, individuals may be able to extend their payment to a future cohort or make up missed time at cost to the facilitators and operating team.
Application
Applications are now open!
All applications to be considered must be submitted by December 15th, 11:59pm ET.
APPLICATION DEADLINE NOW EXTENDED: January 12, 2025 11:59pm ET.
Who’s this for?
This program is ideal for self-motivated, moderately entrepreneurial, dynamic, inclusive, and unbiased individuals with a background in birth work, health and wellness, or education looking to add in-person Birthsmarter childbirth education courses to their professional offerings and connect to a community of like-minded educators for ongoing support and professional development.
This program is NOT for those who need micromanagement nor for those who are looking to use this training to build their own brand of Childbirth Education classes. It is not for folks who may be passionate about the topics but lack the experience or persona to develop into a dynamic educator / group facilitator. This program is not for anyone who would be uncomfortable teaching any couple or individual based on their identity politics.
Questions?
Send us an email: ashley@birthsmarter.com / caprice@birthsmarter.com