Two Big Goals Reached! - Puberty Curriculum

As a sex educator, of course I am always teaching. Did you know that I am also always learning? As part of my commitment to providing the best sex education for kids, families, and educators, I recently completed two big goals:

Complete the Sexual Health Certificate Program at the University of Michigan
Become a Certified Sexuality Educator (CSE)

Reaching these goals was not quick or easy, but it was worth all the time, money, and effort invested. Let me tell you a little about each goal.

Goal 1: Sexual Health Certificate Program

The University of Michigan accepts about 75 people each year to enroll in their Sexual Health Certificate Program (SHCP). People come from around the globe to participate in this prestigious program. My cohort includes people from Egypt, Lebanon, Canada, Japan, and the United States. What a rich diversity of culture and experiences! Fewer than 500 people worldwide have completed this program and can say they are #MichiganTrained!

Goal 2: Certified Sexuality Educator

For most professionals in healthcare and human services, certification is a prerequisite to practice. Likewise, those of us who are serious about a career in sex education seek out certification. The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) is the exemplary credentialing body for sex educators. AASECT credentials sexual health professionals based on rigorous standards for academic preparation, supervised training and consultation, field-related experience, and applied skills. I have earned this internationally recognized AASECT certification as a Sexuality Educator.

Why Do This Now?

My zeal for learning and teaching continues as the field of sex education changes over time. I am committed to learning the latest and greatest information and strategies for teaching about current issues: consent, diversity, inequities, inclusion, sexually explicit images. These issues impact the sexual development of young people and must be addressed in age-appropriate ways.

Completing the SHCP and earning the CSE credential demonstrates my commitment to being the best sex educator I can be. By reaching for these goals, I continue to stretch myself to better serve young people, families, and educators.

If you’d like to know more…

My path to being an AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator (CSE) involved these steps:

Step 1 was gaining years of experience.
Step 2 was completing a spectrum of academic requirements. In addition to previous professional development, I completed the Sexual Health Certificate Program at University of Michigan which met many of the educational requirements.
Step 3 was being supervised by experienced AASECT Certified Sexuality Educator Supervisor(s). I am so grateful to my two supervisors, Sallie Foley and Eli Green.
Step 4 was completing the exacting application and sending it to AASECT for peer review of my credentials.
Step 5 will be earning ongoing Continuing Education (CE) credits to maintain my CSE status.