Highlights from John McGee’s writing on Mending the Broken Heart and from Return to Gentleness (2021) by Anthony (Tony) M. McCrovitz.
This ‘model’ is a the proposed structure that gives form to our practice and insight for our vision, mission, and values. What does this looks like when we
break it down into parts? We’ll take a look and discuss how we use the tools and assessments of this model for developing a quality-of-life plan with meaningful goals.
Includes the teaching involved with ongoing learning; what to look for, how to create a plan that aligns with a culture of gentleness, how to integrate value and meaning; the purpose of developing a portfolio, community-centered celebrations; and outcome assessments.
Self-assessing where we are on this journey with an Individual, and how to ‘mentor in the moment;’ reclaiming the power of the heart with an outcome assessment will also be presented.
Dr. Anthony (Tony) M. McCrovitz, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Quality of Life Institute, Inc., a nonprofit committed to enhancing the wellbeing of individuals facing various challenges. As a Licensed Psychologist and Mental Health Counselor, he specializes in child development and holistic, bio-psychosocial approaches.
Throughout his career, Dr. McCrovitz has been a dedicated advocate for individuals with disabilities, focusing on breaking down cultural and community barriers. He’s known for developing a Quality-of-Life Model™ that integrates the relationship-building principles of Gentle Teaching into his work. His commitment to the sharing of knowledge and resource materials for direct service providers has led him to collaborate globally, working with organizations and professionals to improve inclusive learning communities that support both personal and professional growth.
In addition to his leadership at Quality of Life Institute, Dr. McCrovitz has taught developmental psychology and lifespan courses at various colleges and universities. He holds a Ph.D. in I/O Psychology from Walden University, a respecialization in Clinical Psychology from Adler Professional School of Psychology, an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University, and a master’s degree in pastoral counseling from Loyola University of Chicago. MSE 03, Creating Meaningful Moments was published in 2024. Other books he has authored include Anthony’s Backpack: A Child’s Journey into Gentleness (2010) and Return to Gentleness: Journeying with Gentle Teaching (2021).
Dr. McCrovitz has been an active member of the Gentle Teaching International community since its establishment in 2009, and serves as a board member of the International Snoezelen-MSE Association (ISNAMSE.org) and the Institute of Multi-Sensory Environments (I-MSE.org), presenting internationally on topics connecting neuroscience and sensory integration to facilitate inclusive learning for all that focus on creating sustainable solutions with quality-of-life outcomes.
For many years, Maurits Eijgendaal has provided direct services with a framework of Gentle Teaching and has mentored and trained others in their practice and profession. He has been a leader for development and policymaking for various social service organizations in Denmark and Scandinavia.
For several decades, Maurits served as the managing director for the largest institution in Denmark, The Village of Solund, mentoring 750 staff members within this organization that continues to serve hundreds of people with severe disabilities.
In the 1980’s he introduced the MSE/Snoezelen concept in Scandinavia, and later, in 2009, when his country of Denmark proposed to build a state-of-the-art MSE/Snoezelen center, Maurits served as their senior consultant and designer.
Maurits also took up the role of senior consultant and developer for an educational research center in Denmark that improves educational practices and standards for more than 3000 courses taught throughout the country, and was the head of this task force for many years.
He wrote a book about MSE/Snoezelen that focused on how to be a family, growing and celebrating together while raising a child with a disability. It was published in Danish (1990).
In 2009, his years of work, development, and leadership with colleague and friend, Dr. John McGee, culminated in their collaborative establishment of Gentle Teaching International, an organization for which Maurits served as president through 2013.
Maurits is President of the International MSE/Snoezelen Association (ISNAMSE.org) and has worked in this regard since 2010.
The conference will be held at the John Lagura Senior Center, which is located on the Sharing Meadow’s property. The address is 6617 N 300 E LaPorte, IN 46350. Once on the property follow the signs that will direct you to the Senior Center.
The conference will be from 8:30 am – 4 pm CST each day.
Each day breakfast and lunch will be provided. If you have a food allergy please mark this on your registration.
These are hotel accommodations that are nearby the conference site:
The cost of the conference is $195. This can be paid online with the registration with a credit card. Cash & checks are also accepted. This can be indicated on the registration form.
For more questions, please contact Mara at : [email protected] (c) 334.524.2220 (o) 219.921.5492 ext.3.
You can also contact the SHARE office at 219.778.2585.
