StorySeed Schedule
StorySeed Schedule
Day 1 - Babel Școală + Liceu
Day 1 - Babel Școală + Liceu
- 03/10/2025
16:30 - 17:00
Welcome and arrival
- 03/10/2025
17:00-18:30
Introductory Experiential Education Workshops
(Parallel Sessions )
– Ludo Heylen (Belgium), Suze Roelofs (Netherlands) How, where and why does Experiential Education work? How schools have become better places for learning in Belgium, the Netherlands and other countries.
– Wilma van Esch (Netherlands) Self-direction and entrepreneurship in Experiential Education
One of the powerful competencies elaborated in experiential education is ‘self-direction and entrepreneurship’. What does that look like when we observe our children?. And how can we encourage and support children to grow up to be resilient people, with a lot of imagination and entrepreneurship?
So that they can deal imaginatively and creatively with the things that cross their way during life, and that they feel empowered to find their way in our complex but beautiful world.
– Tom Goevers (Belgium) What is it like to be an experiential education teacher?
What touches me most in the experiential education is the invitation to truly step into the world of the child. By taking their perspective, we gain insight into what moves them, what drives them, or what holds them back. It’s no longer the behaviour that guides us, but the question: “What is this child trying to show us? What does it need?” This attitude requires closeness, gentleness, and courage. Together with the child, we search for the right kind of support, contributing to much more than just knowledge transfer. We help children grow into empathic, self-confident and self-aware, critical and socially engaged individuals who care for themselves and those around them. That, for me, is the essence of true pedagogical responsibility.
- 03/10/2025
18:30-19:30
Social time & buffet
- 03/10/2025
19:30-20:30
Storytelling Performance
with Momo Heiß (Germany), Mălina Billod (Switzerland), and Maja Bumberk (Hungary)
Day 2 - Aula Magna, West University of Timișoara, Babel Școală + Liceu & Pădurea Verde
Day 2 - Aula Magna, West University of Timișoara & Babel Școală + Liceu
- 04/10/2025
10:00 - 13:00
Masterclass with Prof. Dr. Ferre Laevers
Masterclass with Prof. Dr. Ferre Laevers at Aula Magna – A deep dive into experiential education, engagement, and well-being in learning
Ferre Laevers – Masterclass
Supporting children’s development of talent and emotional health.
Well being and involvement as key factors.
Day by day teachers struggle with what seems to be a lack of motivation and well being of students at all levels of education.
The session will focus on a new way to define quality in educational settings (the involvement and well being of each child), on the learning environment that is necessary to achieve this and on deep level learning as the outcome of experiential education.
What kind of person do we want education to deliver? How can we equip all children for life? As a teacher you are not powerless: you shape the relation and the context where children develop. That is why, every day, there is hope.
- 04/10/2025
14:30 - 17:00
Outdoor (Pădurea Verde, ZUMZET)
– Location: Green Forest, ZUMZET
– Momo Heiß (Germany), Storymaking Outdoors – Inventing Stories in Connection with Nature
All activities are easy to adapt for different age groups and group settings.
In this workshop, we explore how stories can emerge from direct experience with the natural world. Through simple, creative methods, we invent stories in pairs and as a group — inspired by what we see, hear, and feel around us.
We take time to arrive with open senses and to meet the place — its plants, animals, and atmosphere — in an attentive and respectful way. As we connect with the environment, the natural surroundings themselves become part of the storytelling process. Sometimes, while inventing together, we find ourselves inside a shared story. That’s where a sense of community begins to grow — right there, in the moment.
Partner exercises can be done in Romanian if you like. In the group, we’ll communicate in English — with help from hands and feet, laughter, and joy.
„When a group invents a story together, something lights up — everyone becomes part of something shared. Again and again, I’ve seen participants take this spark with them — inspired to keep exploring it in their own group work.“
– Outodoor Experiential Education workshop with Marjolijn de Ruijter (Netherlands)
Discover how nature and outdoor experiential learning can strengthen a sense of community
In this interactive workshop you can experience yourself how outdoor activities combined with the principles of non-violent communication can foster connection and collaboration. Through hands-on activities and reflective dialogue you’ll gain fresh insights and new perspectives on learning outside of the classroom walls.
- 04/10/2025
14:30 - 17:00
Experiential Education and Storytelling Workshops
( Parallel Sessions )
– Location: Babel Școală + Liceu
– Ludo Heylen (Belgium) The Importance of Professional Learning Communities
According to John Hattie is ‘Collective Teacher Efficacy’ one of the most influencing factors on the quality of education in schools. The effect size on the achievements of students is d =1,57. It is more than two times bigger than that of feedback (d=0.72), and almost three times bigger than the effect of classroom management (d=0.52. )Collective Teacher Efficacy is the collective belief ooolf teachers in their ability to positively affect students. It is about the professional growth of the team of teachers as a team.
But how can you work on this Collective Teacher Efficacy? You need a space to bring teachers together on a regular basis. In Professional Learning Communities (PLC) for teachers.
In the workshop we talk about:
How can you organize PLC’s?
The role of the PLC-coach.
What is the focus of the meetings?
How can you guarantee that the meetings are efficient?
Examples of schools working with PLC’s and the improvement in achievements of students.
– Wilma van Esch (Netherlands) The need of belonging – how it can be met in a school community
Every child, every adult has basic needs: autonomy, healthy relationships in which you are seen, feeling competent. These needs differ from person to person.
Where one person needs clarity and boundaries in order to grow, the other needs a lot of space for personal initiative. Where one person likes to be in the midst of the hustle and bustle among people, the other likes to seek peace and quiet.
We are all very different, fortunately. Deeply rooted in us is an enormous need to be able to be ourselves ánd to belong. This applies to our children, to their parents and to ourselves.
To belong and to be yourself. That demands something of our community. How can we create a community where people want to belong, but where they also experience that they can be themselves.
With respect for others, the safety to dare to be yourself and make mistakes, and not be excluded because you sometimes have a different point of view or idea than the rest. Where exploratory dialogue is natural. How do we do that?
This workshop is a mixture of theory and investigative practice. The success of the workshop is largely determined by the input and involvement of the participants ;-).
– Tom Goevers (Belgium) Stop Differentiating, Start Facilitating
In this session, we let go of traditional differentiation where the teacher constantly adjusts for individual learners. Instead, we explore how you can act as a facilitator and create a learning environment in which every child feels recognised and included. We look at the diversity present in every classroom — differences in pace, interest, background, learning style, home situation — and how we can meet these varying needs without losing the group as a whole. Through flexible structures, clear routines, and a relational mindset, we aim for a classroom where differences are not smoothed out, but embraced. We work with concrete examples and invite participants to reflect and act. This workshop is for anyone who feels that “everyone included” demands more than just extra worksheets or longer instructions. It’s not about working harder, but about looking differently.
Suze Roelofs (Netherlands) – How to build trust with children? How to offer autonomy?
In a powerful learning environment, trust is not an extra, but a foundation. When we truly give children trust, space is created for autonomy: the opportunity to make their own choices, take initiative and bear responsibility. That trust is not blind faith, but a conscious choice to see the child as a competent, thinking and feeling person. Granting autonomy does not mean letting go of everything, but offering frameworks within which children can explore, try, fail and grow themselves.
– Mălina Billod (Switzerland), Storytelling for Teachers, this workshop will be held in Romanian
A story, orally passed from generation to generation, will open up our workshop space. We’ll then dive into a creative process and we’ll create objects, paintings, songs or dances that, woven together, co-create the community space. We’ll share and honor each of our creations in a closing circle. Each participant will have experienced a workshop structure to take home and share with their students – one that always starts with a story.
At this 2-hour workshop I invite you to indulge in the joyful experience of listening to stories and do storywork together. We will also discuss how oral storytelling can contribute to joyful learning, while strengthening crucial learning competences, as well as building community and trust in the classroom. Through playful activities you will be introduced to the practice of storytelling in a safe atmosphere, and be able to take away at least one story to tell to your students.
- 04/10/2025
17:00 - 18:00
Q&A and dialogue with Babel teachers and students + relaxing by the fire in the AGORA
- 04/10/2025
18:00
Community Dinner
Day 3 - Babel Școală + Liceu
Day 3 - Babel Școală + Liceu
- 05/10/2025
9:00 - 10:00
Open Space - School Communities that Work
– Simona David Crisbășan (President of the Coalition for Education)
– Steluta Pralea (Principal of Valea Doftanei High School),
– Sorin Hagiu (Principal of Giarmata Secondary School)
– Lucia Carmen Duma ( Teacher at Școala Gimnazială Sacoșu Turcesc )
– Monica Diaconu, Florentina Ivănescu, Adriana Balaj – Babel Școală + Liceu
- 05/10/2025
10:00 - 12:15
Thematic Workshops ( Parallel Sessions )
Ferre Laevers (Belgium) – Well being and involvement as our compass
The workshop will build on the masterclass (1) by deepening some aspects with
illustrations and short tasks in the groups and (2) bridging to their actual practice.
The workshop will culminate in sharing and discussing this scenario to implement the
experiential approach:
1: find a consensus at team level on the statement: without WB and INV no quality
2: start where you are and accept the limitations
2: explore as individual teacher how children are doing in terms of WB and INV and
where you see opportunities/entrances to raise levels
3: think up and take initiatives that look promising
4: reflect on how they worked in relation to WB and INV and move on
5: share your experiences in the team and inspire one another
6: celebrate successes
Ludo Heylen (Belgium) – The Importance of Professional Learning Communities
According to John Hattie is ‘Collective Teacher Efficacy’ one of the most influencing factors on the quality of education in schools. The effect size on the achievements of students is d =1,57. It is more than two times bigger than that of feedback (d=0.72), and almost three times bigger than the effect of classroom management (d=0.52. )Collective Teacher Efficacy is the collective belief ooolf teachers in their ability to positively affect students. It is about the professional growth of the team of teachers as a team.
But how can you work on this Collective Teacher Efficacy? You need a space to bring teachers together on a regular basis. In Professional Learning Communities (PLC) for teachers.
In the workshop we talk about:
How can you organize PLC’s?
The role of the PLC-coach.
What is the focus of the meetings?
How can you guarantee that the meetings are efficient?
Examples of schools working with PLC’s and the improvement in achievements of students.
Tom Goevers (Belgium) – Stop Differentiating, Start Facilitating
In this session, we let go of traditional differentiation where the teacher constantly adjusts for individual learners. Instead, we explore how you can act as a facilitator and create a learning environment in which every child feels recognised and included. We look at the diversity present in every classroom — differences in pace, interest, background, learning style, home situation — and how we can meet these varying needs without losing the group as a whole. Through flexible structures, clear routines, and a relational mindset, we aim for a classroom where differences are not smoothed out, but embraced. We work with concrete examples and invite participants to reflect and act. This workshop is for anyone who feels that “everyone included” demands more than just extra worksheets or longer instructions. It’s not about working harder, but about looking differently.
Suze Roelofs (Netherlands) – How to build trust with children? How to offer autonomy?
In a powerful learning environment, trust is not an extra, but a foundation. When we truly give children trust, space is created for autonomy: the opportunity to make their own choices, take initiative and bear responsibility. That trust is not blind faith, but a conscious choice to see the child as a competent, thinking and feeling person. Granting autonomy does not mean letting go of everything, but offering frameworks within which children can explore, try, fail and grow themselves.
Wilma van Esch (Netherlands) – The need of belonging – how it can be met in a school community
Every child, every adult has basic needs: autonomy, healthy relationships in which you are seen, feeling competent. These needs differ from person to person.
Where one person needs clarity and boundaries in order to grow, the other needs a lot of space for personal initiative. Where one person likes to be in the midst of the hustle and bustle among people, the other likes to seek peace and quiet.
We are all very different, fortunately. Deeply rooted in us is an enormous need to be able to be ourselves ánd to belong. This applies to our children, to their parents and to ourselves.
To belong and to be yourself. That demands something of our community. How can we create a community where people want to belong, but where they also experience that they can be themselves.
With respect for others, the safety to dare to be yourself and make mistakes, and not be excluded because you sometimes have a different point of view or idea than the rest. Where exploratory dialogue is natural. How do we do that?
This workshop is a mixture of theory and investigative practice. The success of the workshop is largely determined by the input and involvement of the participants ;-).
- 05/10/2025
10:00 - 12:30
Storytelling for Children
– Mălina Billod (Switzerland)
– Maia Bumberk (Hungary)
– Momo Heiß (Germany)
– Ina Dafinescu (Romania)
– Alina Iga (Romania)
- 05/10/2024
12:30 - 14:00
Lunch Break
- 05/10/2025
14:00 - 16:00
Storytelling Workshop for Teachers
A story, orally passed from generation to generation, will open up our workshop space. We’ll then dive into a creative process and we’ll create objects, paintings, songs or dances that, woven together, co-create the community space. We’ll share and honor each of our creations in a closing circle. Each participant will have experienced a workshop structure to take home and share with their students – one that always starts with a story.
How do we move from reading a story to speaking it in our own words?
In this workshop-module, each participant will read a story — and gently bring it into spoken language. With the simple tool of drawing a personal storyboard, a written text becomes a story in your heart — one that can then flow in your own words and voice.
We take time to explore the process — alone and in exchange with a partner (Romanian is very welcome here). We return to the group at different points to share how things are going, ask questions, and exchange ideas.
With clear steps and guidance, the process unfolds. And then, almost without noticing, you may find: the story is no longer on paper — it’s within you. Spoken, not read. It feels real, light, and alive.
“For me, this moment was a turning point. I didn’t know that such a thing existed — that storytelling could begin so simply. But it did. And it changed everything.”
At this 2-hour workshop I invite you to indulge in the joyful experience of listening to stories and do storywork together. We will also discuss how oral storytelling can contribute to joyful learning, while strengthening crucial learning competences, as well as building community and trust in the classroom. Through playful activities you will be introduced to the practice of storytelling in a safe atmosphere, and be able to take away at least one story to tell to your students.
- 05/10/2024
16:00
Ending Ceremony
Day 4 - Babel Școală + Liceu
Day 4 - Babel Școală + Liceu
- 06/10/2025
17:00 - 19:00
Cancelaria viitorului – Inspirație pentru colaborarea dintre profesorii din școli
Presented by Constantin Lomaca ( Romanian Language )
One of the most important factors contributing to the improvement of the learning process in schools is the effectiveness of teacher collaboration. According to John Hattie (2015), such collaboration “can have more than double the effect.” How can this be translated into reality, and what practical implications might it have?
In today’s pre-university educational world, there is an emerging consensus, derived from studies on the impact of teacher collaboration on learning, which supports changing professional learning practices so that they lead to an “improvement of the teaching–learning process across the whole school” (Cole, 2012).
Teachers attending this workshop will discover concrete examples of collaboration from various schools, along with suggestions on how they might apply them in their own institutions.
Day 5 - Babel Școală + Liceu
Day 5 - Babel Școală + Liceu
- 07/10/2025
15:00 - 17:00
The School as a Living Space of Democracy
Presented by Călin Rus, Silvia Bogdan, Digital Civic Incubator (Intercultural Institute, Școala de Valori and Techsoup)
Workshop goal: To inspire and bring together all actors involved in school life – students, teachers, parents, support staff, community members, and local authorities – to (re)discover the school as a living space of democracy, where every contribution matters and democratic culture is built through genuine cooperation, mutual respect, and active participation.
The workshop is based on the results of the Digital Civic Incubator, implemented by the Intercultural Institute Timișoara, Școala de Valori, and Techsoup Association, and builds on the Whole School Approach. It promotes an integrated vision in which democracy is not only taught, but lived and practiced in all dimensions of school life – from the classroom to the schoolyard, from everyday relationships to educational policy decisions.
Participants will be supported to:
Understand the concept of the Whole School Approach and how it supports democratic culture in schools.
Identify the complementary roles of educational actors in building a democratic school and in developing competences for democratic culture.
Reflect critically on how democracy is lived in their own school.
Co-create concrete ideas for promoting participation, cooperation, and inclusion in their school community.
- 07/10/2025
17:00 - 19:00
From Burnout to Balance: Reclaiming Joy in Teaching
Presented by Cristiana Osan, British Council Romania
Presented in English
Cristiana Osan, a highly experienced teacher educator in the area of supporting teacher well-being, takes a practical look at how connecting with others, teaching and learning new skills and contributing to the development of our learners, amongst many other steps, can make a real difference to our own well-being. We’ll be exploring in particular, critical questions that help us reflect on our personal and professional health and referring to a psychological model that can contribute to an evaluation of current levels of well-being and to further develop resilience.
Day 6 - Babel Școală + Liceu
Day 6 - Babel Școală + Liceu
- 09/10/2025
17:00 - 19:00
A Common Call for Transforming the Teaching Profession
Presented by Mirela Ștețco
I strongly believe that only together can we see what so often keeps us captive and powerless in our profession today, and that only together can we transform the teaching career into a space of growth and flourishing for each of us.
Because we know well that our source of power lies within us, I invite you to place our meeting under the sign of the following questions:
Who am I, beyond my professional role?
How does this impact the way I feel today and my professional results?
How is my professional role being redefined in this world of disruptive events?
How can I consciously grow in order to become a growth partner for my students, for my school, for the educational ecosystem that needs my contribution?
How can I make sure I do not lose myself, that I do not lose my joy and sense of purpose in the effort of building my piece of heaven/my small island of coherence?
“When a complex system is far from equilibrium, small islands of coherence in a sea of chaos have the capacity to shift the entire system to a higher order.”
— Ilya Prigogine, Nobel Laureate
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