Gentle Teaching

Since 1986, MORC has implemented the principles of Gentle Teaching, as pioneered by John McGee, Ph.D., from Omaha, Nebraska. Gentle Teaching is based on the key principles of teaching a person to feel safe, loved, being able to love others, and that it is good to be engaged with others.

Through MORC policies, training opportunities, and culture, it is the agency’s goal that all individuals must have the opportunity to live and work in a nurturing environment which:

• Provides the individual with a sense of safety.
• Teaches the individual that engagement with others is good.
• Teaches the individual to value others and provides opportunities to establish meaningful relationships.
• Enhances the individual's sense of self-value.
• Assures consistency of structure.
• Provides opportunities to express autonomy, while receiving necessary supports.
• Is conducive to optimal learning.
• Incorporates community inclusion.

MORC offers workshops and a number of training opportunities and retreats for those interested in learning more about the Gentle Teaching approach. Some MORC staff are experts in Gentle Teaching and have presented at international conferences. People from throughout the U.S. and from different countries have come to MORC to be trained in Gentle Teaching.

In addition to offering hands-on training at MORC training locations in Auburn Hills and Clinton Township, Michigan, MORC staff have also frequently traveled to other locations and organizations to provide tailored workshops and conferences on Gentle Teaching.

CARF (formerly known as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) has commended MORC for its Gentle Teaching philosophy, stating that it “focuses on the effectiveness of positive, nurturing communication approaches.”

For more information about MORC Gentle Teaching, please call (586) 263-8919 or (248) 276-8164.