Pathways Certification

September 2025 Cohort

The TCK Training pathway to providing excellent TCK care

Those who attend and complete this course will receive a TCK Caregiving Certification from TCK Training. Pathways consists of 11 units of training with readings, recordings, live sessions, assignments, and assessments. We estimate that it will take 10 hours per week to attend the live sessions and complete the assignments.
Students have 3 excused absences, but must watch the recording and still complete the assignments for the week. Students could also make up a week during the next semester.

Early bird discount ends July 9, 2025.
Registration closes August 9, 2025.

Discount Information

Bring Your Team
10% discount for a TCK caregiving team of 2 or more, contact info@tcktraining.com for more information.

Debrief Certification Training
Included in this course is a Debrief Certification from TCK Training. If you have already completed debrief certification through TCK Training, please contact info@tcktraining.com for information about completing Pathways at a discounted rate.

Enrollment Policy

To hold live trainings, we require a minimum of 5 participants. If the minimum is not reached, you will have the option to choose one of the following:
  • Receive a Refund
  • Join a Future Cohort
  • Receive Website Credit
Format

Online
Course

Dates

Sept 9 - Dec 9,
2025

Class Times

Tuesdays
7-10 pm EST

Debrief Certification Week

Dec 1-5,
7-10 pm EST Everyday

Duration

11 units
13 Weeks

Price

$3500 USD

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Related Resources:

Week

Week 1
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Unit 5
Unit 6
Unit 7
Unit 8
Unit 9
Unit 10
Unit 11
Week 13

Topic

Orientation
TCK Care Foundations
Knowing Yourself as a Caregiver
Your Role Within an Organization
TCK Flow of Care
Supporting Parents of TCKs
Age-Based TCK Care
Educational Planning
Pre-Departure Training
TCKs on the Field
TCKs in Transition
Debrief Certification Training
Celebration Ceremony

Meet the instructors

—

Lauren Wells

Chief Executive Officer

Lauren is the Founder and CEO of TCK Training and author of Raising Up a Generation of Healthy Third Culture Kids, What Made That Feel So Hard: The Unstacking Method, and more. An Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK) who spent her teenage years living in Tanzania, East Africa, Lauren has worked with over 1,000 parents and TCK caregivers and has trained staff from over 80 organizations. 

Elizabeth Smith

TCK Training - Chief Operations Officer

Author of The Practice of Processing, Elizabeth is a skilled communicator and trauma-informed educator who helps transform abstract concepts into practical steps, equipping, encouraging, and empowering people to reach their goals. Elizabeth is a mom of two worldschooling TCKs.

Jessi Bullis

TCK Training Director of Adult TCK Services and Marketing

Jessi is an Adult TCK who grew up in Singapore, England, Turkey, and Germany. She has a heart and passion for TCKs and the unique struggles they face. She received her undergraduate in psychology and a seminary degree in counseling for the purpose of caring for TCKs well.

Tanya Crossman

TCK Training of Research & Educational Services

Tanya is an Adult TCK from a corporate background and a leading expert in the field of modern Third Culture Kids and issues facing cross-cultural families, with nearly 20 years of hands-on experience. She is the author of Misunderstood: The Impact of Growing Up Overseas in the 21st Century and co-author of Thongs or Flip Flops? Australian kids overseas and what comes next. Tanya's key roles at TCK Training are providing services to international schools and leading our research work, along with presenting virtually and in-person around the world. Learn more about Tanya's work at tanyacrossman.com.

Anna Danforth

TCK Training Presenter

Anna Danforth grew up in Cameroon as a TCK where she developed a passion to help global families thrive overseas. She holds a degree in secondary French education and an MAED in Instruction and Curriculum. She married her high school sweetheart from DR Congo and they raised their two kids in Lesotho and South Africa. Anna and her husband work in education, job skills training, job creation, and agriculture.  Anna is the author of Raising a Family Overseas and Sam's Roommate Disaster.

Christy Carmean

TCK Training Operations Manager

Christy has spent the last 10 years living in West Central Africa. During the day, she works as the Principal of an Elementary School for expat kids in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Christy was a Pathways student in 2022 and loved it so much that she starting working for TCK Training last year.  She now overseas all of the Certification Courses and many of the day to day details as the Operations Manager.  Christy is the mom of 3 TCKs and has a 1-year old granddaughter.

Bret Taylor

Interaction International

Bret Taylor has been working with Missionary Kids and other TCKs since 1999. His background includes youth ministry, classroom teaching, school administration and organizational operations. In each role his legacy is strategically developing and executing new initiatives. As the President/CEO of Interaction International, he continues his passion for training and advising individuals and organizations in ways to enhance their "Flow of Care."

Sheryl O'Bryan

Interaction International

Sheryl O'Bryan has been working with TCKs since 1988. She has served as a social studies, English, and French teacher, as well as a dorm parent relief at a TCK boarding school in Africa. She has also worked as the TCK Care and Education Specialist for her sending organization and in broader member care and training during her nearly 16 years there. Sheryl currently serves at Interaction International as the Director of TCK Services, Communications, and the Student Teaching And Global Experience (STAGE). Sheryl lives in Florida with her dad and her labradoodle, Mr. Bingley.

Chris O'Shaughnessy

Christopher O’Shaughnessy is a passionate and versatile speaker, comedian, and author who uses a unique blend of story-telling, humor, and provocative insight to engage a wide array of people on topics ranging from Third Culture Kids and the effects of globalization to building community and increasing empathy. Chris’ book, Arrivals, Departures and the Adventures In-Between, has received high praise from students, teachers, and other experts in the TCK and international community as a resource that is both enjoyable to read at a student level, and able to instill truths, insights and skills essential to navigating life successfully as a TCK. Born in England as a military brat to American parents, Chris has lived and worked across the globe and to date has ventured to more than 100 countries. 

Melissa Shipman

PACE
Dr. Melissa Shipman serves as the Executive Director of PACE, a professional association that trains and equips TCK education personnel. Melissa is also the co-founder and Principal of Learnwell Collective, which offers homeschool support and community to families all over the world. She served overseas first as a teacher, and later as a TCK education consultant with SHARE Education Services. Melissa lives with her husband and two daughters north of Atlanta, Georgia.


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