For five days, Puerto de la Cruz wasn’t just a beautiful spot on the map — it became a shared space of learning, reflection, and connection for TeneLearning, RCT Zagreb, and the Forum for Educational Changes. We came together to explore wellbeing and trauma-informed practices in education, combining hands-on training with morning Pilates sessions, informal chats over coffee, and some seriously good lunches. It wasn’t just about ticking boxes on a schedule — it was about building real relationships, sharing what works (and what doesn’t), and finding common ground across borders.


We started with a warm and thoughtful welcome from the TeneLearning team, who set the tone for the entire week — relaxed, open, and full of good energy. They also shared a presentation about their work and local context, which gave us a great sense of where we were and who we were collaborating with. The Rehabilitation Centre for Stress and Trauma also briefly introduced their work, mission, and the ways in which they support vulnerable groups through psychosocial and educational programmes.

The TeneLearning team led two excellent workshops: one on the importance of wellbeing for educators and adult learners, and another on mindfulness and meditation techniques to reduce stress. These sessions were not just informative — they were grounding. We wrapped up with a guided meditation and personal reflection, giving everyone a chance to slow down, tune in, and think about how all this applies to our daily work.


We continued exploring trauma-informed practices. We looked at how trauma can show up in adult learners — how it can impact focus, motivation, and overall engagement — and why understanding this is key to creating truly inclusive learning environments. A series of empathy-building exercises reminded us that empathy isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a daily practice, and something all of our workplaces could use a bit more of. We wrapped up the day with a rich, honest discussion around recognizing trauma and sharing experiences — one of the most insightful and meaningful moments of the entire week.

Building on that, we moved into sharing real experiences around staff wellbeing. This opened up an honest and sometimes eye-opening discussion about the kinds of support we all need (and too often lack). We followed that with group work to identify challenges and brainstorm practical support strategies for our organizations.


As part of our focus on stress reduction, we explored mindfulness and meditation techniques. While some of us were giving beach Pilates a go for the first time, others were happily building on what they already knew — all of us enjoying the sea breeze and mindful movement.

The activities ended with some creative thinking around how we could implement mindfulness in our own educational settings — some of us may or may not have googled "how to buy a yoga mat in bulk" later that evening.


We learned about solution-focused brief therapy and got to try out some of the methods through simulations. We also gave Tension and Trauma Release Exercises (TRE) a go — an eye-opening experience into how our bodies hold and release stress. This helped bridge the gap between theory and real-life application. We engaged in plenty of group work, creating our own action plans — a mix of serious brainstorming, shared insights, lots of laughter, and of course, plenty of sticky notes.


By the last day, conversations flowed easier and everyone felt more connected. We kicked off with a group discussion on how wellbeing and trauma-informed practices are (or aren't) implemented in our organizations, followed by a workshop on sharing effective methods and strategies. The Forum for Educational Changes also shared a thoughtful presentation and exchange of practices from their work, giving us concrete examples of how trauma awareness is being integrated into real educational settings.

The final working session focused on how to bring all this into workshops, trainings, and seminars back home. We also held a coordination meeting, where we discussed the next steps in project implementation and further strengthened our collaboration.


And finally — under the sunny skies of Tenerife — we held a certificate ceremony outside, celebrated the journey we’d shared, and agreed to keep the cooperation between TeneLearning, RCT Zagreb, and the Forum for Educational Changes alive and growing.

Five days, three organizations, countless new ideas — and yes, maybe a few sunburns along the way. But more than anything, we’re walking away with fresh perspectives, practical tools, and a deeper sense of what it means to support both learners and ourselves in meaningful, sustainable ways. This week reminded us that professional growth doesn’t have to be stiff or formal — it can happen during a workshop, over coffee, or during a group stretch on the terrace. Here’s to continuing this collaboration, staying curious, and building a future in education that’s not only more informed, but also more compassionate, connected, and just a little bit more human.