I respectfully stand on the shoulders of others who have inspired me through this process, and encouraged me to take on the mantle of mentor.
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These women, and many more, have contributed to my path-
and now yours, as you begin increasing your knowledge in the
support of the birthing people we serve.
Invitation to Collaborate
Evolution Perinatal Education Collaborative has been created to evolve a rich legacy of passion for impactful childbirth educator training, by bringing enrichment workshops to our contemporary birth community. I am following in the footsteps of the Boston Association for Childbirth Education, who crystallized in 1953 to provide much needed childbirth education classes, and training for those who aspired to teach them, at a time when birthing people were beginning to empower themselves with information and preparation.
I will act to:
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Ensure my curriculum is current, evidence-based, and immediately useful to those that choose to learn alongside me
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Strengthen those in Evolution training programs to achieve their goals in bringing comprehensive childbirth education to their communities, through meaningful knowledge assessment and certification processes
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Build bridges with others doing important work in our larger birth community, amplify the historically unacknowledged voices, and to feature a diverse representation of experts in each of their fields to enrich us all​​
Additionally, I am researching opportunities to provide ongoing professional development for doulas and CBEs with continuing education contact hours (CE/CEUs). As I gather ideas, I welcome your contribution!
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Shari McBurney, Ideator and Lead Faculty
I've worked hard to become a familiar name in the Eastern Massachusetts birth community: certified childbirth educator, 11-year member of Boston Association for Childbirth Education leadership and certification team, TOLABOR-certified Birth Doula with over 700 births attended, Spinning Babies Certified Parent Educator, and now ideator of Evolution Perinatal Education Collaborative.
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I've got a powerful passion for being a resource for parents and the birth professionals that support them, increasing access to evidence-based information to support participants in navigating the maternity care system from varying perspectives. I bring previous professional experience in instructional design and adult learning theory, affording her an engaging style in presenting topics ranging from childbirth education for expectant families to professional mentorship for existent birth professionals.
Wherever I go, Lorenza Holt is my biggest champion, and Evolution Perinatal Education Collaborative's faculty emeritus. Though she is no longer an active facilitator for Childbirth Educator Training, she motivates and inspires educators and faculty members alike with her knowledge and passion for healthy equity and prioritization of normal birth. Amongst her many achievements, Lorenza is one of a very special few certified Trainers for Spinning Babies; certified doula trainer for DONA; former Executive Director for BACE; and with her Masters of Public Health, she is also on the Advisory Board for Massachusetts Association of Community Health Workers (MACHW) driving for the training of community perinatal health workers, along with important work with alongside MassHealth and the MA Doula Coalition.
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Lorenza serves as a consultant for Evolution Perinatal Education Collaborative.
Lorenza Holt
Kathy Beans
Kathy Beans led Childbirth Educator Training Workshops with Boston Association for Childbirth Education for many years, and was first my certifier in 2013, and then my employer at Newton Wellesley Hospital for many years.
She is uniquely qualified to evaluate the prowess of any prospective educator, recently retired from her post of Director of the Wellness Center and Childbirth Education at Newton Wellesley Hospital. A veteran L&D nurse, Kathy is certified through Lamaze (LCCE) and has earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
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Kathy serves as a consultant for Evolution Perinatal Education Collaborative.
Daniella Nowicki
Certified Childbirth Educator
Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Doula
Nurtured Nature
Princeton, MA
I am so happy to recommend Shari and her thoughtfully designed training to anyone. In 2 decades of being birth obsessed I have taken so many trainings, read an unbelievable amount of literature, listened to so many impassioned and skilled birth advocates and witnessed and supported nearly 400 births myself. This has left me with so much information. Information I struggled to organize, validate, and share effectively until I landed in Shari’s class. Her training and mentorship empowered me to refine my research skills, develop engaging curriculum, format and entire class or series and deliver evidence-based information in a fun and accessible way. I trained with Shari in 2020 and now in 2024 I confidently teach both private classes and work as a childbirth education instructor for a major Boston area hospital. I teach a variety of specific and general classes and consistently receive reviews that my classes are inclusive, comprehensive and FUN. I am so proud to be part of the change I wish to see in the birth world and grateful for Shari's guidance in helping me achieve my goals. Peace on Earth starts with birth.
Alyssa Sylvester
Owner
Saltwater Doulas
A Perinatal Support Collective
Amesbury, MA
I had the pleasure of training with Shari when she was leading the BACE Childbirth Education program, she was and still is truly phenomenal. From the very start, her engaging, fun, and brilliant approach to teaching made a lasting impression on me. Shari didn’t just cover the basics—she shaped my entire understanding of childbirth education, giving me strong fundamentals and inspiring me as a teacher.
Her follow-up and attentiveness were key in helping me complete the training and earn my childbirth education certificate. I’ve now been teaching for several years, and Shari has continued to be a vital support system, mentor, and role model for me. Her guidance has been invaluable, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have learned from her.
Bec Conant
Founder and Director
OmBirths
Author, Yoga Program Leader, Certified Childbirth Educatior in Hypnobirthing, Spinning Babies and more
E-RYT 500, RPYT, HBCE, BCCE, SpBCPE
Framingham, MA
Shari has such a wonderful way of teaching and training. Her training not only helped me understand how to craft a comprehensive childbirth class, but also taught me how to develop my own teaching voice and speak authentically to the birth experience, all while checking my own biases so I could reach all birthing people. In depth and explorative, this was the training that finally left me feeling capable of creating my own class in my own voice! You get more than a static curriculum with this one, you get an understanding of how to actually teach!
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Rophe Mason
Co-Founder
Eden Birth Services
Certified Childbirth Educator, Doula
South Shore, MA
Learning from Shari was one of the highlights of my birth worker career. The insight she had into how to effectively teach Childbirth Education was pivotal in my growth as a doula and educator myself. Shari's knowledge and care can be felt in each session. She encourages you to find your own voice and style, while staying true to the evidence-based needs of parents today. I am grateful to have learned from her and will continue to use her as a resource for continuing my own education.
Amber Matteson
Owner
Intimate Connections Doula Services
Private Childbirth Educator,
Doula and Perinatal Services
South Shore, MA
I had the great pleasure of having Shari as a teacher through BACE. As an experienced doula and educator, I wanted to be able to brush up my childbirth classes, and this program was highly recommended because of her teaching. I was thrilled with the class content! Shari has mastered the art of teaching to teachers. She's captured the importance of both helping folks learn content while balancing that with creating engaging educators. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to learn from Shari!
Megan Peasley
Founder/Owner
Illuminated Birth
Childbirth Education Classes, Doula Support, Birth Photography, & Community
Acton, MA
Shari was my teacher for the BACE training in Spring of 2022. Thanks to her engaging and thorough curriculum, I came out of my training ready to start teaching classes right away. Her knowledge of birth is deep, as is her understanding of how to build a great class. She knows how to help you become the sort of teacher who not only makes a difference in your students’ birth prep, but who can do so in a fun, approachable way. She’s very well respected in the Boston birth community for a reason and I feel lucky to have been her student. I can’t recommend her childbirth education training enough! If you want to become a childbirth educator, Shari is the person you want to be your teacher and mentor!