Dawn M. Geoppinger, Part-time Instructor
What I Teach at PCC
My classes at Portland Community College explore healing, presence, and resilience through both reflection and embodied practice. Each course blends guided learning with practical tools students can use in everyday life.
About Me
Dawn M. Geoppinger is a certified grief educator and somatic practitioner with over 20 years of leadership experience in public service and higher education. She specializes in nervous system–informed healing for students navigating the death of a loved one and other life transitions.
Through guided somatic practices, reflection, and compassionate education, Dawn creates steady, trauma-informed spaces where students can restore emotional regulation and reconnect with themselves—without rushing the process.
Dawn is the founder of The Embodied Grief Journey? and teaches both at Portland Community College and online. You can explore current PCC offerings through the class schedule, or join her email list for future class announcements. Questions about course content are always welcome. You may contact me through PCC or by email at dawn.geoppinger@pcc.edu.
Dawn M. Geoppinger
Why PCC?
I teach through Portland Community College because I believe education should be accessible, community-rooted, and grounded in lifelong learning.
What You’ll Experience in Class
Students can expect:
- Guided somatic practices
- Practical nervous system education
- Gentle reflection prompts
- Optional sharing (never required)
- A steady, trauma-informed environment
Who These Classes Are For
These classes are designed for adults navigating change, stress, loss, or simply a desire to live with greater presence and steadiness. They may be especially supportive for those who:
- Are moving through a life transition
- Feel unsettled or overwhelmed and want practical regulation tools
- Are exploring personal growth through writing or nature-based practices
- Value reflective learning in a structured, educational setting
- Want community without pressure to share personal details
No prior experience with writing, gardening, or somatic practices is required. Just curiosity and a willingness to learn.
Current & Upcoming PCC Classes
Writing Through Loss for Healing
Learn to write your way through loss and renewal. Through guided prompts, discussion, and reflection, participants transform personal experiences into meaningful stories of healing and growth. No prior writing experience is required—just a willingness to explore.
Gardening for Presence and Healing
Discover how simple gardening practices foster presence, resilience, and well-being. Using mindfulness and somatic tools, this class explores how connecting with nature can relieve stress, regulate the nervous system, and support personal healing.