In-Service Workshops

This 90-minute workshop allows participants to have an honest conversation about conflict; specifically, this discussion explores having difficult conversations but also having difficult conversations with difficult people. There is a difference between the two, but both can be challenging! The presenter provides an honest conversation and tips to increase your confidence when it comes to engaging in these types of conversations, even for the most conflict avoidant individuals. You have the Competence, Now Own Your Confidence!

What is self-regulation and why is there so much discussion about it recently. We will look at how the pandemic may have interrupted the development of needed skills in some young children, as well as the importance of teaching and supporting self-regulation skills. Two self-regulation classroom curriculums will be introduced. This workshops is recommended for Preschool through Grade 2 staff.

The Growth Mindset model was developed by psychologist Carol Dweck more than 20 years ago. It has proven itself to be a very effective way of helping students of all ages manage the challenges of any skill or task, including how to cope with imperfections and mistakes. Perhaps a good way of describing this model is to throw away the adage “Practice makes perfect” and instead say “Practice makes progress.” The Growth Mindset model addresses this, and this presentation covers how it does so. This workshop is 75 – 90 minutes.

This engaging and interactive presentation helps students explore the impact of screen time on their mental, physical, and emotional health. Participants will learn to recognize the signs of unhealthy screen habits and discover practical strategies for finding a healthy balance between digital life and real-life activities. Through real-world examples, group discussions, and self-reflection, students will gain insight into how screen time affects sleep, relationships, academic performance, and overall well-being. This workshop emphasizes mindful technology use and encourages the development of daily habits that support a more balanced and fulfilling lifestyle.

1 in 3 teens experience teen dating violence, that we know of. Many teens experience shame and hide their relationships from their support systems. Teen relationship dynamics are heavily influenced by media, family, and peers. The dynamics that teens are learning from are not always healthy but can shape what a healthy relationship looks like to them. In this session we will be discussing healthy, unhealthy, and abusive teen relationships. Participants will be learning skills to recognize, respond, and support youth. Although these are hard conversations to have, they are important for growth and healing.

Russ Terry has been documenting a different expression of gratitude every day for ALMOST ELEVEN YEARS, since 12/10/12. These almost 4,000 straight days of being grateful have had an infinitely positive impact on his life. In this workshop, he will teach you how you can use gratitude to improve your life too. As a result of attending, you will articulate up to 20 unique expressions of gratitude and the lessons you learned from being grateful.

"Who wants to get suspended?" This one-hour workshop engages current/graduating high school seniors' and provides them with honest/"real world" information about college success OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM, in RESIDENCE HALLS, and WORKING WITH COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION. This interactive conversation emphasizes safety, what to expect when you get to college, and community expectations including but not limited to alcohol and other drugs, noise, damage, and all the typical things that plainly speaking, first-year college students find themselves getting into trouble with. This workshop can also be done for high school administration and designed to encourage practitioners to think about what information they most want students to understand as they prepare for higher education.

This highly engaging presentation guides high school students through the steps to becoming proactive and positive bystanders. After the session, students will be able to recognize high-risk situations, reach out to friends or resources, and pledge to help keep campuses and communities safe.

With an increasing number of children experiencing elevated anxiety levels, this workshop aims to support parents in identifying red flags, symptoms, and indicators that their child(ren) may be struggling to regulate and manage big feelings. We will explore the difference between developmental expectations and challenges vs. signs of elevated anxiety, along with the role the brain plays in the experience of emotion, and ways to help support and co-regulate with our children when they are struggling. Finally, we will review ways to proactively communicate with our kids in order to promote healthy understanding and expression of all emotions. This workshop is available for staff and parents.

Explore digital wellness from a student perspective as a young scholar and psychology researcher at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill will bring to life the story, science, and voice of Generation Z in a digital era. This workshop involves an interactive, collaborative style of learning that involves elements of Keegan's personal advocacy journey, an in-depth summary of how the brain reacts to social media, and how the social media algorithm is wired to engage attention. Keegan will highlight the importance of human connection in a growing digital era, and how parents and educators can promote a healthy tech/life balance.