In-Service Workshops

Get familiar with the newly revised English Language Development Framework (WIDA 2020) Standards, gaining practical insights and strategies to effectively support the linguistic and academic development of multilingual learners. This is an overview of the key elements of the framework including what has changed, what has remained, and how it applies to K-12 educators with multilingual learners.

Helping schools – teachers and staff manage hot moments and difficult conversations that arise due to current events or an incident that has occurred at a school. This workshop helps schools prepare prior to an incident.

This workshop details the truth about the alarming effects of marijuana on the developing adolescent brain and how marijuana use may negatively impact concentration, attention, motivation, and mood. In addition, this workshop highlights the legalities of marijuana and the role of school policies.

The Young Adult Speaker program is geared for youth grades 6+ and features young adults who provide educational programs built around lived experiences. Through sharing their experience with a mental health condition and related crisis, they challenge negative stereotypes, give hope and skills to audience members, and encourage students to reach out for help. Students also learn the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and conditions, negative versus positive coping skills, the similarities between mental health and physical illness, the language and skills needed to have a conversation about mental health, and how to create a supportive school environment. This is facilitated through Minding Your Mind.

Teachers and parents will learn the “Power Down for Presence” process, proven to increase attention and focus for more efficient and productive homework time. As the ubiquity of the 24/7 digital world increases, the appeal of technology becomes even greater. The brain science supports the power of mindfulness to pause one’s use of technology and be present for greater mental and brain health. This workshop shares evidence-based research tools and skills.

In this workshop, you will explore your personal and professional motivation and happiness. Rate your current state and brainstorm on how to increase these. We will also discuss internal vs. external motivation and the Platinum Rule. Learn how to tap into others’ motivation and happiness too!

Learn how to communicate and partner effectively with multilingual families. We will move beyond conferences and share techniques to build true engagement.

The opioid crisis has affected countless people and continues to put young people at risk. This presentation examines the basics of opioids- what this classification of drugs is, why opioid addiction is unique, the history of our present epidemic, the importance of education and emergent care in an overdose situation.

This workshop reviews the challenges and dangerous situations that may arise through use of the internet, social media, and smartphones. It is important for school staff and parents to be aware of the popular apps, social media sites, and programs used by youth online. This workshop explains the issues and possible consequences of cyberbullying, sexting, and revealing identifying information to strangers.

To truly understand the roots of behavior, it is essential that educators understand what is happening in a student's body when they are anxious or stressed. Anxiety presents in different ways, and we all predictably have a stress response of fight/flight/freeze. This workshop will help participants identify the difference between an anxiety disorder and basic stress and explore ways to best support students. An emphasis on how to integrate social/emotional support into a school setting, along with how to address oppositional behavior, school refusal, work avoidance, and bullying, will be explored through the lens of anxiety.