In-Service Workshops

We all have sensory processing preferences, but it becomes an issue if these preferences interfere with typical functioning and interactions. In this workshop you will gain a deeper understanding of what sensory integration is and why it is important. We will look at the eight sensory systems and sensory processing difficulties within each system. We will then examine some Ideas for re-creating more sensory-friendly environments in Preschool through Grade 2 classrooms.

Instagram, Snapchat, and Facebook foster a culture of peer comparison and entice users to stay online longer than they intend, which can foster discouraging or negative feelings. Snapchat locations and Instagram stories cause FOMO (Fear of Missing Out), contributing to anxiety, depression, and loneliness. Teachers and parents will learn individual and group strategies to optimize students' use of social media.

Creating a trauma-sensitive classroom fosters an environment for all students to learn because educators are uniquely positioned to help students overcome challenges and build resilience. Participants will review preliminary information and definition of terms and explore ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) before delving into academic instruction techniques and relationship building for teaching students impacted by trauma. This workshop will also examine misconceptions about trauma, the effect trauma has on the brain, and review common challenges when working with students impacted by trauma. Participants will have an opportunity to share and reflect on their current practices and to learn ways to improve their self-care to ensure that the classroom is a safe space for all learners to grow.

Are you stressed? This can often be due to workload, the type of work you’re doing and relationships with your colleagues. This interactive workshop will explore solutions to all three of those issues, getting you to explore what your personal stress points are and giving you the tools you need to come up with a plan to reduce or even eliminate them.

Students identified with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), formerly known as Asperger's Syndrome, present behaviors that require more subtle and relationship-oriented interventions compared to an ABA approach. This presentation reviews some of the challenges inherent in this diagnostic profile, including addressing the question as to what interventions are necessary. Also detailed are social skills challenges those students encounter, with specifics addressing young students needs vs. adolescents.

This presentation is designed to inspire and empower general education teachers, special education teachers, specialists, and administrators to help students achieve their potential through compassionate collaborative strategies that address the whole child. We will talk about appreciating neurodiversity, proactive strategies for supporting students, cultivating partnerships with parents, interdisciplinary collaboration, and responding rather than reacting to challenging situations. The goal is to promote consistent mindsets and approaches across the district and to provide educational experiences that are supportive, student-focused, and reflective of today’s educational challenges.

This presentation, designed for parents of student-athletes, will provide guidance on how to encourage commitment and determination while remaining mindful of the pressures and demands these players face both on and off the field.

This professional development session is designed to strengthen collaboration, communication, and trust among staff members. “Team Building 101” provides a foundational look at what makes teams thrive in a school or organizational setting. Through interactive exercises, reflective discussions, and practical strategies, participants will explore team dynamics, clarify roles, and learn effective methods for conflict resolution and decision-making. Whether you're part of an administrative team, instructional staff, or support services, this session offers tools to enhance teamwork, boost morale, and create a more cohesive, supportive work environment. This workshop is for teachers, school administrators, or other school staff.

This interactive training will enhance staff's understanding of the reasons behind students' behavior and how they can help their students achieve their goals. The training will cover practical student support strategies that are proactive, compassionate, and student-centered and the importance of responding to behavior with consistency and predictability in the classroom. Participants will explore how to approach their work with a neurodiversity affirming approach and how to effectively flow through challenging situations. This workshop is offered as a single session, multiple sessions, half-day training, or full-day training.

This workshop helps each participant understand what barrier behaviors they have in their personal “Awkward Zone™” — that place of knowing a co-worker or employee is struggling but not knowing what to say or do.