WORKSHOPS
Instructional Strategies & Teaching Techniques
Co-Teaching Instructional Strategies
Co-teaching is more than just a buzz word used in education, it is a delicate dance between teaching professionals. Co-teaching provides classroom teachers with assistance in the development, delivery, and evaluation of effective instructional programs. It provides specialists with critical in- formation about classroom setting demands, teacher expectations, and current student performance levels. This knowledge enables specialists to provide more appropriate recommendations regarding the instructional procedures that are most likely to benefit all students particularly those with disabilities and many of their low-achieving peers. Co- teaching fosters ongoing support, collaborative problem solving, and professional development for both teachers.
The I.E.P. Autopsy
Scaffolding is an instructional technique, associated with the Zone of Proximal Development, in which a teacher provides individualized support by incrementally improving a learner’s ability to build on prior knowledge. Scaffolding is a learning process designed to promote a deeper level of learning. It is the support given during the learning process which is tailored to the needs of the student with the intention of helping the student achieve his/her learning goals. Instructional scaffolding is the provision of sufficient support to promote learning when concepts and skills are being first introduced to students.
Writing Defensible I.E.P.s
I.E.P.s are the blueprint of specially designed instruction. Full-day workshop: This training explains the common difficulties teachers and districts encounter in the development of I.E.P.s and Special Education Programs. The session cites court cases and explains the relevance to the Case Conference and I.E.P. process.
Practical
Strategies
for Special
Education
Paraprofessionals in Inclusive and Self-Contained Classrooms
This presentation will define the role of a paraprofessional and demystify the myths of their previous and current roles. Participants will actively engage in strategies for use within Inclusion and Self-Contained classrooms.
SRA – Corrective Reading Training
A workshop to provide an overview of the three strands addressing Reading, Language Arts, and Literature through a common instructional design that helps students learn more efficiently. The training will also outline the development of skills in the comprehension component progressing from comprehending oral language to comprehending written material. Skills are first taught in structured exercises that are controlled by the teacher.
Later, students are shown how to apply the skills independently to complex written materials.
Using Technology to Strengthen Student Learning
With so many students coming to school behind in their learning, how might we use technology to help them make the gains necessary to catch up to grade level expectations in record time? With so many options, how do we decide which tools are most effective for 21st century skill building and learning, and can also help us make the most of every minute we have with our students? In this seminar, you will receive practical, easy-to-use strategies for infusing effective technology tools into your K-6 learning environment. This highly practical seminar will focus on ways to increase student engagement and learning through technology integration. It will also help you rethink the technology you might already use and refresh your skills through the newest, most innovative, free, or low-cost technology resources available to boost your students' progress. You will receive an extensive technology digital resource handbook with all the tools and apps presented in this seminar.
Technology Integration & Innovation
Applying Accommodations and Modifications Incorporating Technology
This training will focus on defining and practicing different types of accommodations, as well as, identify the differences between accommodations and modifications. Additionally, participants will demonstrate practical applications and strategies for providing accommodations and modifications to students
Organizational Technology: Tools for Success
Middle school and high school students often struggle to stay organized. In this presentation, focused on upper elementary through high school students, attendees are given different technology tools and strategies that will be helpful to keep them organized and successful in school.
Using AI Tools to Enhance Student Learning and Increase Teacher Productivity
In this workshop educators will learn to embrace Artificial Intelligence tools in their classroom and be given practical strategies to make the most of all the tools and resources provided. Teachers will focus on ways to increase student engagement and learning through AI integration. It will also help ease worries about what this technology means for the future of education!
Student Support & Inclusion
The Why of D.E.I.
Schools have always been interested in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.), but the work has taken on renewed meaning as student populations grow increasingly diverse in every way: race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, language, religion, sexual orientation,
gender identity, special needs and MORE. This presentation is an introduction to teaching
from a culturally responsive approach to help students and staff thrive educationally.
English
Language
Learners
and the Role of WIDA to Support Struggling Students
This training will provide teachers with research based strategies to identify and differentiate between academic discrepancies that are a result of boundaries in language acquisition and those that are a result of a learning disability, making it easier for teachers to identify whether a child’s situation is appropriate to be referred to problem solving, or if language proficiency based instructional strategies should be incorporated into lessons.
The strategies that can be used to increase academic performance of English Language Learners in the general education and special education classroom along with explanation of how WIDA standards should be applied to planning.
Social Emotional Learning: The Parental Guide
This is an introduction to social emotional learning for parents or staff supporting kids. This presentation will explore some common red flags in kids’ emotional well being, how to support them, and where to get additional support.
Knowledge is Power
The special education process is long and complicated. This is an introduction into the world of IEPs and 504s for parents and all advocates.
Behavior, Discipline, & Equity
CHAMPS Behavior Management
This program is perfect for schools who are beginning their journey with the CHAMPS Behavior Management Program. Designed to start your school year in a series of two trainings for first and second year teachers. Trainings will focus on the “why” of a positive and proactive behavior management approach. Educators will be walked through the process of creating and utilizing a classroom management system.
Equitable Discipline & Alternatives to Suspension
The development of effective systems for school discipline requires a broad set of resources. The intent of this session is to support schools in their movement towards more effective, evidence-based methods of behavior management and school discipline for all students. These considerations are offered for staff at the classroom level as well as administrators at the school and district level.
Building Relationships and Restorative Practices
In today’s educational landscape, connecting with your students is imperative for true success in the classroom. This workshop focuses on the why of teaching, creating an environment of respect and rapport, and Restorative Justice practices in the classroom.
Often given in conjunction with CHAMPS trainings, this session will help teachers reduce the negative behaviors in the classroom and create a more welcoming classroom and school culture.
Leadership & Support Staff Development
Supervising Paraeducators in School Settings:
A Team Approach
When a teacher and paraeducator work in the same classroom, they share responsibilities, workloads, successes, and challenges. Although there are many benefits to teaming, sharing instructional space creates some level of anxiety in both parties. This workshop would identify some tasks or issues that, if discussed prior to working together in the same classroom, can ease the tension and create a climate of mutual respect among teachers and paraeducators.
Strengthening Your Co-Teaching:
Practical Ideas for Improving Student Success (Grades K-12)
This timely seminar by outstanding presenter Yamiley Jean-Simon is filled with new, effective, updated co-teaching approaches and clear implementation methods. Teaching today's increasingly diverse student population,
including students with disabilities or other special needs, comes with the challenge of meeting the needs of all students, without neglecting any of them. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this goal is to partner professionals
through co-teaching.
In this lively, interactive seminar you will learn the keys for general education teachers and specialists to successfully
co-teach in the same classroom or shared teaching space. You will also learn dozens of practical tips, including new, innovative ideas for implementing the co-teaching models, collaborative lesson planning, efficient use of precious class time, and working with a wide range of student ability levels in the classroom. This outstanding seminar will also include proven instructional strategies for use within co-teaching partnerships.
You will leave this seminar with dozens of highly practical, effective strategies and a co-teaching digital resource handbook to help improve your effectiveness in meeting the needs of all your students. You will be equipped with many new ideas for creating a more dynamic and effective co-taught classroom that fosters greater student success.
January 9 and January 15, 2026
March 16 and March 31, 2026
Live Online Seminars &
Recorded Versions
Presented through the
Bureau of Education and Research
Using AI Tools to Enhance Student Learning and
Increase Teacher Productivity
This one-day seminar with outstanding educator A.J. Galli will present the many benefits of embracing Artificial Intelligence tools in your classroom, and practical strategies to make the most of all the tools and resources provided. This highly practical seminar will focus on ways to increase student engagement and learning through AI integration. It will also help ease your worries about what this technology means for the future of education. You will receive an extensive digital resource handbook with tools and resources to help you implement all the strategies presented in this innovative one-day seminar!
Grades K - 2
January 22 and January 28, 2026
Grades 3 - 6
January 8 and January 16, 2026
March 19 and March 25, 2026
April 20, 2026
Using AI Tools to Enhance Student Learning and
Increase Teacher Productivity
In this NEW seminar by outstanding special education teacher Renita Craig, learn the value of artificial intelligence (AI) for more time efficient assessments, progress monitoring, interventions, and productivity! Find out how AI may help you create differentiated lessons and more easily create accommodations and modifications, while meeting the needs of individual students. Make every day count in your practice with the use of AI in ways that will enhance student learning and lighten your resource teacher workload. The use of AI offers innovative new methods to increase instructional time and decrease time spent on required documentation and administrative tasks.
This seminar is designed to provide you with practical, actionable strategies and skills you can immediately implement as a special education teacher. Join Renita for a highly practical day filled with ways to make best use of AI tools to strengthen your students' learning, enhance your instruction, and improve your own productivity— tools and resources that you as a special education resource teacher can put into practice the very next day!
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