Project Description:
Dr. Chris Knowles will complete the following:
• Design and facilitate four professional development sessions on dates that are to be determined by both parties. Each session will occur in-person and can range from 2-3.5 hours for up to 50 participants at each session. Session options include:
Session 1: Overview of professional responsibilities and evidence-based practices
Audience: New educational assistants
Topics: Roles and responsibilities, confidentiality, communication and collaboration with your supervisor and team, overview of evidence-based instructional and behavior management strategies.
Session 2: Behavior Management and Active Supervision
Audience: New or early career educational assistants (less than 3 years of experience) and EAs with experience who just want a refresher and overview of evidence-based practices. Ideal for those working in elementary settings. I could make it K-12, but supervision on the playground is a big hotspot at the elementary level and doesn't apply to those in secondary settings.
Suggested Topics: Understanding behavioral function, the power of praise, overview of active supervision strategies in unstructured settings, integrating student strengths and interests, and promoting a growth mindset.
Session 3: Skills for supporting students with emotional and behavioral challenges
Audience: Those working within special education programs, EAs who provide support at a schoolwide level (i.e., cafeteria, recess, hallway supervision), those interested to learn specialized strategies to support students experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges. Suggested Topics: Understanding that behavior is communication, prevention strategies, overview of evidence-based positive behavioral support strategies, considerations for building relationships with students who feel challenging, and repairing relationships after a rupture. This training is informed by evidence-based educational practices and counseling psychology.
Session 4: Better Together: Sharpen your school or classroom team dynamics to improve student outcomes
Audience: Whole or partial classroom or school-based teams are invited to this PD opportunity. Learning Objectives: You will learn about how to improve your team functioning as a mechanism for improved student outcomes. The emphasis is on specific, observable strategies for improved communication, collaboration, and promoting staff buy-in. This PD will also discuss how stress influences our interactions with our colleagues paired with suggestions to reduce the negative impacts.
Unserved or Under-served Populations:
Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Limited English, Geographic Areas
