Mindfulness

Course #L1002 In recent years, there is more and more research being uncovered about Happiness. There are ways that we, as educators can become happier people, regardless of life circumstances. There are also strategies that school professionals can use in their classrooms to increase the happiness of their students. In this course, we will learn about some of those techniques – both for ourselves and our students. These important concepts will prove not only relevant for your work with your students but also your general mindset and functioning as an educator. This course is relevant to all who work in schools and with children of all ages in all settings. This course was developed for school administrators, regular and special education teachers (grades K-12 and ages 5 to 21), special area teachers, school, school counselors, guidance counselors, social workers, speech and language therapists and pathologists and occupational and physical therapists. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only

Course Description: The Covid-19 Pandemic changed the world of education.  Yes, it brought unprecedented challenges, but it also revealed the importance of quality classroom instruction and illuminated the limitless efforts of teachers.  We had to adapt, we had to learn new teaching methods, we had to reconstruct our classrooms while, at the same time, care for our loved ones and fear for our safety and that of our students.  Fully remote learning, hybrid instruction, Google’s stamp on academia, heightened sensitivity to germs and coughs and sneezes and unwashed hands were some of the challenges we faced.  Through all of this and more, we prevailed because it’s our job.  We are educators, we are role models, and we are leaders.  And so, as the demands and expectations of education have changed, so have our teaching methods. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore various post-pandemic educational changes and proven strategies and techniques aimed at providing a safe, productive, enriching classroom experience for the students we teach. Applicable to teachers of all subjects/grade levels. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only

Course #L991 Course Description: While there will always be a need for the occasional teacher-driven, lecture-style lesson, the student-centered structure is a must for any modern teacher. The students are the ones who have to learn and master the material and, therefore, the students are the ones who should be doing the work. Instead of sitting passively in their classrooms watching a lesson unfold before them, students should have the opportunity to be active learners, to take a hands-on approach, to have control over their own learning. Teachers enrolled in this course will explore realistic pedagogical methodologies and proven strategies that focus on crafting purposeful student-centered lessons. Note: Applicable to all subjects/grade levels. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only

Course #L997 Course Description: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a research based intervention that has been proven to improve the mental health of children, adolescents and adults. Mental health is increasingly becoming a crucial component of school systems, as children who are suffering emotionally are not available to learn. Additionally, teachers who are overly stressed, anxious and unhappy will not be effective educators. It is therefore extremely important for educators, therapists, administrators, and all school employees to become better advocates of mental health and to learn some basic techniques. In this course, we will learn about some of those techniques. These important concepts will prove not only relevant for your work with your students but also your general mindset and functioning as an educator. This course is relevant to all who work in schools and with children of all ages in all settings. This course was developed for school administrators, regular and special education teachers (grades K-12 and ages 5 to 21),special area teachers, school psychologists, school counselors, guidance counselors, social workers, speech and language therapists and pathologists and occupational and physical therapists. Course Objectives Participants will learn about and research various concepts in cognitive behavioral therapy and how they can be applied to the school setting. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-Service Credit only

Course #L1033 Augmentative and Alternative Communication, or AAC, is a term that’s used to describe various methods of communication that can help people who are unable to use verbal speech to communicate. AAC methods vary and must be personalized to meet each individual’s needs. AAC gives our students with communication difficulties a voice, allowing them to be active participants within all environments. In this course, common AAC devices and applications will be discussed, including TOUCHChat, Proloquo2Go, NOVAChat and LAMP Words for Life. Participants will develop an understanding of Core and Fringe vocabulary. In addition, Partner Augmented Input (PAI) will outlined. At the conclusion of this course, participants will have an understanding by which to utilize their students’ AAC devices into daily classroom and therapeutic practices. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service only

ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) In-service credit only Instructor: Tara McCarney TaraMcCarneyLIIPS@gmail.com Course Description:  The relationship between educators and parents is crucial in a student’s academic success.  It is imperative that educators form a healthy positive form of communication between a child’s home and school environment.  This not only ensures their academic success but also allows both the educator and parent to evaluate the child’s social-emotional well-being as well.  With all of the changes over the years in what the typical American family structure looks like, it is important to obtain a strong level of parental involvement and support. Educators in this course will examine styles of methods for communicating with families.  This class will help educators examine the different types of communication platforms educators can use to engage parents to achieve their support in the education process.  Suitable for all Educator or Service Provider, K - 12

Course #L1020 Creating a framework of safety is critical in students’ lives during a pandemic. Abrupt change can trigger stress and fear in students that can leave scars for decades to come. A student in stress is unable to learn effectively. As schools across the country remain closed, students with trauma, difficult home situations, and anxiety need support now more than ever. Help students feel safe through the three C’s, communication, consistence, and control. ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only  

Course #L1021 Most students feel stressed at times in class, but some might be more vulnerable to stress than others. When stress builds up to severe levels for a child, they may be at risk to develop toxic stress—which can have lasting effects on their social-emotional, behavioral, and physical health. If you can recognize signs of stress in your students, you can provide them with support to help them manage it before it overwhelms them. It will cover an array of topics such as recognizing symptoms of stress, possible reasons for school related stress, stress management techniques, meditation, truancy/suspensions, trauma, and also distinguishing between good vs. bad stress. This class is created for any educator or service provider. Suggested for all Educators K-12. ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) In-service Credit only  

Course #L1023 In this course teachers will learn how to create a POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PLAN for specific students as well as the classroom as a whole, ensuring success for their students. There are many ways to define or explain the concept of POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION. Some of the most common ways include: The application of behavior analysis and systems change perspectives within the context of person-centered values to the intensely social problems created by behaviors such as self-injury, aggression, property destruction, pica, defiance, and disruption A dynamic, problem-solving process involving goal identification, information gathering, hypothesis development, support plan design, implementation, and monitoring An approach that blends values about the rights of people with disabilities with a practical science about how learning and behavior change occur A comprehensive Positive Behavior Support Plan includes a range of intervention strategies that are designed to prevent the problem behavior while teaching socially appropriate alternative behaviors. The goal is an enhanced quality of life for individuals involved and their support providers in a variety of settings. In this course teachers will learn how to create a POSITIVE BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION PLAN for specific students as well as the classroom as a whole, ensuring success for their students. ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only  

Course #L1041 All educators have the essential responsibility of incorporating culturally responsive teaching to their everyday instruction. Culturally responsive teaching makes meaningful connections between the academic curriculum and students’ cultures, languages, and life experiences. This course will provide strategies and tips to create and maintain a culturally responsive classroom. This course is intended for all Educators. ON-LINE (3 credits/45 hours) in-service only

Course #L1043 This course will provide participants with an overview of various anxiety disorders with a focus on: definitions, prevalence, diagnosis, and treatment. Emphasis will be placed on recognition of the behaviors, signs and symptoms that may be observed in the classroom and what accommodations and strategies teachers may use to support their students. This course is appropriate for all educators K-12, ELA, Social Studies, Math, Science, ESL, Special Education, Art and Music, Physical Education, School Psychologists, Guidance Counselors ,Social Workers Speech/Language teachers and therapists, OT & PT’s. Common Core Learning Standards are addressed. This course is important for ALL educators! ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only

Course #L1049 The mental health of students in schools is an often overlooked, yet extremely relevant issue for today’s educator. Educators are often the first to notice mental health problems and are in a unique position to make a difference when it comes to promoting and addressing student mental health concerns in and out of the classroom. Mental disorders: affect a student’s emotional well-being, affect a student’s ability to learn and may be a factor in why some students drop out of school. This course will cover: common mental health disorders, the role of educators to identify warning signs, communicating with parents and supporting students in the classroom. This course is relevant to all who work in schools with children ages 5-21 in both regular and special education settings. This course has been designed for school administrators, regular and special education teachers (grades K-12 and ages 5 to 21),special area teachers (gym, art, music, technology) school psychologists, school counselors, guidance counselors, social workers, speech and language therapists or speech pathologists and occupational or physical therapists. ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only

Course #L1047 Each year, approximately 2–5% of children refuse to come to school. School refusal can be observed in kindergarten students who demonstrate relatively mild separation anxiety to more severe cases where a student misses weeks or months of school. As a result of the social and educational consequences associated with missing school, the issue needs to examined and addressed promptly. This course will look at the factors associated with and contributing to the occurrence of school refusal. Participants will examine the short and long term effects of absenteeism, the signs and symptoms commonly associated with school refusal and research solutions to the problem. This course is relevant to all who work in schools and with children ages 5-21 in both regular and special education settings. This course has been designed for school administrators, regular and special education teachers (grades K-12 and ages 5 to 21),special area teachers (gym, art, music) school psychologists, school counselors, guidance counselors, social workers, speech and language therapists and pathologists and occupational and physical therapists. ON-LINE (3 Credits / 45 hours) in-service credit only

PDLI9010 (45 HOURS/3 GRADUATE CREDITS) ON-LINE Instructor: Randi Miller rmillerliips@gmail.com Course Description: Traumatic experiences come in many forms ranging from one-time events (like the current pandemic) to experiences that are prolonged and recurring. To date, approximately 50% of the nation’s children and adolescents have experienced at least one or more types of serious childhood trauma.  The effects of these traumatic experiences impact how students focus, attend, learn, form relationships and behave in the classroom. Trauma informed interventions focus on building relationships, routines, choice-making and self-regulation skills. This course has been developed to provide all educators with content knowledge on the types and biology of trauma, ACES, and best practices in trauma-informed behavior and classroom management strategies. The course will provide participants with the knowledge and tools they need to create a safe, supportive learning environment for all students. A timely course given the current public health crisis and school shut down. A good opportunity to be prepared to meet the needs of staff and students when school re-opens.  Applicable all Educators and Staff K - 12.

formerly titled: Strategies to Promote Regulation and Calm in yourself, staff and students throughout the day

3 credits/45 hours … In service only 

Course Description:

Learning, thinking, listening, processing information, communicating and relationships with others are best when one is in a calm and regulated state.

Regulation in others, starts with our own skills of self-regulation. Then through the process of co-regulation, calm is shared and modeled which in turn develops and fosters the ability for students to self-regulate.  Appropriate for all Educators and Staff K-12.