2023 On-Demand Online Workshops

Avoiding Teacher Burnout (44 minutes | .75 CEU credit)
Presenter: Amy Clay
Many teachers enter the teaching profession with high hopes, only to receive a huge reality check. This session will offer advice on how to avoid teacher burnout and keep doing what you love- impacting the lives of so many beautiful children in a positive way. Topics discussed will include: connecting with students, getting organized, setting goals, school/work balance, staying healthy, getting support, reigniting your passion, and activism. Teachers will receive advice on how to effectively implement these strategies in order reduce stress levels and nurture the investment you’ve made in your career choice.

Beyond Thematic Units - Engaging Ways to Integrate Learning (12 minutes | .25 CEU credit)
Presenter: Hilari Rogers
Thematic Units get students excited about what might be next to learn, but incorporating engaging instructional strategies not only creates even more excitement about learning but provides the skills that each student needs. In this workshop, we will look at instructional strategies that have the most impact on learning, ways to integrate curriculum, and methods to individualize and differentiate instruction for each student.

Building Reflective Connections with Toddlers (60 minutes | 1.0 CEU credit)
Presenter: Kisha Burchard-Goodfield
In this session, you'll discuss taking time to really notice children's strengths and individual interests. This helps us reflect on who they are and how we can better connect with them. You will visit reflective practice, define what a reflective connection is and explore a Thinking Lens Approach. The speaker will offer a profile of each source referenced in the presentation and provide the audience with handouts related to the highlighted concepts. You will discover how capturing moments in time through photos and videos can provide insights into ways to enhance our relationships with children. Through discussions ignited by thoughtful questions, this session will encourage the audience opportunity for both self-reflection and participation.

Curriculum-Driven Process Art (60 minutes | 1.0 CEU credit)
Presenter: Jessica Skiles
Process art is a wonderful way to allow children to create, express themselves artistically, and build fine motor skills. It can also be used as a learning tool to reinforce and explore ideas related to your curriculum and areas of study. In this session, participants will learn how to bring their children's explorations into the act of creating art. They will leave with ideas to create a community-driven work of multimedia art that allows their students to deepen their understanding of any area of study.

Give Children Something to Talk About (57 minutes | 1.0 CEU credit)
Presenter:Amy Clay
This session will address Oral Language as one of the four instructional priorities for a strong literacy foundation. The components of the oral language system will be identified and described. Effective language facilitation strategies will be discussed and demonstrated. You will leave knowing how to provide early learning oral language experiences for children through purposeful, daily activities.

High Quality Music Making & Morning Circle Time: Supercharging Happy, Healthy Brains (44 minutes | .75 CEU credit)
Presenter: Mary Anderson
Understand why using high-quality music learning experiences in your classroom supports your students’ brain development and their social-emotional skill development like nothing else can. Learn simple ways to integrate music into your morning routine with your students to maximize their learning and be set up for a successful day together. Leave with a personalized circle time plan and a toolbox full of songs, poems, finger plays, and movement activities to use on the first day of school.

How Does the Science of Reading Impact Equity in Your Classroom? (18 minutes | .25 CEU credit)
Presenter: Hilari Rogers
This workshop will discuss the Science of Reading and how to provide equitable instruction in your classroom as students learn to read and as you fill in the learning gaps. As students learn to read, they also learn to comprehend concepts from other curriculum areas. Without these foundational skills, students will struggle in various academic areas. How do we prevent this from the beginning and how do we fill in the gaps they might already have?

Movement Powers Learning (41 minutes | .75 CEU credit)
Presenter: Preston Blackburn
Communication is key to learning. Whether we are reading, writing, speaking gesturing, using body language or facial expressions. But every one of these skills relies on physical movement. If our bodies are weak, how can we have success communicating? In this session we will take a peek at two sensory systems that are foundational to communicating and take a peek at three strengths that are vital to communicating, then connect all of them to big-body physical play.

Outsmart the Wiggles (38 minutes | .50 CEU credit)
Presenter: Preston Blackburn
When kids wiggle, act distracted, and can’t control their bodies, it is hard for them to focus and learn. More often than not, however, it is movement, in the form of big-body physical play, that helps kids sit still and attend. Through play and physical activity, kids learn self-regulation and self-control as well as how to control their bodies, so when it is time to sit in school, at their desk, in circle time, or transition smoothly, they can. And when we give kids the chance to build all kinds of strengths and skills through physical play, they build confidence in what they can do on the playground, in the classroom, and in life.

Powerful Interactions: Helping Children Reach Their Potential (31 minutes | .5 CEU credit
Presenter: Dr. Shucrea Cameron
The phrase "serve and return" in the context of child development refers to responsive interactions between young children and their teachers. Teachers can help build stronger brains by engaging in "serve and return" with children. Connections are made in a child's brain through serve and return interactions. These connections lay the foundation for overall success. Moreover, responsive interactions require teachers to react quickly to help children grow and reach their full potential.

Strategies for Supporting Mandated Reporters of Suspected Child Abuse (120 minutes | 2.0 CEU credit)
Presenter: Alan Guttman
Child development and learning occurs when children are healthy and safe. This workshop will ensure that providers establish policies and procedures that protect children when abuse is suspected. Participants will also discuss and learn strategies to protect themselves in their roles as mandated reports. It is vital that providers are supported so that they may fulfill their role as mandated reporters. In this highly engaging workshop, participants will learn why individuals sometimes fail to report suspected abuse. Video vignettes and research will be presented to inform discussions around the development of strategies, policies, and procedures to ensure consistent reporting. (Earns 1.5 Contact/CEU hours)