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Professional Development

Online Professional Development

Trauma-Informed Resilient Schools Training
Here is a FREE PD Trauma-Informed Resilient Schools. STARR Commonwealth is offering a Free online class. Usually costs $199.00. Use the coupon code TRAUMAINFORMED (all caps) at checkout to receive Trauma-Informed Resilient Schools free of charge.

Paraeducators: what we do matters
Engaging, effective, easy to implement professional development specifically for paraeducators. “Paraeducators: what we do matters” is organized into 12 self-guided modules specifically for paraeducators.

ELL Subject Matter Certificate
The online course meets the requirements of the English Language Learner Paraeducator Standards of Practice, including the knowledge and skill competencies approved by the Paraeducator Board. Completion of all five modules in this course satisfies the 20-hour training requirement for the ELL Subject Matter Certificate. To attain the certificate, a paraeducator must first complete training requirements of the Fundamental Course of Study.

Special Education Subject Matter Certificate
The online course meets the requirements of the Special Education Paraeducator Standards of Practice, including the knowledge and skill competencies approved by the Paraeducator Board. Completion of all four modules in this course satisfies the 20-hour training requirement for the Special Education Subject Matter Certificate. To attain the certificate, a paraeducator must first complete training requirements of the Fundamental Course of Study.

Teachers working with paraeducators
A majority of paraeducators work directly with students in their formative years, at all levels, from early learning to high school, and with diverse learners, such as students with disabilities and English Learners. This comes with the need for training for teachers on how to best support and supervise paraeducators. This course is designed to provide teachers with strategies for collaborating with paraeducators and for developing an effective working partnership.

Principals and administrators working with paraeducators
Over the past decade, there have been increasing numbers of students eligible for special education receiving services within general education classrooms. This has led to paraeducators often playing key roles in ensuring the successful supports and services for students within their school. In addition, the student population is becoming more culturally and linguistically diverse. As the needs of students are becoming more complex, the skills required of paraeducators are expanding, which means it is paramount for school leaders to carefully hire and actively engage in supporting paraeducators throughout the school year. As paraprofessional roles and responsibilities continue to grow, principals must design systems and supports to ensure high quality personnel and services to students with disabilities and English Learners. The course is designed to equip school leaders with the skills necessary to successfully hire and on-board paraeducators.

Understanding and Recognizing Dyslexia
In this online, self-guided course you will learn what dyslexia is, what it isn't, and how to support it in your classroom.
Topics Covered:

Introduction to Understanding and Recognizing Dyslexia
Dyslexia Simulation
What Dyslexia Is
What Dyslexia Isn't
Dyslexia in the Gen Ed Classroom
End of Course Survey
Additional Resources

LTSC: An Introduction to Close Reading
OSPI worked closely with the nine ESDs to develop content-specific online learning for educators during Long-Term School Closure (LTSC). This online course is a result of that collaboration. This workshop will focus on effective implementation of close reading skills and strategies. Participants will learn about the phases of close reading and how these link to the ELA CCSS, ways to annotate texts, and how to create text-dependent questions for literary and informational texts.
This course will be offered via Canvas. Participants may complete the course at their own pace. There will be a Zoom check-in between participants and the instructor.
Target audience: 3rd-high school educators and TOSAs.

Teaching English Language Arts Virtually: Collaborating for Effective Practice
Designed as a community of practice (CoP), participants will share ideas, successes and challenges in teaching ELA virtually. Sessions will be live through Zoom and limited to 10 participants. Additional groups will be created according to meeting time preferences.
3 one-hour live, online sessions via Zoom. Participants must have a laptop or tablet with a stable internet connection. They will need to connect with a camera and microphone as well or a cell phone. . Three one hour sessions are planned but may be extended if the group would like.