Professional Development for Educational Support Professionals
For more information or if you have any questions about the ESP Professional Development courses below, contact Cristy McCorkle or Lama Chikh. The most up-to-date course information can be found on the WEA ESP Professional Development page.
FCS01 - Intro to Cultural Identity and Diversity (4 clock hours)
Saturday, December 2, 2023
9:00am-1:00pm
Participants will gain an awareness and deeper understanding of ways to engage, build relationships and communicate with the diverse backgrounds of their students. This course is designed to help ensure that students
experience a positive, consistent, safe, unbiased and equitable classroom.
Register: 12/2/23
FCS02 - Educational and Instructional Support (4 clock hours)
Saturday, December 2, 2023
9:00am-1:00pm
Participants will learn classroom and building based instructional strategies and supports to assist classroom teachers in various learning environments and with diverse learning styles.
Register: 12/2/23
FCS06 - Equity (4 clock hours)
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 and Wednesday, November 8, 2023
5:30pm-7:30pm
-or-
Saturday, December 9, 2023
9:00am-1:00pm
Participants will gain an awareness of the legalities, polices, procedure and practices surrounding discrimination and how to respond to such violations. This course is designed to help foster a learning environment that is unbiased, safe and promotes the academic success of all students.
Register: 11/7-8/23; 12/9/23
Tier 1 - Behavior Intervention Differentiated for Students-Part A (4 clock hours)
Saturday, December 2, 2023
9:00am-1:00pm
This class is for ALL ESPs that work with students. The course is focused on how to work with students who are demonstrating unsuccessful behaviors. Participants will learn why student expectations for behavior should be high and how to redefine discipline as a growth and teaching opportunity rather than punishment. Participants will learn Tier 1 redirection and intervention learn skills (Symbolic, Physical, Verbal and Non-Verbal) that will support positive relationships with all students, and how to be culturally and socially responsive to issues.
Register: 12/2/23
Tier 2 - Behavior Intervention Differentiated for Students-Part B (4 clock hours)
Tuesday, November 7, 2023 and Wednesday, November 8, 2023
5:30pm-7:30pm
-or-
Saturday, November 18, 2023 -or- Saturday, December 9, 2023
9:00am-1:00pm
Participants will learn guiding principles of TIER 2 interventions in a culturally responsive approach and how to implement them at their building. They will also learn how to change interactions with students positively through courageous conversations so that students feel included, valued and respected.
Register: 11/7-8/23; 11/18/23; 12/9/23
Building Winning Teams - A Deeper Dive to Focus on Collaboration - Part 2 (4 clock hours)
Saturday, December 2, 2023
9:00am-1:00pm
Follow-up to Building Winning Teams. Participants will take a deeper dive into the paraeducator-teacher relationship/partnership and work effectively together to have a positive impact on student learning through scenarios, role-playing and discussion. Participants in this course practice tools and resources through rolemodeling and scenarios to better support students and increase student achievement
Register: 12/2/23
Communicating Effectively with Diverse Students and Families (4 clock hours)
Saturday, November 4, 2023
9:00am-1:00pm
Participants will gain an awareness and deeper understanding of ways to engage, build relationships and communicate with the diverse backgrounds of students and families. This course is designed to help ensure that students experience a positive, consistent, safe, unbiased and equitable space wherever they are in school.
Register: 11/4/23
Difficult Conversations with Parents and Educators (3 clock hours)
Saturday, December 9, 2023
9:00am-1:00pm
In this time of education reform and limited funding, education has its fair share of challenges whether working with parents, educators, or administration. In this course, participants learn communication strategies that help stakeholders work together to support student achievement.
Register: 12/9/23