Welcome and Introductions From Your Course Facilitators

Dr. Julie Causton

Introduction Video

Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak

Introduction Video

How To Navigate This Course

Welcome again to our PD 4 Paras on-demand series. There are a total of four lessons, which we refer to as sessions. You can start with the first one or with the topic of your choosing.

Each session has many pieces and parts. The first of which is a link to a YouTube video (each under 60 minutes). These videos were edited from our live sessions of this course. You are encouraged to journal as you go and then come over to private FaceBook group and share how you would have responded to any of the questions and reflections we pose. 

Each session also has links to handouts (tips and tools you can print and put into practice), our key PPT slides, and then tons of optional things to read, watch, or listen to…each designed to deepen your understanding and improve your practice.

Quickly…because you’re going to want to share what you have learned. You do NOT need our permission to share the tips and tools from this course. You can (and we hope you will), share everything with other team members. We do ask, however, that you not give others full access to the course dashboard. If there are other paraprofessionals who are interested, please have them contact us to save a seat for the next time the course is offered.

Everyone will want to know this!

Dr. Julie Causton and Dr. Kristie Pretti-Frontczak are offering four FREE Paraprofessional Master Classes in 2021.

Anyone can attend; however, these master classes are specifically geared for paraprofessionals supporting students Pre-K through 12th grade.

Enroll HERE for free and you will receive details via email on how to join the FREE Master Classes.

You can attend one, two, three, or ALL four. You only need to register once! We’ll use the same ZOOM meeting link for all four master classes.

Schedule

  • February 5, 2021 – Supporting Big and Challenging Behaviors
  • May 12, 2021 – Using the Ladder of Independence
  • July 14, 2021 – 100 Ways to Adapt Anything
  • Oct. 6, 2021Providing on the Fly Supports

All sessions are from 3:30-4:30 pm Eastern Time and will be hosted via ZOOM.

These master classes also provide a sneak peek into our PD 4 Paras series, which you are already a part of.

General Course Info

Poster

Downloadable poster

Facebook Group

Optional networking opportunity

Three + Ways Paraprofessionals Can Demonstrate Learning

Option 1: Quizzes

Option 2: Recording Space

Option 3: More Ideas

PD for Paras Part 2: Sessions

Session 1: Presuming Competence

Key PPT slides: [pdf}

Strategies for Presuming Competence Handout [pdf]

Related Resources:

“Homework” – things to try out between Session 1 and Session 2

 

 

Session 2: Providing Support Under An Invisibility Cloak

Key PPT slides: [pdf]

Related Resources:

Session 3: Special Education Law- What Do You Need To Know

Key PPT slides: [pdf]

Mark Radel’s video [YouTube]

Related Resources:

  • Crip Camp documentary [link]
  • Two podcasts with KPF and Pat [link]
  • Inclusive Schooling Podcast [link]
  • Pat Radel’s blog on SPED law [link]
  • Pat’s email – pgradelesq@gmail.com

Session 4: Before They The Blow Up

Topic: Before the Blow Up – Dealing with Student Crisis with Love

Video from Live session [YouTube]

Key PPT slides: PDF

Pre-Learning (optional)

Step 1: Take a minute to familiarize yourself with three key concepts:

  • Teach Before the Peak (3:56) [video]
  • Attachment Science and the 4 S’s (8:25) [audio]
  • The role of stressors on development and learning (9:09) [video]

Step 2: Decide which of the three key concepts you want to dig deeper into.

  • Teach Before the Peak long version (15:29) [video] + podcast “Wait for Green Before You Go” (32:37) [audio]
  • Attachment Science and the 4 S’s long version (53:06) [video]
  • What is stress – Self-reg myth #10 (9:10)[video]; myth #4 (11:38) [video]

Related Resources:

  • Hand model of the brain [video]
  • Article on why we don’t say “good job” [link]
  • The 4 S’s Infographics for serving children [pdf]
  • Mindfulness Webinar [link to register for free] [link to request handouts]
  • How to Apply the Four S’s to Autism for Secure Attachments [podcast]
  • CEC/DEC webinar on being a stress detective [link]
  • Practice Point about stressors [pdf]
  • The 5 domains of stressors [pdf 1] [pdf 2] [pdf 3]
  • Examples of how to reduce when it comes to transitions [blog]
  • Tantrums vs. meltdowns [link]
  • Planned Ignoring [podcast] [blog]
  • Co-regulation [pdf]
  • Cultivating Mindfulness [podcast]
  • Needs vs. Wants [podcast]
  • Getting Children On Board [blog]

Masterclass Sessions

Masterclass #1 - Supporting Big and Challenging Behaviors

Link to the recording: https://vimeo.com/509035768

Here are links to the resources shared during the first masterclass:

  • Conversations with Dr. Stuart Shanker and/or Dr. Dan Siegel (click here and search episodes)
  • Need to order the Para Professional Handbook? Click here
  • The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly When it Comes to Praise, Rewards, and Punishment [podcast]
  • Article – Beyond Treats and Timeouts [pdf]
  • Sample letter you can edit and share with your supervisor, principal, director of special education, etc. [pdf]

Part 2 Bonus Sessions:

Bonus #1: Bonus Session: How to ROCK "behavior management"

Click here to download key PPT slides

Note in the bonus session, KPF mentioned 3 V’s and credit goes to Theressa Lenear.

Bonus #2: Caring for yourself- while caring for others

Click here to download key PPT slides

Bonus #3: Advice for educational paraprofessionals with Stephen Hinkle, M.Ed.

Bonus #4: Supporting Big and Challenging Behaviors
Link to the recording: https://vimeo.com/509035768

Here are links to the resources shared during the first masterclass:
  • Conversations with Dr. Stuart Shanker and/or Dr. Dan Siegel (click here and search episodes)
  • Need to order the Para Professional Handbook? Click here
  • The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly When it Comes to Praise, Rewards, and Punishment [podcast]
  • Article – Beyond Treats and Timeouts [pdf]
  • Sample letter you can edit and share with your supervisor, principal, director of special education, etc. [pdf]
Bonus #5: The Ladder of Independence

Link to the recording: https://player.vimeo.com/video/551475332

Here are the links to resources shared during the second masterclass:

  • Boy in the bubble article [pdf]
  • Ladder of support [pdf]
  • Material supports [blog]
  • More about visual supports [pdf]
  • Resources on supporting friendships [blog]
  • Paraprofessionals Handbook [link]
Bonus #6: Masterclass - 100 Ways to Adapt Anything!

Stay Connected with Julie

  

Stay Connected with Kristie