I have attached the department professional development plan for you to review. It summarizes our work from last year and how we will connect it to our ongoing work this year. We will be working closely with Dr. Gloria Frohlick Clark who will be providing facilitation, coaching and training to our department and the OT/PT department. Gloria recently retired from the D.E. where she was on the state early childhood leadership team as a consultant for 0-5 services. She is now available to do private practice. You will meet her on Sept. 10!
As we have learned from Jerry Stremel's presentation, Iowa is NOT doing well with special education (IEP kids). We've gotten away from a focus on special ed. kids and need to build skills and invest time in assisting teachers so that IFSP/IEP children will make progress on their outcomes/goals. Do we have the right interventions? Do we have data that tells if we need to change interventions? We are all responsible to help make a difference! More to come on that thought!
Friday, August 27, 2010
Early Childhood Programs and the Triad/Dyad Structure
I am sure there is still confusion with the triad/dyad structure and the conversation of how early childhood programs "fit" into the role/work of school social workers, psychologist, and special education consultants.
Pam Ahlrich, zone coordinator, created a document to help clarify roles and understanding of our collaborative work. The attached document is version 3; there have been extended conversations and clarifications on this topic.
Please use the document to assist you and remember these important points about your role:
1) ECSE teachers/consultants have expertise in curriculum and instruction at the early childhood level.
2) Private preschools and Head Start programs located within the communities you serve, rely on YOU as the first point of contact.
3) The initial point of contact with preschool programs within a district building may vary - who is readily available on a regular basis?
3) Collaborative teams are necessary for child find activities, evaluations, challenging behaviors, interventions,transitions and IEPs. draft
Pam Ahlrich, zone coordinator, created a document to help clarify roles and understanding of our collaborative work. The attached document is version 3; there have been extended conversations and clarifications on this topic.
Please use the document to assist you and remember these important points about your role:
1) ECSE teachers/consultants have expertise in curriculum and instruction at the early childhood level.
2) Private preschools and Head Start programs located within the communities you serve, rely on YOU as the first point of contact.
3) The initial point of contact with preschool programs within a district building may vary - who is readily available on a regular basis?
3) Collaborative teams are necessary for child find activities, evaluations, challenging behaviors, interventions,transitions and IEPs. draft
My How We've Changed
Would you please find a baby picture (ages 0-5) of yourself and scan it and send it to me by Thursday, Sept. 2? (A secretary or someone in the office should be able to help you with this task if you are not sure how to do it)? We will be using the pictures for a fun opening activity at our first dept. meeting on Fri. Sept. 10.
In order to help us get to know you and to be able to identify you from an "earlier years" picture, can you also send me 3 facts such as: where you were born, grew up, # of brothers/sisters, high school/college, no. of children you have, grandchildren, etc.etc.
In order to help us get to know you and to be able to identify you from an "earlier years" picture, can you also send me 3 facts such as: where you were born, grew up, # of brothers/sisters, high school/college, no. of children you have, grandchildren, etc.etc.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Dept. Plans for 2010-11
I've been hesitant to share the final professional development department plans for this year, as the chairperson meeting is today - Monday, Aug. 23. After feedback and approval, information will be sent to you.
Please note that Sept. 17 is NOT a date that will be used for 1/2 day dept. meeting as mentioned in the original schedule. Our dept. meeting is Sept. 10. You have a couple different opportunities for additional PD in the month of Sept. - Sept. 17 there is autism training. Sept. 23 is the Parent/Child Attachment training, and Sept. 17 & 23 is IEP webinar training. Choose any or all of the options; you know what you need to do your job!
Please note that Sept. 17 is NOT a date that will be used for 1/2 day dept. meeting as mentioned in the original schedule. Our dept. meeting is Sept. 10. You have a couple different opportunities for additional PD in the month of Sept. - Sept. 17 there is autism training. Sept. 23 is the Parent/Child Attachment training, and Sept. 17 & 23 is IEP webinar training. Choose any or all of the options; you know what you need to do your job!
IEP training - mark your calendar
Please carefully read the email from Gary Peterson regarding upcoming webinar and online IEP training for new AEA and LEA staff. At last count, we have 20 new ECSE district teachers. Many of them have little or no experience writing IEPs! Although it's not required, one way you may be able to support the new district teachers is to attend the webinar training with them. Learning together and building relationships is critical to establishing an understanding of "who writes what parts of the web-based IEP." Remember, one of our priorities is "to improve the outcomes for children with disabilities." It's critical that we work together to make this happen!
The webinar dates are as folllows: Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 14, Oct 21 from 3:30-4:30.
I've attached an assignment schedule with NEW ECSE district teachers - if there are additional new staff, please let me know.
The webinar dates are as folllows: Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 14, Oct 21 from 3:30-4:30.
I've attached an assignment schedule with NEW ECSE district teachers - if there are additional new staff, please let me know.
Autism training
Here is a comment from the autism training:
"I know Tuesday morning some people wondered about hearing all the research-but that is exactly what we need to say 'Here is the research that says this works. if you want to do something different-show me your research that states your way works.'
I really "got" what he was saying and I will definitely be sharing that information all year."
I hope you found the information to either be a good review or a challenge to you to try something new.
There are two opportunities to attend (attendees only choose one day):September 17 - 9:00-4:00 at the Pocahontas AEA office OR October 4 – 9:00-4:00 at the Pocahontas AEA of
This inservice will provide staff with information about Autism Spectrum Disorders, how to evaluate for special education eligibility and how to report out conclusions. Contact Joyce Anderson, Estherville office to register.
"I know Tuesday morning some people wondered about hearing all the research-but that is exactly what we need to say 'Here is the research that says this works. if you want to do something different-show me your research that states your way works.'
I really "got" what he was saying and I will definitely be sharing that information all year."
I hope you found the information to either be a good review or a challenge to you to try something new.
There are two opportunities to attend (attendees only choose one day):September 17 - 9:00-4:00 at the Pocahontas AEA office OR October 4 – 9:00-4:00 at the Pocahontas AEA of
This inservice will provide staff with information about Autism Spectrum Disorders, how to evaluate for special education eligibility and how to report out conclusions. Contact Joyce Anderson, Estherville office to register.
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