Professional Growth

WEA's Inclusionary Practices Project (IPP) and Special Education Support Center (SESC) are providing professional development via Zoom. Please check out our Spring course listings.

These courses are virtual learning opportunities that are free to WEA members and nonmenbers.Please visit the WEA website for the latest course offerings as they become available.

Questions? Contact WEA Special Populations Program Coordinator Phyllis Campano or WEA Staffer Thera Grady.

Looking for more professional development opportunities? Check out courses currently being offered through WEA and Pilchuck Uniserv: Pilchuck UniServ Council Home Page

Are you looking for special education professional development? Check out which courses are currently being offered through WEA - Special Education (washingtonea.org)

WEA STEM professional learning now available for Spring 2023! Please share with your locals and councils. Flyer attached.

Meet the STEM certificate renewal requirement with courses from the WEA. WEA's Inclusionary Practices Project (IPP) is providing professional development via Zoom. Courses are open to all, and clock hours are at no cost. Register for WEA STEM courses: https://www.washingtonea.org/events-training/pd/stem-certificate-renewal-requirement/

NEW: Using Minecraft for STEM, SEL, and Equity

Mon., March 6; Fri., March 10; Monday, March 13, 2023, 4:30-7:30 pm. | Register: https://cvent.me/ZLdb8O

Using Minecraft Education Edition as an example of game-based learning, participants will learn how to find STEM, SEL, and Equity Minecraft worlds for their students to experience. Learn how to play and build in Minecraft by experiencing these worlds and lessons firsthand. Learn how to determine when to have students work individually and when to have students work cooperatively in multiplayer mode. These worlds and lessons can be adapted to any STEM curriculum. No Minecraft experience needed. Minecraft access provided to participants for the duration of this learning series. 3 clock hours.

WEA STEM courses:

STEMizing Your Instruction. Wednesdays, Feb. 8 and 15, 4:00-6:00 pm plus 2 asynchronous hours. | Register: https://cvent.me/Wq74ay. 6 clock hours.
The Attuned K-12 Educator: Accelerating Literacy. Wednesday and Thursday, February 8-9, 4:00-7:00 pm | Register: https://cvent.me/PrePXL. STEM hours not available for this course. 6 clock hours.
Essentials of Game-Based Learning in the Inclusive Classroom. Monday, February 13, 4:30-7:30 pm. | Register: https://cvent.me/LDB27G 3 clock hours.
Essentials of Gamification in the Inclusive Classroom. Friday, February 17, 4:30-7:30 pm. | Register: https://cvent.me/x5nbW2. 3 clock hours.
Implementing Game-Based Learning in the Inclusive Classroom. Monday, February 27, 4:30-7:30 pm. | Register: https://cvent.me/lanr9m. 3 clock hours.
NEW: Using Minecraft for STEM, SEL, and Equity. Mon., March 6; Fri., March 10; Monday, March 13, 2023, 4:30-7:30 pm. | Register: https://cvent.me/ZLdb8O
Implementing Gamification in the Inclusive Classroom. Friday, March 3, 4:30-7:30 pm. | Register: https://cvent.me/lanr9m. 3 clock hours.
Unpacking Standards to Reach ALL Students in the Math Classroom. Monday, Mar. 13, and Wednesday Mar. 15. 4:30-7:30 | Register: https://cvent.me/VdBNOb. 6 clock hours.
STEM integration and Inclusionary Practices. Thursdays, April 13, 20, 27, May 4, 4:30-6:30 pm | Register: https://cvent.me/mPnNq1. 8 synchronous hours on Zoom plus 7 asynchronous hours on Canvas. 15 clock hours.
Esports in the Inclusive Classroom. Monday, April 17, 2023. 7, 4:30-7:30 pm. | Register: https://cvent.me/ORZZ98. 3 clock hours.
STEM in Sports. May 8, 12, 15, 22, 26, 2023. 4:30-6:30 pm. | Register: https://cvent.me/zzGVXa 10 synchronous hours on Zoom plus 5 asynchronous hours. 15 clock hours.
The Attuned K-12 Educator: Accelerating Literacy. Tuesday and Thursday, April 11, 13. 4:00-7:00 pm | Register: https://cvent.me/KXYA4Q. 6 clock hours.

For registration support, please contact Thera Grady tgrady@washingtonea.org. For STEM content inquiries, please contact Tammie Schrader tschrader@washingtonea.org.

Youth Mental Health First Aid (8 hours) For more information and register: https://cvent.me/bRVg3A

Choose only ONE set of dates:

February 1 & 2, 4:30PM-7:30 PM

February 7 & 8, 4:30PM-7:30 PM

February 21 & 22, 4:30PM-7:30 PM

March 7 & 8, 4:30PM-7:30 PM

The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 5-step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Pre-work will be required for this course.

This is a special project done in partnership with the statewide IPP cadre. You can join at any training date!

Zooming In and Out on Inclusionary Practices with Shelley Moore and Katie Novak 3 Part Series (6 hours) For more information and to register: https://cvent.me/W0ovr7

January 11, 2023 / February 6, 2023 / March 27, 2023 4:00PM - 6:000PM

In order for inclusion to be fully realized, there is critical systems change/complex change work that needs to be done (zooming out). This includes both strategies and vision for what a newly designed inclusive and equitable system looks like. What are all the systemic pieces needed as a part of a UDL approach? In this series, every time Katie zooms out, Shelley will zoom in with a specific story about what this looks like, sounds like, and feels like for an individual student.

Classroom Management and Social Emotional Learning with Simulated Practice (5 hours)

February 6, 4:30-7:30PM or March 6, 4:30-7:30PM (opening soon)

This course covers high leverage/evidence-based practices to support the behavioral and social-emotional needs of students, focused on tier 1 positive behavior supports. Participants will learn strategies to create a safe, positive classroom environment: including practical implementation. The course will explore the classroom environment structure, teaching behavior, social-emotional learning, monitoring and observation, and interaction with students. Participants will complete: Course session - Monday, February 6, 2023, 4:30 pm -7:30 pm. 1 small group simulated session. The session will be one hour. Grade levels, dates, and times are on the registration. Two 1:1 simulated sessions.

Registration for February 6. 2023: https://cvent.me/ArY8Gb

The UDL Design Cycle: Through a PLC Perspective (6 hours)

This course is intended for learners who have a general understanding of the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. Participants will focus on the application of the UDL framework in lesson planning, through the support structure of a collaborative professional learning community (PLC). Learners will examine their mindsets to become more equitable, inclusive, responsive educators, who creates better outcomes for all students.

Registration for February 8 & 9, 2023: https://cvent.me/Yw9BXq not working

Choose only ONE set of dates.

Registration for March 8 & 9, 2023: https://cvent.me/0XkvN9

Trauma FOCUS (3 hours)

Informational Session-Wednesday, February 1, 2023, 4:30pm -6:00pm and Workshop-Thursday, March 2, 2023, 4:30pm - 6:00pm

Participants will understand more about how trauma affects the brain, learn about symptoms resulting for different types of trauma, and expand their tool box with supportive strategies.

â— Identify trauma

â— Learn new strategies for addressing trauma

â— Become trauma informed, highlighting trauma informed care

â— Understand how strategies can change environments and relationships

â— Work as a team to develop new approaches based around trauma

Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) (6 hours)

February 15 & 16, 4:30-7:30PM

This course will define and describe Special Education, Specially Designed Instruction (SDI), and the laws that support. Participants will know and understand who can/should provide SDI, supports necessary, and how to support students through a variety of classroom models. An understanding of the nature/purpose of special education and how crucial collaboration between Special Education and General Education is to ALL students being successful. Different models of providing SDI such as co-teaching, UDL, and para training/supports will be described

For more information and registration: https://cvent.me/mPvGBA

Effective High-Quality PLAAFPs for Strength-Based IEPs (9 hours)

February 27 & 28, 4:30-7:30PM

This course is intended for learners who have a general understanding of the elements of an Individual Education Program (IEP). Participants will focus on the application of essential components for developing Present Levels of Academic Achievement and Functional Performance (PLAAFP) statements to create strength-based IEPs through the support structure of a professional learning community (PLC)/collaborative small groups. Learners will have opportunities to examine their mindsets surrounding equity and inclusive practices. Learners will also develop skills to author effective, meaningful PLAAFP statements for all students with disabilities to help drive student progress. This presentation requires active participation and engagement through small group discussion, chat reflections and discussions.

For more information and registration: https://cvent.me/G59nrR

Data Collection for Progress Monitoring (6 hours)

February 28 & March 1, 2023, 4:30-7:30pm

This course will give a deeper understanding of measurable data and an ability to identify subjective parameters - academic and behavior data collection. Participants will have practice working with each of the outlined methods and practice writing newly data informed goals based on previous methods.

For more information and registration: https://cvent.me/g12kQ8

The How of Learning: The Action with KC Knudson

March 6. 2023. 4:00-5:30pm

It's all too easy to give the same tests and quizzes to students year after year, but do they truly measure what they have learned? The practice of "teaching to the test" has also become common, but when we do this, we miss opportunities for students to learn deeply and find ways to communicate that will help them later as they enter the adult world. In this session, we will unpack the UDL guidelines for action & expression and explore how we can support creative expression, planning, organizing, and goal setting by using UDL best practices for designing assessments. Dive into the strategic network of the brain to better understand how students can communicate and express what they know or can do Define methods for assessing students and supporting their executive functioning.

For more information and registration: https://cvent.me/8dEA3P

Restorative FOCUS (3 hours)

Informational Session, Thursday, March 9, 2023, 4:30PM-6:00PM and Workshop, Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 4:30PM-6:30PM

Participants will learn how to use restorative practices and restorative circles in effective ways, creating environments to promote community, safety, healing, and connectedness.

â— Trace the history of and current restorative practices

â— Identify how restorative practices are implemented with groups

â— Learn new strategies related to restorative circles

â— Discuss how restorative environments can make a different

â— Share ideas for facilitating restorative circles and making restorative practices a baseline for building and maintaining positive relationships.

De-escalation Strategies (6 hours)

March 22 & 23, 4:30-7:30PM

Participants will learn basic principles of behavior Participants will identify stages of behavior and ways to strengthen their responses at each stage while maintaining student dignity Participants will become familiar with the Escalation/De-Escalation Cycle.

For more information and registration: https://cvent.me/5rMzQd

Strengths-Based Environments FOCUS (3 hours)

Informational Session- Wednesday, April 19, 2023, 4:30pm -6:00pm and Workshop-Wednesday, May 17, 2023, 4:30pm - 6:00pm

Participants will learn about chronic behavior through understanding where it stems from, how to address it, and most importantly, how to create strengths-based environments to eliminate or help to improve negative outcomes.

â— Identify chronic behaviors and where they originate

â— Understand the background to behaviors related to trauma, shame, and negative messaging

â— Learn strategies to build a strengths-based environment

â— Discuss the importance of hope, optimism, and believing in others

â— Support the transformation to strengths-based approaches