Essential Bulletin for Educators
May 2024
Checking for understanding throughout class is crucial for both teachers and students.
It allows us to identify areas needing reinforcement, adapt our instruction in real time, and empower students to take ownership of their learning. Here are 23 strategies to gauge student understanding and keep your classroom buzzing with interactive learning.
From TCEA technotes - TCEA Technotes: 23 Ways to Check for Understanding
On Wednesday, April 3, 2024, Ms. Michele Parmelee was named the recipient of the 2024 Annie Sullivan Award.
The Annie Sullivan Award, named after the esteemed teacher who tirelessly worked to educate Helen Keller, stands as a prestigious tribute to individuals who have made significant contributions to the field of special education. Ms. Parmelee’s selection as the recipient of the 2024 Annie Sullivan Award underscores her dedication and profound impact on students, faculty, and educational programs within the Antietam School District.
This year’s ceremony was a historic occasion, recognizing an unprecedented 20 nominees, representing each of the 18 school districts and two career and technology centers within Berks County. Colleagues, friends, and family gathered for the event, celebrating the outstanding service and dedication of these individuals to the advocacy and well-being of students with disabilities.
Adding to the significance of the occasion, Dr. Amy Pastorak, Assistant Director of the Bureau of Special Education at the Pennsylvania Department of Education, was in attendance to provide opening comments for the evening.
The SAG-AFTRA Foundation’s two-time Emmy®-nominated and award-winning children’s literacy website, Storyline Online®, streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books alongside creatively produced illustrations.
Storyline Online is available 24 hours a day for children, parents, caregivers and educators worldwide. Each book includes supplemental curriculum developed by a credentialed elementary educator, aiming to strengthen comprehension and verbal and written skills for English-language learners.
From The SAG-AFTRA Foundation - Storyline Online
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is the most widely researched school-wide framework that consists of a continuum of tiered interventions to promote positive student outcomes.
Check out this podcast co-hosted by Tanya Misgen and Muna Khalif.
Emphasis will be placed on effective instruction methodologies, school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS), token economies, behavior contracts, self-monitoring checklists, implementation of positive behavior support plans and behavioral skills training for increasing staff performance.
This three-day, in-person training is available at the PaTTAN West office in May and at the PaTTAN East office in June. In these sessions, a review of effective instructional strategies and procedures for the delivery of high-quality instruction for students across all settings will be provided. The focus will be on evidence-based interventions applicable to students of all instructional levels and in all settings that include direct instruction, establishing instructional control, teaching cooperation skills, as well as communication skills and academic content.
Participants will be required to demonstrate acquisition of conceptual skills through brief pre- and post-assessments, to complete application activities assigned, and to practice implementation of various evidenced-based teaching procedures.
May 7, 8 & 9 at PaTTAN West office
June 4, 5 & 6 at PaTTAN East Office
Are you up for the challenge to inspire the next generation of future special educators? If so, consider applying for the 2024-2026 Developing Future Special Educators Grant.
Impact the current educator shortage by promoting the rewarding careers of special education personnel through the development or expansion of experiential learning opportunities to engage secondary/postsecondary students in learning about and/or working with students with disabilities.
This grant is designed for:
- Local Education Agencies (including approved private schools, career technical education centers, charter school, cyber charter schools, intermediate units, and school districts)
- Institutions of Higher Education
The maximum funding available for each successful grantee is $20,000 from July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026.
The Request for Application (RFA), grant application, and overview webinar recording are available on the APR Repository - 2024-2026 Developing Future Special Educators Grant webpage. Applications are due by 11:59 PM on Monday, June 10, 2024.
For questions regarding the 2024-2026 Developing Future Special Educators Grant, contact Jeff Mathieson, PaTTAN Educational Consultant, at jmathieson@pattanpgh.net.
Creating an Inclusive System of Education for ALL: Prioritizing Needs and Moving to Action
Join us on May 23 at one of the regional PaTTAN offices or a partnering intermediate unit as we work to create inclusive environments and sustainable systems for all students. A wealth of practical tools, processes, strategies, and examples that can be customized for your organization to support inclusive system change will be shared.
WHEN:
May 23, 2024
Time: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
WHERE:
PaTTAN and IU sites
To learn more about the session and register, visit the PaTTAN Training Calendar under the May 23rd Connecting and Learning for Equity and Opportunity (HELIX) series.
PaTTAN is excited to partner with Novak Education and the TIES Center to provide a four-session, virtual learning series focused on creating sustainable systems that create a sense of community and belonging and support high-quality instruction for all students.
These sessions will challenge school-based teams to think differently about designing flexible learning environments that bring accessible learning experiences to all students.
At a later date following each session, there will be an additional virtual networking session to engage participants in smaller group discussions focused on “problems of practice” that were discussed during the previous webinars.
We hope you are able to join with your teams to get the most benefit out of this valuable opportunity!
