PARENT SELPA SCOOP

Happy New Year! I hope 2024 brings everyone health and happiness. This winter the West San Gabriel Valley SELPA is working to expand our Teacher Residency Credential program to include the Extensive Support Needs credential and will be partnering with Claremont Graduate University for this. We are actively seeking community members with bachelor degrees to apply to get their teaching credential in just one year for our 24/25 school year cohort. Programs include a living stipend and grants to help offset the cost of the university program and begin in June 2024. Please contact Jill Gulick Coordinator of Teacher Residency, (Gulick_jill@ausd.us) for more information or visit our website www.wsgvselpa.org.

The Community Advisory Committee, comprised of parent representatives from each of our member districts meets eight times per year. Meetings are held Mondays at 6pm via Zoom, and all are welcome. Our next meeting is March 4 and you can find the link and agenda on our website prior to the meeting.

The SELPA is busy preparing for our spring events as well, the Students with Disabilities Resource Fair (4/13) and the SELPA Spring Social. The Students with Disabilities Resource Fair is open to the community and we hope to see you there!

The SELPA leadership and staff are honored to support the families of our member districts. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Sincerely,

Tamara Schiern

Executive Director, WSGV SELPA

Valle Lindo School District has witnessed the remarkable benefits of the co-teaching model in our schools. This collaborative teaching strategy, where our general education teachers and education specialists work together in general education classrooms has profoundly enhanced our instructional approach. We have seen all our students build confidence, skills and friendships through shared classroom experiences. An example of this is our literary analysis mystery hunt, where one teacher focuses on guiding students to find textual evidence, while the other reinforces academic vocabulary. This method not only deepens students' understanding but also actively engages them in the learning process while teaching them the importance of working together as a team.

The co-teaching model has also been particularly effective due to the reduced teacher-to-student ratio, which allows for more personalized attention. This is crucial in creating an environment that is inclusive and conducive to learning for students of various abilities. Our teachers employ diverse strategies, including team teaching, station rotations with mixed-ability groups, and continuous collaboration to refine our instructional methods. These practices ensure all students are engaged, included, and effectively learning.

This approach aligns perfectly with our district's commitment to providing an inclusive education that accommodates all learners. Co-teaching doesn't just improve academic outcomes; it fosters a community of learners where every child is valued and given the opportunity to succeed. It's a clear demonstration of our dedication to a comprehensive, inclusive educational system. We invite you to come visit our schools to see co-teaching in action!

January 22, 2024, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

March 4, 2024, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

May 6, 2024, 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Please contact Janet Barakat at barakat_janet@ausd.us for more information.

Find books and series that align with students' interest

Children need to love what they read. Learn about their interest. When reading for pleasure, find books that they are interested in or find funny.

Create a dedicated space for reading in your home or classroom

Providing children a quiet place that is comfortable and provides relaxment allows students to focus on what they are reading.

Talk to children about what they have read

Ask children to make connections to their reading, and what happened in books to deepen their comprehension skills.

Example Questions: Who were the main characters? What did you read? Where did the story take place? When did they story take place? Why do you think the author wrote the book? How was the conflict resolved? How does this book relate to you? How does this book relate to the school? How does this book connect to another book you have read?

Read Regularly

Establish a daily routine, time, and place to read in the classroom and at home. Be consistent. Allow children to read independently and learn from their mistakes. Independent reading should be done at the students' independent reading level.

Expose students to all types of texts

When reading to your child or students expose them to all genres of books, non-fiction, and narrative text.

I first started working in Special Education in 2005 as a Job Developer of Special Education assisting high school students in transitioning from high school into achieving their post-secondary goals. In 2007 I began teaching in the self-contained SDC class and have taught PK-8th grade. Throughout the years, I have taken an active role in improving school culture and programs by serving on school and district teams such as PBIS, Family and Community Engagement, High Reliability Schools, and School Leadership. I have vast knowledge and training in supporting students with various needs and diverse backgrounds. As an educator, my passion is to teach and encourage other educators to master the art of data-based decision making and develop evidenced based practices that promote positive and inclusive learning environments for our students. I am excited to help our member districts understand ways to utilize data to develop and enhance instructional programs and practices that tap into students' strengths and propel them into a future of achieving their goals.

I have been with the WSGV SELPA since October 2023. Prior to working at the SELPA location, I was a food service worker under Alhambra School District for about a year. Currently, I am in my second year of college, and I am pursuing a degree in Business Administration at East Los Angeles College. During my free time, I love to go hiking and spend time with my two dogs.

The WSGV SELPA would like to thank everyone who came out to this year’s Craft Fair and for

making it a huge success! A big thank you goes out to Arcadia High School for hosting and

setting up their gym for the event, and to Arcadia Unified School District for all their support.

We had a wonderful turnout of students and classes from across the West San Gabriel Valley. They

brought with them an amazing array of holiday gifts. We were all impressed by the detail and craftsmanship that went into producing such amazing objects; from ornaments and candles,

to baskets and tables.

Spot-Ed online trainings and resources available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week are available at: https://pd.wsgvselpa.org/