Speech-Language Specialist Professional Development Series

March 2024

The SRI&ETTC is proud to offer a Speech-Language Specialist professional development workshops presented by Stockton University faculty.

Speech-Language Specialist Workshop: Closing Out and Looking Ahead, End of Year Best Practices and Tips for Success - March 8, 2024

Spring is just around the corner and so is the busy time of year for speech-language specialists. Join us as we discuss best practices for closing out the current school year and planning ahead for next year. This is an opportunity to network with your peers on topics such as closing out the caseload, conducting evaluations, staffing in new students and determining when students are ready for dismissal.

Click here for more information or to register for the Speech-Language Specialist Professional Development workshop

Why the Humanities Matter Institute for Teachers Workshop: Media Literacy and Community Journalism for 21st Century Learners - March 1, 2024



How is news represented and consumed in today's media-saturated digital world? In this workshop, we will consider new approaches to media literacy in the classroom and examine the differences between traditional models of journalism and community-based models. This hands-on workshop will familiarize participants with the Stories of Atlantic City community journalism project and provide a blueprint for students to initiate similar initiatives within their own communities. Participants will receive a curated list of resources and classroom project ideas on community journalism. Presented by Toby Rosenthal.

Click here for more information or to register for the Media Literacy and Community Journalism workshop

Creating an Engaging Learning Environment

January 31, 2024

There is a strong correlation between student engagement and student achievement. But what does student engagement look like? The workshop goes beyond defining engagement by showing one dozen examples for use in the classroom.

In this workshop participants will discuss:

- Defining Engagement

- Thematic Units Using Multiple Intelligences

- Passive and Participatory Teaching

- Challenges That Can Prevent Engagement

- Problem-Based Learning

- Finding Your Divergent Thinkers

- Addressing Higher Order Thinking Skills

- Teaching Acceptance of Seeing Things Differently

- Accepting, Encouraging, and Celebrating Diverse Cultures and Ethnicity

- Are Schools Killing Creativity?

This workshop is beneficial for K-12 Teachers, ESL, Supervisors, Student Support Staff, Counselors, CST, Administrators, and Supervisors struggling with student engagement.

Click here for more information or to register for the Creating An Engaging Learning Environment workshop

The Science of Reading

February 7, 2024

The science of reading is a vast, interdisciplinary body of scientifically-based research about reading and issues related to reading and writing. This research has been conducted over the last five decades across the world and is derived from thousands of studies conducted in multiple languages. The science of reading has culminated in a preponderance of evidence to inform how proficient reading and writing develop; why some have difficulty; and how we can most effectively assess and teach and, therefore, improve student outcomes through prevention of and intervention for reading difficulties. This session will provide participants with strategies to shift practices to those that align with the research in order to improve student outcomes.

Click here for more information or to register for The Science of Reading workshop

Best Practices for Paraprofessionals

February 13, 2024

This workshop shows paraprofessionals how to successfully work side-by-side with the classroom teacher. Topics include:

-Classroom management

-Behavior management

-Teaching roles and strategies for paraprofessionals

-Student engagement

-Keeping creativity alive in the classroom

In this workshop paraprofessionals will learn strategies and techniques they can apply in the classroom the next day!

Click here for more information or to register for the Best Practices for Paraprofessionals workshop

Teach Your Students How to Write with Spice

February 15, 2024

The expanded version of this very successful and popular workshop will provide a full day of Spice Language Arts training, demonstrating how to identify and apply the skills needed to teach and enhance writing abilities at the elementary and middle school level for NJSLA. Language Arts teachers, special education teachers, and ELL teachers will learn a variety of techniques designed through years of practical use. Spice strategies have been successful in improving state assessment scores. After review of numerous state standards, participants will learn and practice unique assessment tools, skill application strategies for NJSLA prompts, and time testing awareness with encouragement tips. The instructor will demonstrate close reading and modeled writing strategies, unique skill teaching techniques, and application of common core and New Jersey's core curriculum language arts skills used in NJSLA essays. Written expression including chunking and conferencing will be covered extensively. Join us for an engaging day of Spice writing and you'll be prepared to help your students become better writers.

Click here for more information or to register for the Teach your Students How to write with Spice workshop

Write More, Grade Less - 16 Techniques

February 27, 2024

We all know that students perform better when more writing is added to their lessons…but, oh, the paper grading that follows! When you consider that teachers in the higher grades have as many as 150 students, it all adds up to lost weeknights and weekends. This workshop will give participants choices from sixteen different techniques for reducing their time spent grading papers, while increasing the writing skills and achievement rates of their students at the same time.

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Write More, Grade Less workshop

Climate Change Awareness Intensive

March 5, 2024

This full-day workshop is intended for any K-12 educator who would like to feel more confident integrating climate change standards into their content areas.

Attendees will learn the causes of climate change and its effects, as well as actionable steps to combat it. They will become familiar with the UN's sustainable development goals and how climate change relates to sustainability. Participants will be given research-based language to use with students, parents, and colleagues that will help them effectively communicate about climate change. Lastly, attendees will brainstorm ideas on how to meaningfully integrate climate change awareness, action, and literacy into their existing curricula.

Click here for more information or to register for the Climate Change Awareness Intensive

Planning for Summer Learning: Strategies for K-8

March 7, 2024

Rigorous academics and enrichment have led to a rise in ELA and Math scores for low-income students and students of color in programs throughout the country. The pandemic has resulted in many well-intentioned schools and districts prioritizing remediation, however, experts emphasize that schools should put rigor and grade-level learning at the forefront. This session will help school and district leaders think about summer learning differently. In this workshop participants will learn strategies for assisting students in accessing grade-level content in order to accelerate their learning, and participants will discuss how to make the most of your summer learning program with an emphasis on rigorous academics.

Click here for more information or to register for the

Planning for Summer Learning: Strategies for K-8 workshop

Strategies to De-escalate Conflict and Respond Effectively to Disruptive Student Behavior

March 13, 2024

In this workshop participants will learn how to develop caring and trusting relationships with students, and learn methods to help students de-escalate conflict and respond effectively to difficult social situations. Participants will learn to identify what disruptive students are communicating when they escalate conflict, and learn to understand the desperation cycle and how to end it. Participants will learn strategies to help disruptive students find more effective ways to meet their needs and work towards a more peaceful learning environment. In addition, educators will have the opportunity to discuss challenging behavior patterns with the instructor.

Click here for more information or to register for the Strategies To De-escalate Conflict workshop

Multi Language Learners in the Classroom: Rising to the Challenge

March 14, 2024

This training is designed for teachers who currently have multilingual learners in their classrooms and want to learn strategies, procedures, and practices that meet the needs of this student population. In this training, topics that are covered include understanding the language acquisition process, designing lessons that are comprehensible, differentiating and providing scaffolds, engaging language learners, and assessment strategies that both inform and encourage student growth. Whether your classroom is made up of 30% MLs and 70% English speakers or 10% MLs and 90% English speakers, this training is for you. It is a collaborative session where teachers can share their concerns and challenges and find the assistance, encouragement, and support system they need.

Through various activities, teachers will learn strategies for improving ML listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. All participants will be provided access to an online learning community focused on their unique needs.

Click here for more information or to register for the Multi Language Learners in the Classroom: Rising to the Challenge workshop

Uplifting Trauma-Impacted Immigrant Families: Practical Strategies for Welcoming Students and Families

April 23, 2024

During this session, participants familiarize themselves with the impact and nature of the trauma that immigrant students and families face in their journeys to the US and even after their arrival. Participants use their knowledge of ACEs and the neurobiology of stress to take a fresh look at the social and emotional impact these challenging experiences may have but also look at practical, hands-on classroom strategies to improve outcomes in classrooms and schools. Broadening the lens even further, participants explore exciting new initiatives and practices around the country that promote equity and welcome immigrant student families into the school community, and prepare them for success.

Click here for more information or to register for the Uplifting Trauma-Impacted Immigrant Families: Practical Strategies for Welcoming Students and Families workshop

Foundations of Arts Integration presented by Arts Ed NJ

April 26, 2024

Arts integration is an effective strategy for cultivating positive climate and culture, as well as deepening student engagement. This session will introduce participants in the fundamental components of high-quality arts integration. Participants will explore how to move confidently from planning to implementation. Drawing upon New Jersey's Arts Integration Think and Do Workbook, participants will identify realistic goals and develop concrete actions steps to guide their arts integration work. This workshop is open to all arts PreK-12 educators. It is recommended that school/district groups should include at least one arts educator and one non-arts educator.

This workshop is being presented by Arts Ed NJ, artsednj.org.

Click here to register for the Foundations of Arts Integration workshop