Date and Time: Wednesday, September 27, 2023   8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $100 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  September 20, 2023

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

Problem solving, critical thinking and creativity are three skills in high demand for the leaders of the next generation. These traits are often overlooked and not taught in public schools. In this class we will explore ways to add creative options to what we already teach. We will discuss learning styles and the differences in right and left-brain learners, so we can teach to the whole class. You will leave with a better understanding of yourself and your students as well as how to be more creative individuals.

Presenter: Heather Seachris

Heather Seachris is an Art teacher at Haysville West Middle School. She has been teaching since 2006 and has taught at the elementary, middle and college levels. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Central Oklahoma and her masters in education from Friends University. A wife, mother, and adventurous traveler, Heather never wants to stop learning and exploring.

Date and Time: Wednesday, October 4, 2023   8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $100 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  September 27, 2023

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

Mental Health First Aid teaches:

• Information on depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis, and substance use.
• A 5-step action plan to help someone developing a mental health concern or in crisis.
• Available evidence-based professional, peer, and self-help resources.

Mental Health First Aid is listed in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration's National Registry of Evidence-Based Programs and Practices. Studies show that individuals trained in the program increase their knowledge of signs, symptoms and risk factors of mental illness and addictions; can identify multiple types of professional and self-help resources for individuals with a mental illness or addiction; increase their confidence in and likelihood to help an individual in distress; and show reduced social distance to individuals with mental illnesses.

The Adult Mental Health First Aid course is appropriate for anyone who wants to learn how to help adults who may be experiencing a mental health crisis or concern.

Presenter: Comcare

This course is delivered by certified Mental Health First Aid USA instructors who complete a 5-day training and meet certification requirements.

Date and Time: Thursday, October 05, 2023   8:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $50 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  September 28, 2023

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

Retirement is a time to kick back, relax, and reward yourself after your hard work and dedication in helping students achieve their best. Today we hope you learn how to make some long-term Chess moves now that will help you have a bit more financial freedom when your time to retire happens. Today's Workshop will help participants understand how to maximize their retirement benefits to reward themselves in retirement. Participants will walk away understanding their negotiated agreement, the salary schedule, and the opportunities available to maximize their monthly pension through KPERS and other programs. The goal is set up your Chess Match to have the winning moves in understanding that decisions made today impact KPERS benefits in the future.

Presenters: Al Hoffman and Keven McDonald

Al Hoffman is a School Psychologist for USD261. He began his career in 1999 working for USD259, then transferred to USD261 in 2018. He enjoys looking at the big picture by creating spread sheets and analyzing options to make the best financial decisions.

Keven McDonald recently retired after working in USD261 for 31 years as an English teacher and Counselor. He currently works as a Consultant for PowerSchool and a substitute teacher for USD261. Keven enjoys gardening, working out in the yard, and getting everything done for the day completed by 10:30AM.

Date and Time: Wednesday, November 1, 2023   8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $100 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  October 25, 2023

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

Designed with an eye toward the general education setting, participants emerge with tools ready for immediate implementation. The focus is on development of supports for the most challenging student in the class, the one for whom referral to the School Support Team may be under consideration. Utilizing a neurological perspective, setting conditions (school, community, and home) are explored. Factors explaining behavioral concerns are identified, supports are initiated, and data are kept regarding student response to supports. This learning experience is appropriate for administrators, general education teachers, and special education staff. Processes taught are effective at the preschool, elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Presenter: Linda Aldridge, ED.D.

Linda Aldridge, Ed.D., has worked in Kansas schools since 1983. In both general and special education roles, as a teacher and administrator, she is committed to continual improvement of services through relationships with school personnel, families, and students. Determined to model best instructional practices, participants learn through active involvement. Laughter and fun - guaranteed! But come with your learning caps on; when Linda teaches, you WILL go home with new tools in your box! Linda is an Associate Professor at Emporia State University. She also consults with the KS State Department of Education (KSDE) and Technical Assistance Support Network (TASN). In her spare time, Linda is owner of a consulting firm, laLearn, LLC.

Date and Time: Friday, November 10, 2023   8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $100 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  November 3, 2023

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

Self-Regulation includes a set of insights and skills students need for academic success, emotional control, and healthy social interaction. Helping young people improve their self-regulation skills can help them to better handle anger issues, anxieties, impulsiveness, academic challenges, classroom behavior issues, self-esteem struggles, social troubles and more. The presenter will provide recommendations and strategies that you will be able to use with all students, and in particular with students who have behavioral and/or emotional self-control issues. The content of this seminar is consistent with the principles underlying the RTI/MTSS and positive behavior supports movements. In this seminar you will learn how to apply step-by-step strategies/activities to teach young people how to increase self-regulation including: Cooling the Flame, My Warning Signs, Melting Freeze, You Can't Make Me Laugh, Free Emotional Expression, Challenge Software Program, and Defiance Trap.

Presenter: Brad Chapin, BS, LCP, LMLP

Brad Chapin is a best-selling author and an internationally recognized speaker in the area of self-regulation. He has nearly 20 years of experience in behavioral health serving children and adults. Brad has a passion for teaching parents and professionals the importance of helping children develop healthy self-regulation skills. He continues to create innovative strategies utilizing technology to engage children in the process. Brad believes that self-regulation provides an easy-to-learn and easy-to-implement framework for addressing many of the problem areas children and families experience including ADHD, anger/behavior problems, academic issues, social/emotional problems, autism spectrum disorders and anxiety/depression.

Date and Time: Wednesday, December 6, 2023   8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $100 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  November 29, 2023

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

All people are wired differently, and lots of times we are blind to our own pitfalls and challenges. The Myers-Briggs Personality Assessment will guide participants through the process of discovering different ways they interact with people, information and life experiences. Gaining insight into some of these traits (extraversion/introversion, intuitive/observant, thinking/feeling, judging/prospecting) can help us have compassion and understanding with ourselves and others. Understanding your personality type will not only help you become a better you, but it will help your relationships personally and professionally.

Presenter: Jennifer Winter

Jennifer Winter has almost 25 years of classroom experience in secondary education teaching history, psychology and AP psychology. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Wichita State University (go Shox!!) and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Friends University. Jennifer taught in USD259 for eight years and this is her 16th year at Campus High School. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with family and friends, reading, running, and going to concerts with her husband.

Date and Time: Friday, February 2, 2024   8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $100 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  January 26, 2024

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

Participants will gain clarity by moving beyond vague advice on how to manage challenges to developing a clear, practical skill set. This will increase the participant's ability to navigate challenges more successfully.

Presenter: Brad Chapin

Brad Chapin is a best-selling author and an internationally recognized speaker in the area of self-regulation. He has nearly 20 years of experience in behavioral health serving children and adults. Brad has a passion for teaching parents and professionals the importance of helping children develop healthy self-regulation skills. He continues to create innovative strategies utilizing technology to engage children in the process. Brad believes that self-regulation provides an easy-to-learn and easy-to-implement framework for addressing many of the problem areas children and families experience including ADHD, anger/behavior problems, academic issues, social/emotional problems, autism spectrum disorders and anxiety/depression.

Date and Time: Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024   8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $100 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  January 31, 2024

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

The purpose of this class is to give you work time to create books which you may not be able to do during your regular school day. Literacy and books are foundational in educating young learners at a variety of levels and abilities.

Please bring any supplies you may need to put your book(s) together. These could include: construction paper, glue, index cards, yarn, markers, colored pencils, cardstock, poster board, laptop, felt, foam shapes, scissors, Ziploc type bags and any additional craft supplies you will be using or that you might be willing to share with others.

Equipment and materials provided include: paper cutter, 3-hole punch, single-hole punch, stapler, yard stick and hot glue gun. A copier is available at the DJBLC. Please bring colored copies of any images which you intend to use.

If you have something else which relates to literacy which you 'd like to use this time to work on, please feel free to bring it. This can include things such as folder projects, games, flashcards, specially adapted worksheets, etc.

Presenter: Angie Hilt

Angie has endorsements in Early Childhood Special Education and Elementary Education. She has a Masters degree in Special Education, both High Incidence and Low Incidence. She currently works in the district as the Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments. This is her twenty-seventh year of teaching and she is trained in Alphabetic Phonics.

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 06, 2024   12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $50 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  February 28, 2024

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

Retirement is a time to kick back, relax, and reward yourself after your hard work and dedication in helping students achieve their best. Today we hope you learn how to make some long-term Chess moves now that will help you have a bit more financial freedom when your time to retire happens. Today's Workshop will help participants understand how to maximize their retirement benefits to reward themselves in retirement. Participants will walk away understanding their negotiated agreement, the salary schedule, and the opportunities available to maximize their monthly pension through KPERS and other programs. The goal is set up your Chess Match to have the winning moves in understanding that decisions made today impact KPERS benefits in the future.

Presenters: Al Hoffman and Keven McDonald

Al Hoffman is a School Psychologist for USD261. He began his career in 1999 working for USD259, then transferred to USD261 in 2018. He enjoys looking at the big picture by creating spread sheets and analyzing options to make the best financial decisions.

Keven McDonald recently retired after working in USD261 for 31 years as an English teacher and Counselor. He currently works as a Consultant for PowerSchool and a substitute teacher for USD261. Keven enjoys gardening, working out in the yard, and getting everything done for the day completed by 10:30AM.

Date and Time: Wednesday, March 27, 2024   8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $100 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  March 20, 2024

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

Looking for a way to communicate with students, parents, and your community? We will start with the basics of creating a Google Site. As the day progresses, you will learn how to add images, links, and embed documents such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. You can upload all of your classroom assignments and handouts quickly and easily. Learn how to use buttons, dividers, and other visuals to organize your curriculum.

Rachel Nally

Rachel Nally has twenty-eight years of classroom and library experience. Rachel has a Bachelor of Science in Business Education from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, Missouri as well as a Master's of Educational Technology degree from Pittsburg State University. Rachel is active on many committees and sponsors several school activities.

Date and Time: Wednesday, April 17, 2024   8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $50 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  April 10, 2024

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

Most things that teachers do work to support social emotional learning. Some things work really well and other things only make minor improvements (Hattie, 2008: Tokuhama-Espinosa, 2014). We want to gear our teaching to those things that we know work well to help all children learn necessary social and emotional skills. We can accomplish this through an interdisciplinary approach, pulling from the broad field of neuroscience. Participants will unpack strategies that work based on what we know from the most up to date science behind the way the brain learns.

Jennifer Taylor, MS

Jennifer earned a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from the University of Kansas and a master's degree in Special Education from Emporia State University. She served as a classroom teacher in various grade levels and as a special education teacher specializing in functional, behavioral, and academic instruction for students with varying abilities. Jennifer is a certified Collaborative Problem Solving trainer and Neurosequential Model in Education trainer. She continues to deepen her knowledge through on-going training and research. Jennifer aims to shift current systems in education toward preventative, proactive, brain aligned approaches for all children, so that all can experience felt-safety and inclusive teaching and learning practices.

Date and Time: July 8, 9, 10, & 11, 2024   8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $400 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  July 1, 2024

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

Personality tests are everywhere, and many of us love taking them because we want to see how close the descriptions are to the way we see ourselves. Unfortunately, most of these tests aren't very accurate. The Enneagram is different. It is an ancient typing system with uncanny accuracy in describing how each of us is wired, both positively and negatively. This workshop will take you on the Enneagram Journey with videos from Suzanne Stabile (a master teacher of the enneagram), reflection, and discussion. By the end of the four days, you will begin to understand WHY you do the things you do and react to situations the way you do. Knowing the enneagram will not only help you become a better you, but it will help your relationships personally and professionally.

Jennifer Winter

Jennifer Winter has almost 25 years of classroom experience in secondary education teaching history, psychology and AP psychology. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Wichita State University (go Shox!!) and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Friends University. Jennifer taught in USD259 for eight years and this is her 16th year at Campus High School. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with family and friends, reading, running, and going to concerts with her husband.

Date and Time: Tuesday, July 23, 2024   8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

Cost:  FREE to USD 261 Staff, $100 Out of District

Registration Deadline:  July 9, 2024

**Graduate credit available**

Class Description:

Inquiry in the classroom is nothing new but implementing effective strategies to build a productive classroom culture of "wonder" can feel overwhelming, especially if you don't feel confident teaching science. Next Generation Science Standards provide teachers with an opportunity to develop a curious mindset, but this takes a great deal of patience and practice that is often sprinkled with a fair amount of productive failure. So, what's the best way to understand the "inquiry method"? Well, get your hands dirty with it, of course!

Brian McCornack

Brian McCornack is a professor and department head for Entomology at Kansas State University. He has a MS and PhD in Entomology and grew up on a farm in southcentral Minnesota but has called Kansas home for the past 14 years. He is a research scientist who has over 20 years of classroom experience, but what he's most passionate about is helping teachers find their "inner scientist" in his Summer Soybean Science Institute and Ear-2-Ear Mentorship programs these past 11 years, where is the current director. He teaches primarily at the college level but uses techniques that cut across age levels to engage participants in the inquiry process.