The Dr. John Burke Learning Center

Explore the Possibilities! Enroll in a workshop today!

36,658
LEARNERS

2,162
WORKSHOPS

12,926
TRAINING HOURS

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Workshop Attendees

We encourage all USD 261 staff to take advantage of the learning opportunities available at The Dr. John Burke Learning Center. Guests from other districts are always welcome to attend any of our workshops. We offer a full array of classes that are interactive, differentiated, job embedded, sustained and research based. Enroll in a workshop today!

Our Presenters!

The DJBLC has scheduled many well-known presenters and experts who are willing to share their knowledge and to lead workshops, such as Lynn Sawyer, Carol Simoneau, Kevin Honeycutt, Dan Meyer, Brad McCoy, and Dr. John Vandewalle. Along with these, The DJBLC utilizes the expertise of our district’s staff members as presenters, who have practical suggestions that are used successfully every day in their classrooms.

Explore Our Workshops

Behavior Function, What's Your Junction? - November 5, 2025

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Date and Time: Wednesday, November 5, 2025 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

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

Registration Deadline Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Graduate Credit Available

Class Description

Befuddled by student behavior? This session will explore the five functions of behavior and introduce participants to the concept of "replacement behavior". Participants will gain insight into how behavior communicates unmet needs and will begin to formulate responses meant to change the narrative while preserving relationships with students. This information is application to teachers of PreK-12th grade.

Dr. Christie Henderson

Dr. Christie Henderson is an assistant clinical professor in the School Counseling program at Wichita State University. Christie has worked in the field of education for 28 years serving as a teacher, instructional coach, mentor, staff developer and school counselor. Christie's research interests include teacher self efficacy and the impact on students learning and social emotional health especially post-pandemic. In 2024, Christie started Henderson Educational Consulting which allows her to offer her professional development, mentoring, keynote speaking and behavior support to Pre-K through 12 schools across Kansas.

CARE Child-Adult Relationship Enhancement - December 3, 2025

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Date and Time: Wednesday, December 3, 2025 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

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

Registration Deadline November 26, 2025

Graduate Credit Available

Class Description

CARE is designed for any adult who is working with any child to improve the relationship with children and teens and reduce mild to moderate behavior challenges. Through positive relationship, social emotional development and learning potential is enhanced.

While CARE uses many of the same ideas and skills that are part of these programs, it is not therapy. CARE is simply a way of life for any adult to interact with any child. It teaches a set of skills for relating and building relationships.
Through CARE, the child-adult relationship can be enhanced in any setting and with a multitude of populations.

Nicole M Klaus, Ph.D. is a board certified child and adolescent psychologist who has been practicing at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita since 2008. She is committed to training and increasing access to mental health care for youth across the state.
Kristen S Engel, Ph.D. is an associate professor with the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, providing evidence-based psychotherapy to patients across the age range with particular interest in working with children and adolescents.

Social Work Ethics (AM) & Youth Suicide Prevention (PM) - January 14, 2026

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Date and Time: Wednesday, January 14, 2026 (AM Session 8:30-11:30) (PM Session 12:30-3:30)

Attend one or both sessions!

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

Registration Deadline: January 7, 2026

Graduate Credit Available

Class Description

The Social Work Session in the morning will discuss current events including legislation and proposed bills
that directly impact social work.

The Youth Suicide Prevention Session in the afternoon
may be used to fulfill the requirements for suicide prevention training by the Jason Flatt Act and could
be extremely helpful for administrators and teachers to attend as well as social workers and school
counselors.

Perry Malzahn, LSCSW
Perry is a clinically experienced therapist with specialized training working with children, adolescents, individuals, and families. She has served clients struggling with the spectrum of trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, infidelity, peripartum concerns, adoptions, and individuals with borderline personality disorder in a variety of settings such as inpatient and outpatient facilities, hospitals, schools, and on military installations.
https://www.cornerstonetherapycollective.com/perry

Cari Mekaeil, LSCSW
Cari is a licensed therapist in Kansas with over 14 years of experience providing therapy to children, teens, and adults in a variety of clinical settings including child welfare, community-based, private practice, telehealth, and the
schools. Her areas of expertise include treatment of survivors of child abuse, traumatic grief and loss, chronic stress, anxiety, and life purpose.
https://www.betterhelp.com/cari-mekaeil/

Dyslexia: The Basics - January 21, 2026

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Date and Time: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

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

Registration Deadline: January 14, 2026

Graduate Credit Available

Class Description

This workshop offers a comprehensive introduction to dyslexia—what it is, how it is identified, and the ways it influences reading, writing, and learning. Participants will explore the common signs of dyslexia and gain a stronger understanding of how it presents across different ages and stages. The session will also touch on what it feels like to be a student with dyslexia, helping educators develop greater empathy and awareness of the daily
challenges these learners face. By the end, attendees will leave with a solid foundation for recognizing and supporting students with dyslexia, as well as practical knowledge they can bring back to their classrooms and schools.

Sarah Balzer

Sarah Balzer has worked in education for 17 years across a wide range of settings, including public
schools in Kansas, military schools, high-ESOL population schools in California, and an
international school in China. She has 10 years of classroom experience in various grades spanning
from 1st through HS, has served as a K–5 reading specialist, and has worked as a district ESOL
coordinator and dyslexia specialist supporting students and teachers from PreK through 12th
grade. She holds a master ’s degree in Administrative Leadership, is a Certified Academic Language
Therapist (CALT), and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT). Currently, she runs her own private practice,
where she provides reading therapy, Stern Math intervention, and evaluations for dyslexia and
dyscalculia.

Bridges Out Of Poverty January 28, 2026

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Date and Time: Wednesday January 28, 2026 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

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

Registration Deadline: January 21, 2026

Graduate Credit Available

Class Description

Bridges Out of Poverty is a comprehensive approach to understanding the dynamics that cause and
maintain poverty, from the individual to the systemic level. Bridges uses the lens of economic class
and provides concrete tools and strategies for a community to prevent, reduce, and alleviate
poverty. Based on the research by Dr. Ruby Payne, Phillip DeVol, and Terie Dreussel-Smith and
outlined in their book of the same title. Participants of this workshop will:

Examine the resources by which you create stability.
Discover the causes of poverty.
Create and analyze mental models of economic environments.
Discover the hidden rules of economic class.
Analyze language and story structure.
Discuss stability within family and support systems and the importance of building social capital.

Participants will receive the book: Bridges out of Poverty, 5th edition by Payne, DeVol, and
Dreussi-Smith.

About the Presenter

Emily Goetz has worked with families in the Haysville Schools for the last 18 years.
Emily has a BS in Elementary Education and currently serves in the role of Director of Haysville
Parents as Teachers and Vice-President of the Board for Kansas Parents as Teachers. Her work has
allowed her to support Parent Educators from across the state of KS while they work with families
from all backgrounds. Emily found her passion for family support while working in a downtown
Wichita, KS Kindergarten classroom over 25 years ago. There, she was introduced to Ruby Payne’s
work, A Framework for Understanding Poverty. Throughout her career, Emily revisited this work at numerous conferences for education and home-visiting as well as while working with families one-on-one. Emily became an aha! Process, Inc Certified Trainer for ‘Bridges out of Poverty’ and Certified Facilitator for ‘Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World’ in 2024.

Emotional Resilience In Teaching - March 4, 2026

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Date and Time: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

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

Registration Deadline February 25, 2026

Graduate Credit Available

Class Description

This session will explore the ways in which teaching requires us to commit to self-care. We will spend time exploring topics and issues in the field of teaching that require us to truly care for our bodies and minds so we can be present and ready in our classrooms every day. This session will offer some “easy to implement” strategies for difficult days and participants will leave with a clear idea how to address and confront the difficult days and times in their classroom. This workshop is applicable to teachers of grades PreK-12th.

Dr. Christie Henderson

Dr. Christie Henderson is an assistant clinical professor in the School Counseling program at Wichita State University. Christie has worked in the field of education for 28 years serving as a teacher, instructional coach, mentor, staff developer and school counselor. Christie’s research interests include teacher self efficacy and the impact on student’s learning and social emotional health especially post-pandemic. In 2024, Christie started Henderson Educational Consulting which allows her to offer professional development, mentoring, keynote speaking and behavior support to PreK through 12 schools across Kansas.

Dyslexia: A Deep Dive - April 17, 2026

Register Here

Date and Time: Friday April 17, 2026 8:30 AM - 3:30 PM

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

Registration Deadline: April 3, 2026

Graduate Credit Available

Class Description

This workshop is designed for educators seeking a deeper understanding of dyslexia and its impact in the classroom. Participants will explore the neurological foundations of dyslexia, examine why it presents differently from one student to another, and learn key indicators for identification. The session will also address the frequent overlap between dyslexia and other learning differences, including dyscalculia, ADHD, processing disorders, DLD, etc. In addition, educators will gain practical strategies for support, ranging from effective classroom accommodations to instructional approaches that foster a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Sarah Balzer

Sarah Balzer has worked in education for 17 years across a wide range of settings, including public
schools in Kansas, military schools, high-ESOL population schools in California, and an
international school in China. She has 10 years of classroom experience in various grades spanning
from 1st through HS, has served as a K–5 reading specialist, and has worked as a district ESOL
coordinator and dyslexia specialist supporting students and teachers from PreK through 12th
grade. She holds a master ’s degree in Administrative Leadership, is a Certified Academic Language
Therapist (CALT), and a Licensed Dyslexia Therapist (LDT). Currently, she runs her own private practice,
where she provides reading therapy, Stern Math intervention, and evaluations for dyslexia and
dyscalculia.

WORKSHOP BROCHURES

"
I loved every part of the presentation and wish I had something like this offered to me as a high school freshman.

"

I thoroughly enjoyed the training and I took just as much away from it for myself personally as I did for the kids that I work with.

"

Very relevant information! Students could benefit from the organizational tips, study skills, and above all the test taking tips. The presentation was simple and easy to understand.

Do you want to learn more about a specific subject?

Our Accommodations Are First Rate!

Two Large Meeting Rooms
Large Conference Room
Computer Lab
Kitchen Facilities
Dining Facilities
Professional Library

Front of the building — Front of Building

Large Rooms to Rent for Events — Large Rooms To Rent for Events

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Consider The Dr. John Burke Learning Center!

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Penny Schuckman
Director of The Learning Center
Email: [email protected]

Penny Schuckman LinkedIn

Karin Lindsay
Receptionist
Email:[email protected]


150 Stewart, Haysville, KS 67060 Telephone: 316-554-2331 Owned & Operated by USD 261 Haysville Public Schools Follow Us On Social Media Facebook Twitter

The Dr. John Burke Learning Center

Register to Attend Our Workshops!

Workshop Attendees

Our Presenters!

Explore Our Workshops

Do you want to learn more about a specific subject?

Our Accommodations Are First Rate!

VISIT US!

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