Target Audience: General Education Teachers working with students with IEP’s, Co-Teachers, Interventionists, Instructional Coaches, Resource Teachers
This professional development session provides educators with an in-depth understanding of the UFLI Foundations program—a comprehensive, systematic phonics curriculum developed by the University of Florida Literacy Institute. Grounded in the science of reading, UFLI Foundations is designed to help educators deliver explicit and sequential instruction in phonemic awareness, phonics, decoding, encoding, and irregular word recognition.
Participants will explore the key components of the UFLI program, including the structure of daily lessons, the use of decodable texts, and multisensory routines that support all learners, particularly those at risk for reading difficulties. Hands-on modeling, guided practice, and implementation strategies will be provided to support immediate application in the classroom.
Participants will receive a copy of UFLI Foundations and each will receive 6 PD hours for attending this in-person session. If you have any questions, contact erica.price@ckec.org
Target Audience: Special Education Teachers, Instructional Coaches, General Education Teachers, Special Education Administrators, Speech Language Pathologists, Occupational Therapists
This two-hour virtual professional development session will focus on two foundational strategies proven to support students on the autism spectrum: Antecedent Behavior Interventions and Visual Supports.
Participants will first explore how changing what happens before a behavior of concern—known as antecedent interventions—can increase positive outcomes for autistic students. The session will define key components, provide real-world examples, and offer practical applications for both resource rooms and general education classrooms.
Next, participants will dive into the use of visual supports, one of the “Foundational Five” best practices for students with autism. The session will cover visual schedules, routines, classroom expectations, and communication tools that help create structure and predictability for learners.
By the end of the session, educators will walk away with practical strategies they can implement immediately to promote independence, reduce behavior challenges, and create more inclusive environments.
Contact erica.price@ckec.org with any questions.
Target Audience: Principals, Assistant Principals, Directors of Special Education, Special Education Coaches and Consultants, Instructional Leaders
MSD classrooms are very unique, and it is common for principals to feel lost in how to help their MSD teachers grow and improve their practice. Join us for a session that will help to gain practical insights into using the Autism and Low Incidence Classroom Observation Tool (ALCOT) to enhance instructional practices and classroom environments. Administrators will learn about the components of the ALCOT, how to use it for coaching, and explore resources to help MSD teachers grow in identified areas. Two hours of EILA or PD credit will be awarded for attending this virtual session. .
Contact erica.price@ckec.org with any questions.
Target Audience: General Education Teachers working with students with IEP’s, Co-Teachers, Interventionists, Instructional Coaches, Resource Teachers
Students with moderate to severe disabilities (MSD) may exhibit challenging behaviors that are often communicative in nature. This professional learning session is designed to help educators understand the behavioral escalation cycle and apply effective de-escalation strategies tailored to the needs of students with autism and low incidence disabilities.
Participants will explore the stages of the escalation cycle—from calm to recovery—and learn how to identify triggers, implement preventive strategies, and respond appropriately at each stage. The training emphasizes the importance of proactive supports, visual communication tools, and fostering student self-regulation. Attendees will also receive guidance on developing individualized de-escalation plans and supporting paraprofessionals in crisis situations.
Participants will receive 2 hours of professional development credit for attending this virtual session. For questions, contact erica.price@ckec.org
Target Audience: K-12 Social Studies Teachers, Social Studies Co-Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Administrators, Curriculum Coordinators
Effective social studies instruction begins with a deep understanding of the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Social Studies. In this full-day session, K-12 educators will engage in an interactive exploration of the vision, design, and instructional implications of the standards. Participants will unpack the architecture and organization of the KAS, focusing on the integration of disciplinary concepts, inquiry practices, and interdisciplinary literacy skills to enhance student learning. By the end of this session, participants will leave with practical strategies, instructional tools, and resources to support standards-based planning and assessment. Whether you’re new to the KAS for Social Studies or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide clarity, confidence, and actionable takeaways for effective classroom implementation.
6 hours of PD/EILA credit will be provided.
Free for Member Districts, $125.00 for Non-Member Districts
Contact lindsey.ellis@ckec.org for more information.
Target Audience: Measurable Results: Practical Steps To Improve Student Achievement
In schools, the pressure to perform on measurable assessments (KSA, ACT, and others) sometimes seems unbearable. Schools often resort to gimmicks and motivational techniques that, even when effective, are short-term solutions. These efforts are exhausting – for the students and the staff. In this series, you will discover substantive systems and structures that can be put into place, leading to lasting, sustainable improvement in academic performance.
9 Hours Total EILA Credit
Contact david.young@ckec.org with questions.
Target Audience: All Teachers of Mathematics, Instructional Coaches, Administrators, Curriculum Coordinators, Deeper Learning Teachers
Effective instruction and learning experiences for students are deeply rooted in knowledge of content standards. It is especially important for teachers to deeply know their standards in order to address gaps in learning. This in-person session is ideal for mathematics teachers at all levels (and those who support them) as it will provide clarity around the Kentucky Academic Standards for Mathematics. Participants will learn how to break down mathematics standards and determine what mastery of a standard looks like. We will utilize a protocol to review assignments and determine congruence to the standards. In addition to tools and strategies, participants will leave with a folder of resources to help implement this work.
Free for Member Districts and $125 for Non-Member Districts
6 hours of EILA credit will be provided.
Contact mark.helton@ckec.org with questions.
Target Audience: K-12 Science Teachers, Science Co-Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Administrators, Curriculum Coordinators
Effective science instruction begins with a deep understanding of the Kentucky Academic Standards (KAS) for Science. In this full-day session, K-12 educators will engage in an interactive exploration of the vision, design, and instructional implications of the standards. Participants will unpack the architecture and organization of the KAS, focusing on the three dimensions that, when used together, support students’ deep understanding of the sciences, how science knowledge is acquired and understood, and how the sciences are all connected through concepts that have a common application across the disciplines. These three dimensions include: science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas. By the end of this session, participants will leave with practical strategies, instructional tools, and resources to support standards-based planning and assessment. Whether you’re new to the KAS for Science or looking to refine your approach, this session will provide clarity, confidence, and actionable takeaways for effective classroom implementation.
Free for Member Districts and $125 for Non-Member Districts
6 hours of PD/EILA credit will be provided.
Contact holly.lawrence@ckec.org with questions.
Target Audience: K-12 Reading and Writing ELA Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Administrators, Curriculum Coordinators
Effective instruction and learning experiences for students are deeply rooted in knowledge of content standards. It is especially important for teachers to deeply know their standards in order to address gaps in learning. This in-person session is ideal for English Language Arts teachers and special education teachers at all levels as it will provide clarity around the Kentucky Academic Standards for Reading and Writing. Participants will learn how to break down Reading and Writing standards and determine what mastery of a standard looks like. We will utilize a protocol to review assignments and determine congruence to the standards, as well as examine how to construct authentic assessments connected to a standard. Participants will also learn how to apply knowledge of standards to improve lesson planning and instructional practices. In addition to these tools and strategies, participants will leave with a folder of resources to help implement this work.
Free for Member Districts and $125 for Non-Member Districts
6 hours of PD/EILA credit will be provided.
Contact erin.mciver@ckec.org with questions.
Target Audience: Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Administrators
Thinking Maps is a set of 8 visual patterns that correlate to specific cognitive processes. Based on the building blocks of brain-based learning, they are used across all grades and content areas to build critical thinking, problem-solving, comprehension, and communication skills necessary for academic success in every domain. Participants who register for this training will sign up for a three-day cohort during the 2025-2026 school year. Day 1 will introduce participants to the basics of the implementation of Thinking Maps. Days 2 and 3 are designed to help teachers move beyond the basics by building on their base of knowledge by utilizing Thinking Maps in their classrooms. Participants in this cohort will receive a FREE, physical copy of Thinking Maps: A Language for Learning, 2nd Ed. Teacher’s Guide.
Day 1 Overview (9/11/2025):
- Examination of building blocks of brain-based learning
- Introduction to the Defining Characteristics of Thinking Maps
- Learning the Thinking Maps: 8 Visual Patterns for Critical Thinking
- Strategies for developing independent learners: teaching the maps to students
Day 2 Overview (11/10/2025):
- Use color to rehearse, enhance, and add rigor to content knowledge
- The metacognitive importance of the Frame of Reference for rigorous and reflective thinking
- How to use multiple maps and help students build maps in cooperative teams
- Strategies to help students communicate ideas and take information off the map
Day 3 Overview (1/27/2026):
- Vocabulary development strategies
- Strategies to help students communicate ideas and take information off the map
- Writing short, constructed responses off the map
- Identifying text structures for note-taking
$375 fee for CKEC members
$500 for non-CKEC members
District Bundle Option: Every fifth registration from a district is free.
For more information, contact Erin McIver (erin.mciver@ckec.org)
