10/23/25, 11/20/25, 12/18/25, 1/22/26, 2/26/26, 3/26/26, 4/23/26 Parent and Family Engagement Cadre

Target Audience: General Education Teachers, Counselors,  Administrators, Special Ed

CKEC and SESC invite you to partner with us for the Virtual Parent & Family Engagement Cadre.

Join us virtually from 9:00–10:30 am EST on 10/23/25, 11/20/25, 12/18/25, 1/22/26, 2/26/26, 3/26/26, and 4/23/26. Together, we will explore resources and share ideas to strengthen the inclusion of parents and families in students’ school experiences. Sessions will feature guest speakers who are experts in family and community engagement, as well as opportunities to connect with participants across the region to highlight and learn from practices that are working in schools.

12/1/2025-Unlocking Literacy: Cracking Multisyllabic Words

Target Audience: General Education Teachers working with students with IEPs, Co-Teachers, Interventionists, Instructional Coaches, Resource Teachers

Unlocking Literacy: Cracking Multisyllabic Words– Big words don’t have to be big barriers. In this session, learn simple, powerful strategies to help students break down and read multisyllabic words with confidence and independence.

Two hours of PD credit will be awarded for participation in this virtual session. For questions, contact erica.price@ckec.org.

1/12/2026-Unlocking Literacy: Building Fluency for Comprehension

Target Audience: General Education Teachers working with students with IEPs, Co-Teachers, Interventionists, Instructional Coaches, Resource Teachers

Unlocking Literacy: Building Fluency for Comprehension– Fluency is the bridge between decoding and understanding. This session highlights practical methods to help adolescents read smoothly and expressively so they can focus on making meaning. 

Two hours of PD credit will be awarded for participation in this virtual session. For questions, contact erica.price@ckec.org.

2/17/2026- Unlocking Literacy: Strategies for Powerful Vocabulary

Target Audience: General Education Teachers working with students with IEPs, Co-Teachers, Interventionists, Instructional Coaches, Resource Teachers

Unlocking Literacy: Strategies for Powerful Vocabulary– Vocabulary is the key to deeper comprehension across all subjects. This session offers research-based strategies for teaching word meanings in ways that stick and transfer to new learning. 

Two hours of PD credit will be awarded for participation in this virtual session. For questions, contact erica.price@ckec.org.

3/19/2026-Unlocking Literacy: Helping Students Read It, Think It, Write It

Target Audience: General Education Teachers working with students with IEPs, Co-Teachers, Interventionists, Instructional Coaches, Resource Teachers

Unlocking Literacy: Helping Students Read It, Think It, Write It– Reading and writing work best when connected. In this session, discover strategies that help students turn what they understand from text into strong, thoughtful written responses 

Two hours of PD credit will be awarded for participation in this virtual session. For questions, contact erica.price@ckec.org.

12/9/2025-Beyond Suggestions: Effective SDI and Accommodations for Student Behavior

Target Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Instructional Boaches, and Administrators

Join us for a practical, in-person training focused on effective specially designed instruction (SDI) and the use of accommodations and modifications to support student behavior within the IEP process. This session will break down what high-quality SDI looks like in classrooms and provide real-world examples you can apply immediately.

Through interactive discussion and classroom-based scenarios, participants will learn how to select, implement, and monitor SDI and accommodations that make a meaningful difference for students. Participants will walk away with strategies to strengthen IEP implementation, support positive behavior, and create more inclusive and effective learning environments.

This training is designed for general education teachers, special education teachers, instructional coaches, and administrators who want to feel more confident in applying IEP support in everyday practice.

  • Type of Training: Face-to-Face, In-Person at CKEC – Rm. 180
  • PD/EILA Hours: 6
  • Date/Time: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM


For questions, please contact trae.jones@ckec.org.

2/11/2026-Don’t Poke the Bear: Staying Cool When Behavior Heats UP

Target Audience: Special Education Teachers, General Education Teachers, Paraeducators

Join us for an in-depth, in-person training that introduces the “acting out” cycle and effective de-escalation practices. This session is designed to help educators recognize the stages of escalating behavior, respond proactively, and apply strategies that reduce the likelihood of crisis while maintaining a safe, supportive classroom environment.

Through guided instruction, practical examples, and interactive activities, participants will gain essential skills to better manage challenging behaviors, protect instructional time, and foster positive student relationships. Participants will walk away with tools you can implement immediately to create calmer and more effective learning spaces.

This training is designed for special education teachers, general education teachers, and paraeducators who want to build confidence and effectiveness in behavior management.

  • Type of Training: Face-to-Face, In-Person at CKEC – Rm. 180
  • PD/EILA Hours: 6
  • Date/Time: Wednesday, February 11, 2025 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM


For questions, please contact trae.jones@ckec.org.

1/15/2026-Neurodiversity in Action: Preventing Disability Harassment and Building Inclusive Schools

Target Audience: Special Education Teachers, Guidance Counselors, Principals, School Psychologists, Directors of Special Education

Every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and valued. This interactive 3-hour professional learning session equips educators with the tools to recognize the strengths of neurodiverse learners while addressing the serious issue of disability harassment. Participants will:

  • Explore the concept of neurodiversity through a strengths-based lens.
  • Learn how to identify disability harassment and understand legal responsibilities under IDEA, Section 504, and the ADA.
  • Practice practical strategies—including bystander intervention and trauma-informed responses—to stop harassment when it happens.
  • Develop an action plan to foster an inclusive school climate where differences are celebrated, not targeted.

Through case studies, role-play, and collaborative planning, educators will leave prepared to champion neurodiversity and safeguard every learner’s right to thrive.  This session is in-person.  PD and/or EILA credit will be provided.

Contact kim.hinton@ckec.org with questions.

 

12/10/2025 Special Education 101 for Administrators

This interactive session is designed to equip principals with foundational knowledge on the legal and educational requirements for students with disabilities. 

Key Topics:

  1. The Legal Framework of Special Education
  2. The Role of the Principal in Special Education
  3. Do’s and Don’ts of Supporting Students with Disabilities
  4. Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

By the end of this session, principals will have a clearer understanding of their legal obligations and best practices for supporting students with disabilities.

2/12/2026-Better Together: Falling in Love with Collaboration – Teamwork Between Special Education Teachers and Related Service Providers ❤️

Target Audience: Special education teachers, Related Service providers, Directors of Sped

Celebrate February by “falling in love” with collaboration! This interactive professional learning session is designed for special education teachers and related service providers to strengthen teamwork, streamline communication, and enhance student outcomes. Participants will explore creative strategies for co-planning, co-teaching, shared data collection, and IEP meetings—all through a playful Valentine’s Day theme. Through hands-on activities, role-plays, and case studies, teams will leave with practical tools and a “heartfelt” plan to boost collaboration in their schools.

Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be able to:

  • Identify roles and responsibilities of SETs and RSPs and how they complement each other.
  • Apply practical collaboration strategies for co-planning, co-teaching, and shared data collection.
  • Address common barriers to collaboration and implement actionable solutions.
  • Develop a personalized collaboration action plan to enhance teamwork and student success.

Contact kim.hinton@ckec.org with questions.