Target Audience: Special education teachers, general education teachers, behavior interventionists
Join us for a professional development session titled “Trauma and Its Impacts” designed for both special education and general education teachers. This in-depth training will explore the profound effects of trauma on student learning and behavior, drawing insights from the books Educating Traumatized Students and The Poverty Problem. Participants will gain a comprehensive understanding of how trauma, especially in the context of poverty, influences students’ cognitive and emotional development, leading to challenges in the classroom. Through the lens of these powerful resources, teachers will learn practical strategies for creating trauma-sensitive classrooms that foster resilience, trust, and positive relationships. This session will equip educators with the knowledge and tools needed to support traumatized students and reduce barriers to learning, ensuring every student can thrive despite their circumstances. This will be an all-day, in-person training held at the CKEC Training Facility in Lexington, KY. For more information, contact maggie.hartlage@ckec.org. 6 Hours PD/EILA credit
Target Audience: Principals, Assistant Principals, Directors of Special Education, Special Education Teachers, Behavior Interventionists, General Education Teachers
This training is designed for administrators, special education teachers, behavior interventionists, general education teachers, and more led by John Hannigan. John Hannigan, EdD, is an author and speaker who has served in education for over 20 years as a teacher, instructional coach, principal, and county office leadership coach. This session will focus on practical strategies for improving student behavior and alternatives to traditional, exclusionary discipline practices centered around the “Don’t Suspend Me!” book. This training will be held at the Signature Club of Landsdown (3256 Lansdowne Dr, Lexington, KY 40502). If you have any questions, please email maggie.hartlage@ckec.org.
6 Hours PD/EILA Credit
Target Audience: Special Education Teachers, Instructional Coaches, General Education Teachers, Special Education Administrators
Using reinforcement correctly is one of the most effective ways to change behavior. During this two-hour virtual session, participants will learn how using reinforcement can be a game-changer for students with autism in their classrooms! Participants will explore examples of reinforcement strategies, schedules, menus, and preference assessments. Practical ways to apply these interventions in a resource room or general education classroom will be discussed. Participants will receive two hours of professional development credit for completing this session. Contact claire.johnson@ckec.org with any questions. 2 Hours PD Credit
Target Audience: High school MSD teachers, middle school MSD teachers, elementary MSD teachers, special education teachers, assistive technology consultants or specialists
Did you know that assistive technology should be considered for EVERY student with an IEP? Join CKEC to learn about different assistive technology tools that can be used to engage your students. This 3-hour, in-person session shows multiple ways to increase student engagement in a resource, co-teaching, or MSD classroom using different pieces of assistive technology. We discuss switches, a computer interface, mounting devices, and a variety of websites. You will find helpful videos, information on lending libraries, printable communication boards, and much more. Participants will receive 3 hours of professional development credit for attending this session. Contact claire.johnson@ckec.org with any questions.
Target Audience: High school MSD teachers, middle school MSD teachers, elementary MSD teachers, special education instructional consultants/coaches
Interested in implementing UFLI in your MSD classroom, but not sure where to start? This session is for you! On January 8th, we will have an in-person session to work together and dig into UFLI Foundations. During this session, our goals would be to enhance our background knowledge for teaching foundational reading, setting up the lessons, breaking down the lessons to meet student access needs, and more! Please note, that this session is specifically for special education teachers using UFLI with students who have complex needs, multiple disabilities, and/or limited verbal language. Participants who attend will receive a copy of UFLI Foundations and 6 PD hours for attending. If you have any questions, contact kasie.lakarosky@ckec.org or claire.johnson@ckec.org for more information.
Target Audience: Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Deeper Learning Leads, 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 2024-2025 school year. Day 1 will introduce participants to the basics of 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 (3/11/2025):
- 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 (4/22/2025):
- 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 (6/3/2025):
- 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
$500 fee for CKEC members
$750 for non-CKEC members
For more information, contact Erin McIver (erin.mciver@ckec.org)
Target Audience: All Educators (special ed, gen ed, interventions, instructional coaches, administrators)
Want to learn ways to “jazz” up your documents for your students, colleagues, and families? This session will introduce features that will enhance your documents and make them more engaging. 2 hours PD Credit
Contact laura.smith@ckec.org with questions.
Target Audience: All Educators (special ed, gen ed, interventions, instructional coaches, administrators)
Are you new to Canva or want to learn more about the unique features offered? Join us for a virtual session to explore tools and templates that can be used in your role as an educator. Learn ways to make your documents and presentations more engaging. 2 hours PD Credit
Contact laura.smith@ckec.org with questions.
Target Audience: Special Education Teachers, Interventionists, Instructional Coaches, Special Education Mentors
Learn about the valuable teaching resources the IRIS Center has to meet the needs of all students, specifically students with disabilities and struggling students. This resource offers a wealth of best practices and evidence-based strategies and information. 1 hour PD Credit
Contact laura.smith@ckec.org with questions.
Target Audience: General Education Teachers, Special Education Teachers, Instructional Coaches
Writing is a critical communication tool for students:
- to communicate information
- to clarify thinking
- to learn new concepts and information
This session will provide strategies and ideas to support student learning in any content area. This session is recommended for intermediate and secondary teachers who want to help their students better access and communicate content knowledge through the genre of nonfiction. 6-Hours PD
