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: 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: Instructional Coaches, Instructional Leaders, Teacher Leaders who facilitate PLCs

Effective PLCs don’t happen by accident—they happen on purpose. Join us for a powerful professional learning series designed to transform your PLC process from theory to action. In this hybrid experience, participants will engage in three one-hour virtual book study sessions exploring Make It Happen: Coaching With the 4 Critical Questions of PLCs at Work by Kim Bailey and Chris Jakicic. Together, we’ll unpack key ideas, reflect on current practices, and prepare to take our PLCs to the next level.

The series will culminate in a full-day, in-person session where participants will collaborate with other PLC instructional leaders to plan, revise, and refine their PLC structures. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to deepen your impact, this series will give you the tools and time to truly make it happen.

9/18/25	10/16/25	11/20/25	12/4/25
4:00-5:00 p.m. Virtual	4:00-5:00 p.m. Virtual	4:00-5:00 p.m. Virtual	8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. In-Person

1 Hour PD/EILA for each virtual session attended. 6 Hours PD/EILA for in-person Session attended.

$75 Fee for Member Districts and $125 Fee for Non-Member Districts

Contact holly.lawrence@ckec.org with questions.

Target Audience: General Education and Special Education Math Teachers grades 6-12; Instructional Coaches; Administrators

Are you looking for ideas to transform your middle or high school math class into a place where students want to learn and are engaged mathematicians?  Vibrant learning encourages students to take ownership of their learning–to make it matter to them.  In this workshop, you will unlock the power of rich tasks that challenge students to reason, problem-solve, and collaborate. Participants will learn how to foster a classroom culture where students explore big ideas, ask questions, and take intellectual risks.  You will be equipped with ready-to-use strategies that bring energy and purpose to every math lesson.

Participants will be asked to bring in at least one lesson that they can rework during the workshop.

Free for District Members and $125.00 Fee for Non-Members

6 Hours of EILA will be available. Contact mark.helton@ckec.org with questions.

Target Audience: Elementary Writing Teachers, Instructional Coaches

In-Person Session

Participants will learn essential strategies for building and maintaining a strong writing community in the elementary classroom. Discover what students should know and be able to do as writers, along with key instructional practices that support growth and foster independence. We will explore how to use assessment to benefit students, tailoring feedback and instruction to develop writers. Participants will also learn how to shift agency from teacher to student, creating a classroom environment where writers feel empowered and responsible for their own work. The first 15 participants to register will receive a copy of the book Answers to Your Biggest Questions About Teaching Elementary Writing to support the application of these practices in their classrooms.

6 hours of PD/EILA credit will be provided.

Free for Member Districts, $125.00 Fee for Non-Member Districts

Contact lindsey.ellis@ckec.org with questions.

Target Audience: Math Teachers grades K-12, Co-teachers, Special Education Teachers, Instructional Coaches

Transform your mathematics classroom into an active thinking environment where every student is engaged and challenged! This full-day, in-person workshop, based on Peter Liljedahl’s Building Thinking Classrooms in Mathematics, will explore the 14 optimal practices for thinking that create an ideal setting for deep mathematics learning to occur. During this interactive workshop, participants will explore research-based practices that create the optimal conditions for learner-centered, student owned deep mathematical thinking and learning.

6 Hours of PD/EILA Credit

$125.00 Fee for Non-Member Districts. Contact holly.lawrence@ckec.org with questions.

Target Audience:  Math Teachers grades 6-12, Co-teachers, Special Education Teachers, Instructional Coaches

This full-day, in-person workshop is designed to provide strategies to foster productive struggle in math classrooms. We will explore misconceptions and move towards building communities of mathematical thinkers in our classrooms. A focus will be on the Math Teaching Practices of implementing tasks that promote reasoning and problem solving, facilitating meaningful mathematical discourse, posing purposeful questions, and supporting productive struggle in learning mathematics.

During this session, participants will also receive an overview of the free tools of the Desmos Classroom Activity Builder. Participants will explore an activity from the student and teacher perspectives. Participants will learn how to create engaging activities that promote critical thinking and problem solving and begin developing an activity of their own.

6 Hours of PD/EILA Credit

$125.00 fee for Non-Member Districts.  Contact holly.lawrence@ckec.org with questions.