Local Professional Learning Opportunities

View our options for Professional Learning below by clicking on the tabs for PLA Facilitated Courses, Gifted or ASD Endorsement Courses, Additional Professional Learning, or Paraprofessional Learning.

Descriptions and registration links are included with the details for the courses, and courses are listed in order of the start date for each class.

You can also view our Professional Learning Opportunities on our

Upcoming Events Page

PLA Facilitated Courses

PLA Offerings: 2025-2026 School Year

The BEESS Portal to Professional Learning Alternatives (PLA) is a partnership between the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Student education (BEESS) and the Bureau of Educator Certification. Available to Florida educators since 2003, the courses are funded by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS). Courses are coordinated by the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) Administration Project and the eighteen FDLRS Network Associate Centers, a FLDOE/BEESS project, in collaboration with the Florida Center for Interactive Media at FSU.

The courses listed on this page are the ones that are facilitated by our center, and will be taught by either FDLRS Heartland personnel or by teachers from one of the Heartland districts (DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, or Highlands). Educators can now elect to register for ANY of the PLA courses offered through any FDLRS Center. The list of Facilitated courses and their descriptions can be found on the statewide portal (https://fl-pla.org), and registration is centrally located on the FDLRS Upcoming Courses page. There is also a General FAQ document available that has additional details about what a Facilitated PLA Course entails.

Participants will access the materials through the online learning portal for PLA courses, in addition to attending mandatory Zoom "face-to-face" meetings. Participants will receive information about their first virtual meeting, which will occur on Day 1 of the course, in the week prior to the start date. During this first meeting, login information and how to access materials will be discussed, as well as class pacing and other details about coursework.

DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, and Highlands counties will all register at the main FDLRS Upcoming Courses webpage (if you are looking for one of our center's courses specifically, you will see a course code beginning with "HE" at the bottom of the listing).

Quarter 1 (July to September 2025)

Exploring Structured Literacy

Course Dates: July 29 through October 9, 2025 (11 week course)
Inservice Points: 40 inservice points (also satisfies 20 SWD point requirement). This course meets the 40 hours for the reading instruction certification requirement for teachers established in Rule 6A-4.0051, F.A.C., Renewal and Reinstatement of a Professional Certificate.
Instructor: Sasha Tack
Description: This course will allow educators to develop, increase, and demonstrate knowledge of explicit, systematic, sequential, and multi-sensory approaches to reading instruction as outlined in the 40-hour in-service requirement identified in Florida Statute s. 1012.585(3) F.S. In order for educators to effectively meet the needs of students with persistent reading difficulties and disabilities, including dyslexia, emphasis of this professional learning opportunity is focused on reading instruction that builds a strong, cumulative, and logical foundation of phonology, sound-symbol associations, syllables, morphology, semantics, and syntax.
Meetings: There will be four required virtual evening meetings during the course: July 29, August 19, September 9, and September 23.

Exploring Structured Literacy

Course Dates: September 17 through December 10, 2025 (11 week course)
Inservice Points: 40 inservice points (also satisfies 20 SWD point requirement). This course meets the 40 hours for the reading instruction certification requirement for teachers established in Rule 6A-4.0051, F.A.C., Renewal and Reinstatement of a Professional Certificate.
Instructors: Donna Trucchio
Description: This course will allow educators to develop, increase, and demonstrate knowledge of explicit, systematic, sequential, and multi-sensory approaches to reading instruction as outlined in the 40-hour in-service requirement identified in Florida Statute s. 1012.585(3) F.S. In order for educators to effectively meet the needs of students with persistent reading difficulties and disabilities, including dyslexia, emphasis of this professional learning opportunity is focused on reading instruction that builds a strong, cumulative, and logical foundation of phonology, sound-symbol associations, syllables, morphology, semantics, and syntax.
Meetings: There will be four required virtual evening meetings during the course: September 17, October 8, October 29, and November 12.

Foundations of ESE

Course Dates: August 20 through November 5, 2025
Inservice Points: 60 inservice points (also satisfies 20 SWD point requirement)
Instructor: Gina Sandusky-Nelson
Description: This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge about students with disabilities as related to state and federal legislation and case law. The course provides information about appropriate legal and ethical practices and different disability categories. The course content includes information on how to create a successful learning environment, the components and team members of the individualized education process and using models of support for students with disabilities to ensure success with the general education curriculum.
Meetings: There will be three required virtual evening meetings during the course: August 20, September 24, and October 23, 2025

Introduction to Differentiating Instruction

Course Dates: July 30 through September 25, 2024 (7 week course)
Inservice Points: 20 SWD points
Instructor: Lisa Shin
Description: This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge about proactively providing a universally designed and differentiated environment in order to maximize student achievement for all students. Emphasis is on the importance of having clarity about the learning targets and proactively adjusting instruction utilizing a data-based decision-making process that considers students’ readiness for the content, interests, and learning preferences. Content and activities emphasize how to proactively provide important, engaging, and appropriately challenging work via flexible grouping methods and utilizing a variety of instructional strategies and supports.
Meetings: There will be three required virtual evening meetings during the course: July 30, August 13, and September 3.

Matrix of Services

Course Dates: August 12 through September 11, 2025 (4 week course)
Inservice Points: 5 points
Instructor: Gina Sandusky-Nelson
Description: This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge about the Matrix of Services. Content and activities examine the requirements for matrix completion and provide the opportunity to accurately complete a matrix for students with disabilities. The course identifies how student educational needs and services impact the matrix funding document.
Meetings: There will be four required virtual evening meetings during the course: August 12, August 19, August 26, and September 2.

Quarter 2 (October to December 2025)

Differentiating Science Instruction

Course Dates: September 24 through December 10, 2025 (10 week course)
Inservice Points: 30 SWD points
Instructor: Lisa Shin
Description: This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge about applying the guidelines of differentiation to science instruction for the purposes of increasing student achievement for all learners. Content and activities emphasize how to use pre-assessment, continuous assessment, and summative assessments to design and deliver effective science lessons for whole group initial instruction and how to effectively use flexible small group instruction and individualized instruction, when needed, to respond to each student’s needs.
Meetings: There will be three required virtual evening meetings during the course: September 24, October 8, and November 5, 2025.

Engaging Learners through Informative Assessment

Course Dates: October 7 through November 19, 2025 (8 week course)
Inservice Points: 20 SWD points
Instructor: Toia Addison
Description: This course enables educators to develop, increase, and demonstrate knowledge about learning and applying each step of the formative assessment process to increase student achievement. Content includes using data-based decision making to be responsive to each student’s needs and clarifying the relationship of the formative assessment process to Florida’s multi-tiered system of student supports (MTSS) that encompasses the Problem Solving and Response to Instruction/Intervention (PS-RtI) Framework.
Meetings: There will be three required virtual evening meetings during the course: October 7, October 21, and November 11, 2025.

Quarter 3 (January to March 2026)

Quarter 4 (April to June 2026)

Gifted Endorsement Courses

Gifted Endorsement Offerings: 2025-2026 School Year

The Gifted Endorsement is designed to increase the level of knowledge, expertise, and understanding of educators working with students who are gifted. The endorsement is intended to raise the awareness of the unique characteristics, emotional/social needs, and other challenges and issues associated with the students who are gifted. It is designed to foster an understanding of historical, state, and national trends, policies and guidelines to ensure implementation of appropriate academic curriculum, differentiation strategies, educational intervention, and support for this diverse population.

FDLRS Heartland's free Gifted Endorsement Courses offered locally will be taught by Donna Trucchio and/or Gina Sandusky-Nelson. You will have mandatory virtual "face-to-face" meetings combined with online assignments, quizzes, and/or discussions on the Moodle platform. You must complete all coursework and submit your evaluation by the course end dates listed with each course in order to receive inservice credit.

The Gifted Endorsement Add-On Program consists of five courses (300 hours). Four Gifted courses will be offered through FDLRS Heartland during the 2025-2026 School Year: Nature and Needs of the Gifted Student (Summer 2025), Guidance and Counseling for the Gifted (Fall 2025), Special Populations of Gifted Students (Winter 2026), and Curriculum and Instruction for the Gifted (Spring 2026). You can enter the course cycle at any time, but you must complete all five courses in order to receive the Gifted Endorsement. Please see below for course descriptions and registration information.

DeSoto, Glades, and Hendry counties: Use the Registration button below.
Highlands county: You must register in your Highlands PLM Portal and search for the title of the course (some registrations may not be available yet).

Gifted Registration

Nature and Needs of the Gifted

Course Dates: July 9 through September 24, 2025 (11 weeks)
Inservice Points: 60 Hours
Instructor: Donna Trucchio
Description: Nature and Needs of Students Who Are Gifted provides an overview of the evolution of gifted education on the national, state, and local level. Major events affecting gifted education are described as well as major policies and procedures governing the delivery of gifted education. Cognitive, social, and emotional characteristics common to individuals who are gifted are identified along with strategies that can be used to meet the academic needs of different categories of students who are gifted.
Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be July 9, 2025 at 4:00PM. Participants will receive Zoom instructions the day prior.
Deadline to Register: July 7, 2025

Guidance and Counseling for the Gifted

Course Dates: October 1 through December 16, 2025 (11 weeks)
Inservice Points: 60 Hours
Instructor: Gina Sandusky-Nelson
Description: Guidance and Counseling for the Gifted provides an overview of the theory, research, practical strategies, and resources on guidance and counseling, with an emphasis on classroom applications in the gifted classroom. Participants will understand holistic developmental characteristics of gifted children, will be able to identify risk factors related to gifted students, and will be to support social skills, career exploration, and leadership development of gifted students.
Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be on day 1 of the course at 4:00PM. Participants will receive Zoom instructions the day prior.
Deadline to Register: September 29, 2025

Special Populations of Gifted Students

Course Dates: January through March, 2026 (11 weeks)
Inservice Points: 60 Hours
Instructor: Donna Trucchio
Description: Education of Special Populations of Gifted Students provides an overview of the challenges and issues that face diverse populations of gifted students as they struggle to gain acceptance, recognition, and access to appropriate gifted education to meet their individual needs. It examines policies and procedures to screen, identify, and provide appropriate modifications to curriculum for these gifted students. The module provides an overview of the types of diverse perspectives and their impact on the development of gifted abilities.
Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be on day 1 of the course at 4:00PM. Participants will receive Zoom instructions the day prior.
Deadline to Register: TBA

Curriculum and Instruction for the Gifted

Course Dates: April through June, 2026 (11 weeks)
Inservice Points: 60 Hours
Instructor: Gina Sandusky-Nelson
Description: Curriculum and Instruction for the Gifted provides an analysis of curriculum modifications for gifted learners based on the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Standards for Graduate Programs in Gifted Education. Participants will be able to demonstrate adaptations in the content, process, product, affect, and learning environment of the classroom and curricula as they relate to gifted learners. Ultimately, course participants will design units of instruction that are powerful, aligned, engaging, authentic, and challenging.
Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be on day 1 of the course at 4:00PM. Participants will receive Zoom instructions the day prior.
Deadline to Register: TBA

ASD Endorsement Courses

ASD Endorsement Offerings: 2025-2026 School Year

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement Program is designed to increase the level of knowledge, expertise, and understanding of educators working with K-12 students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The endorsement is intended to raise the awareness of the unique characteristics, emotional/social needs, and other challenges and issues related to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and its range of pervasive developmental disorders that adversely affect functioning and result in the need for specially designed instruction and related services. It is designed to foster an understanding of policies and guidelines to ensure implementation of appropriate curriculum, differentiation, strategies, educational intervention, and support for this diverse population.

FDLRS Heartland's free ASD Endorsement Courses offered locally will be taught by Cathy Gonzalez, an ESE Specialist and Autism Coach. You will have mandatory virtual "face-to-face" meetings combined with online assignments, quizzes, and/or discussions on the Moodle platform. You must complete all coursework and submit your evaluation by the course end dates listed with each course in order to receive inservice credit.

There are three modules (80 hours each) in the Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement which cover assessment, diagnosis, behavior analysis, positive behavior supports, assistive technology, communication systems, and field experience (embedded in each course). Participants must complete all three modules. Please see below for course descriptions and registration information.

Participants should verify with their school district that ASD Endorsement courses are in the District's Professional Learning Catalog, that the courses have been approved by the district, and are eligible for points. Please be advised that an endorsement is a rider on a valid Florida teaching certificate with another subject coverage. It cannot stand alone on the certificate. It is important to note that this add-on endorsement can only be added to your professional certification in conjunction with certification in any exceptional student education area.

ASD Registration

Nature and Needs, Assessment, and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders with Field Experience

Course Dates: August 18 through November 7, 2025 (11 weeks)
Inservice Points: 80 Hours
Instructor: Cathy Gonzalez
Description: Participants will be able to identify characteristics associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), demonstrate an understanding of current trends and research-based methodologies used to create appropriate instructional programs for these students, and become familiar with formal and informal assessments used for diagnosis and instructional planning.
Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be on August 18th at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior. Additional meetings: September 2, September 22, October 13
Deadline to Register: August 15, 2025

Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavior Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders with Field Experience

Course Dates: November 10, 2025 through February 20, 2026 (11 weeks)
Inservice Points: 80 Hours
Instructor: Cathy Gonzalez
Description: This course provides participants with an understanding of how applied behavior analysis principles pertain to individuals with ASD, including implementation associated with teaching various skills and supporting behavior in educational settings. The functional assessment of problem behavior as well as proactive and preventative methods for addressing problem behavior will be addressed. In addition, evidence-based instructional strategies to develop communication, social, self-help, and academic skills will be emphasized and linked to behavioral needs.
Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be on November 10th at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior. Additional meetings: December 1, January 12, February 2
Deadline to Register: November 7, 2025

Augmentative/Alternative Communication Systems and Assistive/Instructional Technology for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders with Field Experience

Course Dates: February 23 through May 22, 2026 (11 weeks)
Inservice Points: 80 Hours
Instructor: Cathy Gonzalez
Description: Participants will be able to describe and analyze communication needs, design strategies to facilitate intervention, and demonstrate an understanding of various communication interventions for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders; including AAC/AT. Participants will understand the importance of transition planning for students with ASD.
Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be on February 23rd at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior. Additional meetings: March 30, April 27
Deadline to Register: February 20, 2026

Additional Professional Learning

2025-2026 School Year

We also offer various webinars, book studies, and other online, blended, or face-to-face professional learning. Please see the listings below, or see our calendar for information.

Depending on the type of training, participants may receive links to either the Accutrain portal for our Webinars, Google Classroom access, or Moodle access. Please read the descriptions of each of the courses/trainings to see the requirements and expectations of the class.

DeSoto, Glades, and Hendry counties: Use the Registration buttons below
Highlands county: You must register in your Highlands PLM Portal and search for the title of the course

Weekly Webinars

Inservice Points: 3 inservice points per webinar completed, with some eligible as SWD points towards recertification.
Description: These short webinars are on a variety of topics for educators, ranging from behavior issues, classroom management, instructional strategies, trauma response, and school culture. Participants will use the AccuEd Connect online portal to view the webinar, and are required to submit a brief follow-up questionnaire and evaluation survey in order to receive their inservice points. Instructions on how to access the portal, as well as directions for the follow-up portions will be emailed to participants in the week before their webinar begins.
Registration: Use the Registration link for each quarter below. Highlands employees MUST register in their PLM Portal.
Deadline to Register: Participants will need to register by the Thursday prior to the week of the Webinar, please see dates on the flyer for more details.

Quarter 1 (August to September 2025)

1. Disruptive Behavior Disorders

Webinar Dates: August 17 through August 23, 2025
Inservice Points: 3 SWD points
Description: During this webinar, participants explore Disruptive Behavior Disorders including Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Conduct Disorder and learn effective practices for working with students challenged by these disorders in the classroom. This module addresses Florida's professional learning requirements from SB 1108 - Students with Disabilities (SWD).

2. Mindfulness in Education

Webinar Dates: August 24 through August 30, 2025
Inservice Points: 3 points
Description: This webinar will demonstrate to educators that students who have been instructed in “mindfulness” experience increases in test scores and executive functioning while showing decreases in stress, anxiety, depression, and bullying.

3. Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

Webinar Dates: August 31 through September 6, 2025
Inservice Points: 3 SWD points
Description: This webinar focuses primarily on evidence-based intervention strategies, tips and accommodations you can use to help students prone to self-injury, especially those dealing with anxiety and depression. Educators will also understand the SMB Cycle, the SMB Addiction Model, and how Intervention Mapping can help. This professional learning series addresses Florida's professional learning requirements from SB 1108 - Students with Disabilities (SWD).

4. Lost Boys

Webinar Dates: September 7 through September 13, 2025
Inservice Points: 3 points
Description: Positive reinforcement for good behavior is focused on students who are proficient at sitting still for long periods of time, a skill that many boys have not mastered. In this webinar, participants will gain insight and understanding of the role of gender in education and how to develop effective strategies to engage boys in the learning process.

5. Closing the Exits Off the Road to Responsibility

Webinar Dates: September 14 through September 20, 2025
Inservice Points: 3 SWD points
Description: This webinar will explore how traditional discipline practices actually allow students to take any available path to avoid responsibility. Learn six essential practices that will close those exits off the path and help students learn self-management. This professional learning series addresses Florida's professional learning requirements from SB 1108 - Students with Disabilities (SWD).

Quarter 2 (October to December 2025)

DeSoto, Glades, and Hendry: Register

Highlands: Search for the course in your PLM Portal

Quarter 2 Webinar Flyer

1. ACEs Informed Schools

Webinar Dates: October 5 through October 11, 2025
Inservice Points: 3 points
Description: More than 2 out of 3 students have had to deal with at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) – such as the death of a parent, living with addiction or suffering abuse. Research shows that students who have endured two or more ACEs are far more likely to experience academic and behavioral issues. In this webinar, educators will explore how to identify and understand students who are struggling with traumatic events that have occurred in their young lives.

2. Executive Function Skills & Academic Success

Webinar Dates: October 19 through October 25, 2025
Inservice Points: 3 SWD points
Description: Executive function skills help children remember and follow multi-step instructions, avoid distractions, control rash responses, adjust when rules change, persist at problem solving, and manage long-term assignments. Learn how the brain works at EF skills and why some students have a more difficult time with mastery than others.

3. Teaching vs Presenting

Webinar Dates: November 2 through November 8, 2025
Inservice Points: 3 points
Description: Through the use of teachable moments, storytelling, personal connections, and fostering a warm learning environment, educators are guided on transitioning students from awareness to action, emphasizing the power of feedback and real-world evaluation methods to strengthen classroom dynamics and impact.

4. Anxiety in the Classroom

Webinar Dates: November 16 through November 22, 2025
Inservice Points: 3 SWD points
Description: Anxiety conditions - separation anxiety, social anxiety, phobias, and generalized anxiety - are the most prevalent mental issues, and they often go unnoticed. But the impact on the students is significant. During this program, teachers, counselors and other professionals are shown the tools to support and teach this high-potential portion of the student population while avoiding an unmanageable classroom environment.

5. Mean Girls - Behind the Screen

Webinar Dates: November 30 to December 6, 2025
Inservice Points: 3 points
Description: Social media platforms have become critical for young girls in their effort to stay connected to peers and parents. But as girls spend more time trying to stay "connected" online, they actually become more disconnected. As girls experience the turbulent times of childhood and adolescence, they often turn to social media to hide their fears, confusion, and anxiety from the outside world.

Quarter 3 (January to March 2026)

Quarter 4 (April to June 2026)

Heartland ESE Academy

Specially Designed Professional Learning for ESE Teachers & Support Facilitators

Join us for a quarterly event that provides relevant topics, professional learning, and collaborative opportunities with fellow ESE teachers and Support Facilitators across four districts.

ACADEMY HIGHLIGHTS

Open to ESE Teachers and Support Facilitators in the FDLRS Heartland Region
Content Expert Presenters
Instructional Strategies and Support
Best Practices for Teaching/Co-teaching
Coaching and Mentoring

ACADEMY DETAILS

Location: FDLRS Office - School Board of Highlands County
Dates: September 25 (Kickoff Event), November 11, January 14, and April 1
Times: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
Academy Flyer

REGISTRATION

DeSoto, Glades, & Hendry: https://bit.ly/Heartland-Academy-2025
Highlands: Register in your PLM Portal "2526 DO: FDLRS Heartland ESE Academy"

Virtual Learning Opportunities

Register for a variety of virtual learning options throughout the 2025-2026 school year.
See the Calendar or the Upcoming PL Events for dates/times

LESSONPIX FOR PROVIDING VISUAL SUPPORTS

Open to ESE Teachers and Support Facilitators in the FDLRS Heartland Region that utilize the LessonPix program for ESE students
Training consists of a virtual Zoom meeting, with a follow-up activity to be completed within one week
Inservice Points: 3 SWD points upon completion of virtual session, follow-up, and evaluation

DEVELOPING AN IEP

Open to all educators involved in the Individual Educational Plan (IEP) process
Training consists of 2 virtual Zoom meetings, with assigned activities after each meeting
Inservice Points: 6 points upon completion of both virtual sessions and all assignments
Must have access to a Google account with Google Classroom capabilities

ACCOMMODATIONS/LOW-TECH AT TOOLS

Open to all educators that instruct students with IEPs or 504 Plans that contain accommodations
Training consists of a virtual Zoom meeting, with a follow-up activity to be completed within one week
Inservice Points: 3 SWD points upon completion of virtual session, follow-up, and evaluation

Learning Ally Webinars

What is Learning Ally and How Can It Support Students?

Do you have questions about using Learning Ally or need some pointers about the system? We are hosting brief sessions on the following popular topics, with time for Q & A at the end of each session. Sessions are from 3:00 to 3:45 PM, with time for Q&A until 4:00 PM.

SESSION LIST:

Introduction to Learning Ally: TBA
Hands-On in the Learning Ally Portal: TBA

Paraprofessional Learning

2025-2026 School Year

We are offering self-paced webinars for paraprofessionals to improve professional learning. Please see the listings below, or see our calendar for information.

Virtual Learning Opportunities

SELF-PACED WEBINARS

Open to Paraprofessionals in the FDLRS Heartland Region
Training consists of watching a recorded webinar, with a follow-up activity and survey to be completed within one week
Click on the webinar title to register, your confirmation email will have all the information about how to complete the training

Upcoming Webinars:

November to December: Accommodations for Paraprofessionals
January to February: Visual Supports for Paraprofessionals