Learning Events

Guidance and Counseling for the Gifted

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. This 11-week course is one of the five courses for the completion of the Gifted Endorsement.

• Course Dates: July 10 through September 27, 2023 (11 weeks)
• Inservice Points: 60 Points
• Instructor: Amy Trujillo
• Meetings: There will be three required virtual meetings during the course: July 10, August 21, and September 18, 2023 at 5:00pm
• Deadline to Register: July 6, 2023
• Registration: DeSoto, Glades, Hendry - Register; Highlands must register in PLM
• Course Flyer

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.

• Course Dates: July 18 through September 26, 2023 (10 weeks)
• Inservice Points: 60 inservice points (also satisfies 20 SWD point requirement)
• Instructor: Sonja Bennett
• Meetings: There will be three required virtual meetings during the course: July 18, August 29, and September 12, 2023
• Deadline to Register: July 13, 2023
• Registration: See the PDA Facilitated Courses on our Professional Development page
• Course Flyer

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

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. This 11-week course is one of the three courses for the completion of the Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement.

• Course Dates: August 7 through October 23, 2023 (11 weeks)
• Inservice Points: 80 Points
• Instructor: Cathy Gonzalez
• Meetings: There will be four required virtual meetings during the course: August 7, August 28, September 18, and October 16, 2023 at 5:00pm
• Deadline to Register: August 3, 2023
• Registration: DeSoto, Glades, and Hendry - Register; Highlands must register in PLM
• Course Flyer