Professional Development

PDA Offerings: 2022-2023 School Year

The BEESS Portal to Professional Development Alternatives (PDA) 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. There are courses available through the statewide portal (https://fl-pda.org), as well as courses offered locally through FDLRS Heartland.

The following courses will be taught by either FDLRS Heartland personnel or by teachers from one of the Heartland districts (DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, or Highlands). There is a General FAQ document available that has additional details about what a Facilitated PDA Course entails.

Participants will access the materials through the online learning portal for PDA 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, and Hendry counties: Use the Registration links 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 Endorsement Offerings: 2022-2023 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 Gina Sandusky-Nelson or Allison Unger-Fink. 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 2022-2023 School Year, two which complete the cohort that began last year, and two that will start a new cohort: Theory and Development of Creativity (Summer 2022), Guidance and Counseling for the Gifted (Fall 2022), Nature and Needs of Students Who Are Gifted (Winter 2023), and Special Populations of Gifted Students (Spring 2023). 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 under each course.
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).

 

Theory and Development of Creativity

• Course Dates: July 12 through September 23, 2022 (11 weeks)
• Inservice Points: 60 Hours
• Instructor: Allison Unger-Fink
• Description: Theory and Development of Creativity provides an overview of the theory, research, practical strategies, and resources on creativity, with an emphasis on classroom applications in the gifted classroom. It is intended that, upon completion of this course participants attain the following goals, to increase knowledge of the nature and definition of creativity, to reflect on and learn ways to enhance personal creativity and to provide ideas and strategies for teaching others (students) to develop and use their creativity.
• Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be July 12, 2022 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: July 8, 2022

 

Guidance and Counseling for the Gifted

• Course Dates: October 3 through December 12, 2022 (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 October 3, 2022 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: September 30, 2022

 

Nature and Needs of Students Who Are Gifted

• Course Dates: January 9 through March 27, 2023 (11 weeks)
• Inservice Points: 60 Hours
• Instructor: Gina Sandusky-Nelson
• 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 January 9, 2023 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: January 7, 2023

 

Special Populations of Gifted Students

• Course Dates: April 11 through June 23, 2023 (11 weeks)
• Inservice Points: 60 Hours
• Instructor: Allison Unger-Fink
• 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 incorporates central issues in multicultural education that examine questions of equity and excellence; prejudice and stereotyping of special populations; and lack of awareness, understanding, and recognition manifested in discriminatory practices on the national, state, and local levels. It examines policies and procedures to screen, identify, and provide appropriate modifications to curriculum for these diverse gifted students. The module provides an overview of the types of diverse perspectives and their impact on the development of gifted abilities, such as ethnic heritage and culture, minority status, language, diverse physical and mental abilities, gender and age, socioeconomic status and poverty, and diverse family structures.
• Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be April 11, 2023 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: April 7, 2023

Register

ASD Endorsement Offerings: 2022-2023 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.

DeSoto, Glades, and Hendry counties: Use the Registration button under each course.
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).

 

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

• Course Dates: September 20 through December 13, 2022 (12 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 September 20, 2022 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: September 16, 2022

 

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

• Course Dates: January 9 through March 27, 2023 (12 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 January 9, 2023 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: January 7, 2023
• Course Flyer

 

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

• Course Dates: April through June, 2023 (12 weeks) - exact dates TBA
• 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 April, 2023 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: TBA

2022-2023 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 YouFactors portal for our Webinars, the EduCalc portal for our Secondary Math or Dyscalculia/Dysgraphia trainings, 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 button under each course.
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).

 

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 YouFactors 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: Either see the flyer below for registration links, or go to our Learning Events page for separate listings. 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 3 Webinars

• Quarter 3 Weekly Webinar Flyer

Registration

1. January 29 to February 4: Engaging Students One-on-One
   When interacting with students one-on-one, you have the power to impact their success in the classroom and in in life. Learn how to better engage with students in a one-on-one setting so that you can lead a student towards achieving independence. Guiding students to be motivated, successful learners requires building healthy teacher-student relationships.
2. February 5 to February 11: Measuring Social Emotional Learning (SWD)
   Research continues to show that mastery of social-emotional skills is critical for academic and workplace success. But once a program has been implemented, how can progress be measured? Participants will gain an understanding of how to use self-reporting, observations from others, behavioral documentation and academic data points. Learn how becoming intentional about measuring these skills can help your school’s practice make the most impact on students.
3. February 12 to February 18: Wired Differently - 5 Keys for Working with Students
   Current studies show that approximately 20 percent of all students are diagnosable for a mental, emotional, or behavioral health issue. This webinar will help teachers, counselors, administrators, and other professionals understand how to support and teach this high-potential portion of the student population - while avoiding an unmanageable classroom environment.
4. February 19 to February 25: Impactful Guidance with "Good Measure"
   School counselors, social workers, psychologists and people in related professions know you make a difference. But now, more than ever, it's important to show your impact - in a results-driven, data driven educational environment. But how do you quantify lessons on character? How do you measure whether or not a student "got it" from a counseling lesson?
5. February 26 to March 4: Addressing Learning Loss due to COVID-19
   The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an increase in learning loss, a problem schools already face every summer. This webinar will help educators address learning loss and emphasizes the importance of strong teacher-student relationships and positive learning environments to achieving successful learning outcomes.
6. March 5 to March 11: Executive Function Skills & Academic Success (SWD)
   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. Viewers will gain methods and practices to improve the Executive Function skills of all students providing a more manageable, achievement-oriented classroom.