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 link 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).

Quarter 1 Courses: July to September 2022

Registration

Exploring Structured Literacy

• Course Dates: August 25 through November 3, 2022
• Inservice Points: 40 inservice points (also satisfies 20 SWD point requirement). This course also meets the 40 hours for the reading instruction certification requirement for K-6 Teachers established in Rule 6A-4.0051, F.A.C., Renewal and Reinstatement of a Professional Certificate.
• Instructors: Amanda Beeler and Summer Sorrells
• Description: This course will allow K-6 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 meetings during the course: August 25, September 15, October 6, and October 20, 2022
• Course Flyer

Introduction to Assistive Technology

• Course Dates: August 9 through September 27, 2022
• Inservice Points: 20 SWD Points
• Instructor: Lisa Shin
• Description: This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge about assistive technology devices and services and the process of helping students with disabilities select, obtain, and use assistive technology. Content includes information about the impact of identified areas of disability including vision, auditory, physical, communication, intellectual, and cognitive processing and how assistive technology devices and services provide support.
• Meetings: There will be two required virtual meetings during the course: August 9 and August 30, 2022
• Course Flyer

Introduction to Differentiated Instruction

• Course Dates: September 7 through November 2, 2022
• 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 meetings during the course: September 7, September 28, and October 12, 2022
• Course Flyer

Quarter 2 Courses - October to December 2022

Registration

Differentiating Mathematics Instruction

• Course Dates: October 4 through December 16, 2022
• Inservice Points: 30 SWD Points
• Instructor: Lisa Shin
• Description: This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge about how to apply the guidelines of differentiated instruction to mathematics instruction. Emphasis is on evidence-based practices structured by a responsive decision-making framework for all students to achieve at the highest possible level. Content includes how to use pre-assessment, continuous assessment, and summative assessments to design and deliver effective lessons for initial instruction in mathematics and how to effectively use flexible small group instruction to respond to individual learner needs.
• Meetings: There will be three required virtual meetings during the course: October 4, October 25, and November 8, 2022
• Course Flyer

Instructional Practices

• Course Dates: September 29 through December 15, 2022
• Inservice Points: 60 SWD Points
• Instructor: Sonja Bennett
• Description: This course enables educators to develop, increase and demonstrate knowledge about how to select instructional practices which incorporate specific learning strategies and specialized materials to meet individual learner needs. Participants will also learn about analyzing educational activities to assist in the development and implementation of accommodations and modifications that allow students with disabilities to participate in the general curriculum in a meaningful way. Course content includes effective methods of communication, consultation, and collaboration with other educators, related services professionals and with families.
• Meetings: There will be three required virtual meetings during the course: September 29, October 13, and December 8, 2022
• Course Flyer

Matrix of Services

• Course Dates: September 19 through October 19, 2022
• Inservice Points: 5 inservice points
• Instructor: Sonja Bennett
• 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 two required and one recommended virtual meeting during the course: September 19 and October 3 (required); October 17 (recommended)
• Course Flyer

Technology to Support Reading Comprehension

• Course Dates: October 5 through December 15, 2022
• Inservice Points: 20 inservice points
• Instructor: Tera Ming
• Description: This course enables educators to develop, increase, and demonstrate knowledge about a variety of technology tools that can be used by students to scaffold, support, and augment some of the cognitive processing that leads to reading comprehension. This course is not designed to provide guidance in how to teach reading skills.
• Meetings: There will be two required virtual meetings during the course: October 5 and November 9, 2022
• Course Flyer

 

Quarter 3 Courses - January to March 2023

Specific dates and registration information TBA

Differentiating Science Instruction (30 SWD points)

Exploring Structured Literacy (40 inservice points plus reading instruction certification requirement)

Introduction to Differentiated Instruction (20 SWD points)

PBS: Understanding Student Behavior (60 inservice points)

Technology for the Diverse Classroom (20 SWD points)

Quarter 4 Courses - April to June 2023

Specific dates and registration information TBA

Introduction to Assistive Technology (20 SWD points)

Engaging Learners through Informative Assessment (20 inservice points)

 

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

Register

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

Register

Nature and Needs of Students Who Are Gifted

• Course Dates: January 10 through March 28, 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 10, 2023 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: January 6, 2023

Register

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

Register

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

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

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 Webinar Wednesdays, 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

Quarter 1 Courses

• 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.

Weekly Webinar Quarter 1 22-23 Flyer

1. August 21 to August 27: Mindfulness in Education
   Students who have been instructed in “mindfulness” experience increases in test scores and executive functioning while showing decreases in stress, anxiety, depression and bullying
2. August 28 to September 3: Non-Suicidal Self-Injury
   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 (SWD)
3. September 4 to September 10: Lost Boys - Techniques to Engage Boys in Your Classroom
   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.
4. September 11 to September 17: Disruptive Behavior Disorders
   During this webinar, participants explore Disruptive Behavior Disorders and learn effective practices for working with students challenged by these disorders in the classroom (SWD)
5. September 18 to September 24: Strategies to Improve Working Memory in the Classroom
   In this webinar, viewers are given an in-depth knowledge of what working memory is and how it relates to students’ classroom success and teachers’ classroom management success.