In August 2022 we kicked off “Saturday Mornings with the NRCP,” a low-cost monthly webinar training opportunity. Since that time, we have held 4 of 12 webinars with great success. How do we measure the success of our webinars? Participants are asked to complete an evaluation form at the end of each webinar. Once submitted to the NRCP, a Certificate of Completion for that webinar is then sent to the participant. NRCP staff examine every comment to determine our success, note suggestions for improvement and make needed adjustments. As with prior trainings and Regional Conferences, we are seeing an overarching theme of gratitude. Gratitude for training specific to paraeducators (even applicable to other school positions), gratitude for feelings of empowerment and value at the end of each webinar. Our hope is that every participant signs off their computer with a renewed sense of the value and worth of themselves and the vital role they play in schools working with students with special needs.
Our first webinar was held August 13, 2022. Glenn Dyke presented “Working Effectively with Students with Challenging and Severe Behaviors.” 163 registered to either attend live or watch the recording. Registrants joined from 19 states including: Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia, giving us a reach spanning the United States.
When asked what participants enjoyed most about the August 13 webinar they shared:
“The concepts reviewed by Glenn were a good reminder/refresher to me of things that I have previously learned and have been slack in doing. Also, there were some new/different principles introduced to me that I appreciated.”
“This is my second year as a Para. Due to Covid and the closing of schools, we are now working with so many behaviors from the children so all of the information is so helpful in getting these kids back on track helping them to be successful.”
“Lots of great information. Saturday morning is perfect, and 2 hours is a perfect length to be able to easily remember all that is shared/taught.”
“Practical application with easy step by step directions for successful implementation; resource books; and handouts to follow up with staff afterwards”
“As a teacher it is a helpful reminder of good teaching practices.”
“I loved the examples Glen gave about reinforcing behaviors and solutions to some of the problems we may regularly encounter when responding to behaviors”
“It was tightly focused on the exact content that we needed to be more successful in the classroom. The trainer was clearly experienced in the subject he was presenting on. Fantastic!”
“The positive strategies and attitude to apply daily. I found the insight and input from other participants helpful as well.”
“I loved how the topic is helpful in any setting from the bus to the cafeteria to the classroom.”
“Examples that were given, opportunity to interact through chat platform, available for questions after webinar.”
“I appreciate the review of things I already know as well as new ideas. Lightbulb! Oh yes, I should try that with this child. Also, it motivated me to try and solve those problems so that my students and I all have a better school year.”
Our second webinar was held September 10, 2022. Marilyn Likins and Deb Andrews presented “Building Powerhouse Teams Through Effective Communication.” 135 registered to either attend live or watch the recording. Registrants joined from18 states including: Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.
When asked what participants enjoyed most about the September 10 webinar they shared:
“Many great new ways of thinking about things. Great strategies”
“It helped to remind our ESS team of the importance of working together for our students.”
“I think a thorough review of communications and the barriers to successful teams was needed.”
“The reminder that we are a team with educators and our roles of being a paraeducator is just as important. I also appreciated the negative comment portion as well as the positive comment portion. It allowed for some self-reflection in order to learn and grow.”
“I enjoyed all the tips and ideas on how to work with teachers.”
“What stuck with me most was “We are all here for the good of the student”
“The emphasis on positive relationships and collaboration”
“It’s always good to refresh on job-related topics, team building and more.”
“All the information presented was clear, and immediately usable”
“Presenters were personable and knowledgeable. Gained helpful information to implement in my team. Loved using Menti and the “word cloud.”
“It reminds us that even with the best intentions, sometimes we become set in our ways and need to communicate and listen to others’ ideas and concerns.”
“The topics presented were applicable to daily life as well as work.”
“It couldn’t have happened at a better time. We’re currently dealing with some of the issues that were brought up, so it was extremely helpful.”
“Explanation of our roles and how we can treat all equally. Especially remembering students first and being their advocate.”
“I was a para for 5 years before becoming a teacher. I wish I could have had the opportunity to take a webinar like this.”
“It is nice to hear that we are all facing the same struggles and have a forum to collaborate our concerns with each other.”
Our third webinar was held October 8. Katie Harris presented “Behavioral and Instructional Strategies to Promote Success in Learners with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.” 141 registered to either attend live or watch the recording. Registrants joined from 19 states including: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.
When asked what participants enjoyed most about the October 8 webinar they shared:
“Wow! So knowledgeable and experienced! I loved hearing all the personal experiences! And sooooo many strategies! Thank you for the reminders of things I knew, but had forgotten, as well as new concepts to work on!”
“I enjoyed the discussion of topics relevant to our classroom experience.”
“I really enjoyed the cheap useful items, like timers, information. I always forget and sometimes make things harder than they need to be.”
“I enjoyed reviewing the positive behavior reinforcements. Particularly, for every negative comment you need to provide 3 more positive comments.”
“Great reminders re: the POWER of positive reinforcement!”
“All the tips to work with autistic kiddos and all kinds of kids!”
“Everything! The interaction in chat! Allows our voices to be heard.”
“Learning about the capabilities of each child with autism and helping cope through things while learning at school”
“So many great suggestions and ideas that can be implemented in my position”
“I always enjoy learning about the different ways we can implement what we learn, especially from fellow participants.”
“The “real life” examples……so when my paras or teachers give these examples, I can give feedback”
“Positive Reinforcement. And Power of Praise Around. I use this every day. And Every day the students get a clean slate. In a high school mainstream class this is extremely important. Thank you for responding to the Classroom teacher intervening question.”
“It was a great refresher on many items. Presenter has a very concise no-nonsense way of explaining.”
“All the info I got plus just reminders on what I should be doing. Positive reinforcement, ideas on things I can purchase etc.”
“Was 100% spot on in the happenings of my classroom.”
“The presenter had amazing ideas that I am able to implement in my class immediately.”
“The personal connections with the group as a whole, ensuring if we had questions and collaborating with us throughout the webinar was helpful and supportive.”
Our fourth webinar was held November 12, 2022. Christine Manning presented “Paraeducator Roles and Responsibilities IDEA, IEP’s, and BIP’s! Oh my!” 137 registered to either attend live or watch the recording. Registrants joined from 17 states including: Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, and West Virginia.
“When asked what participants enjoyed most about the November 12 webinar they shared:
“I liked the fact that for me it was a refresher on all things Sped. I really like that it provided lots of information on the basics of all we do!!”
“I enjoyed the speaker as well as the topic. It was very interesting learning about the laws. I never knew there were so many laws regarding special education.”
“The explanation for paraeducators to understand the process for an IEP.”
“I felt that there was good information that was relatable to for the paraeducators.”
“I liked the educational real examples related to the IDEA prg.”
“There was a lot of information that I was not aware of.”
“The information that I can take back to my classroom that we can use to help our students be successful.”
“The different stories of students and their disabilities and IEP goals/learning from different student’s needs, skill, disabilities, via accommodations and modifications.”
“The examples of students and how their situations were dealt with and what was discovered and where it helped the student.”
“I’m an OT assistant and pretty new to education. So, I really learned a lot more about IDEA and some federal laws in the school setting.”
“Learned so much valuable information regarding IEPs, BIPs, 504s, etc.”
“I enjoyed the information about modifying methods and content for each student to meet their goals.
“Materials that were provided that I can add to my “helpful tools” google drive for work. A great refresher on helpful information relating to my job. Information to help me improve my role as a paraeducator.”
“Great information regarding what I do every day!”
“There was a lot of information that I didn’t know.”
“Knowledge of our responsibility and how to care for our students with special needs.”
We are honored by the positive reception of these webinars and grateful for the support and friendship we have with the presenters. We hope to continue building and offering relevant affordable trainings. Registration is open and ongoing for ALL 12 webinars! One year of professional development! Join us today!