CPD Course
Resilience & Burnout
Category
Mindfulness/Wellbeing
Location
LIVE Online
Duration
12 - 22 July 2021
Class Times
10am - 12pm
10 July 2021
Special Education & Inclusion
This course specifically addresses the topic of inclusion in primary classrooms, looking at planning and implementation for inclusive classrooms in the context of children with additional learning needs, English as second language and a range of behavioural and sensory processing challenges. Within the course, teachers will be introduced to aspects of the innovative Montessori approach with special focus on how to work within a prepared environment which explicitly addresses inclusion, by valuing the unique contribution of each child within a setting which promotes choice and independent learning.
Teachers will be introduced to a toolkit to support them in their daily practice. This will include a range of techniques for planning, teaching and assessment, drawing inspiration from Montessori pedagogy. Teachers will become increasingly confident in identifying and engaging in the key stages of SSE such that they will be enabled to engage in enhanced collective and personal reflection and practice to enhance teaching and learning in their school contexts.
This course will run for 5 LIVE Online sessions:
5 July, 7 July, 9 July, 13 July, 15 July
10am – 12pm
Fees for CPD Courses at SMSI: €49
CPD Course Modules
MODULE 1: Inclusion & Differentiation
Students will:
- Understand the terms inclusion and differentiation in the context of additional needs in the primary classroom
- Demonstrate knowledge of autism spectrum disorder
- Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate educational interventions to support learning for children with autism.
- Reflect upon current strengths and challenges pertaining to inclusion in the Irish primary school context and prioritise key areas of focus where teachers could strive to enhance their practices.
MODULE 2: Syndromes & Learning Difficulties
Students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of a range of syndromes and learning difficulties which present in the Irish primary classroom.
- Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate educational interventions to support learning for children with specific learning difficulties.
- Plan effective and creative learning activities, in a prepared environment, with specific special educational needs in mind.
- Consider different forms of evidence for SSE process pertaining to the practice of inclusion in Irish primary schools.
- Explore digital technologies and assistive technology for supporting pupils with dyslexia and DCD in addition to NCSE documentation pertaining to this.
MODULE 3: IEP Process
Students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the IEP
process. - Develop an IEP based on case study material.
- Plan effective and creative learning activities, in a prepared environment, with specific special educational needs in mind.
- Explore the notion of a school improvement plan and need for collaboration with a range of stakeholders both in the SSP process and the SSE process.
MODULE 4: Complexities & Challenges
Students will:
- Understand the complexities and challenges of working with children with communication difficulties in the mainstream primary classroom.
- Demonstrate knowledge of tools and technologies to assist teaching and learning and overcome communication difficulties.
- Identify essential elements of a school improvement plan and compare to those associated with school support.
MODULE 5: PECS
Students will:
- Demonstrate knowledge of PECS Reflect on the importance of working as a member of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating and communicating effectively with all stakeholders.
- Understand and comment on the role of the SSE in supporting special education in the primary school.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the importance of the teacher / parent relationship when working with children with additional learning needs.
- Reflect upon their ongoing learning and development in the area of inclusion, special education and SSE and Identify further professional learning goals.
All classes will be LIVE Online for each of the 5 sessions.
Students will be expected to attend each LIVE Online class session, as well as complete the external activity in their own time.
Students will be assessed via:
- Online Tutorial
- Active Discovery
- Discussion Forum
- Problem Solving
- Learning Diary
- Reflective Learning Assignment
Having completed her training as a Montessori teacher, Tash commenced work in a Montessori primary school, working with children from 3-12 years. She became interested in Special Education, and took a position in a CABAS school, for children on the autism spectrum. She later returned to Montessori teaching, the skills developed at CABAS supporting her in creating an inclusive classroom environment.
During her 25 years teaching, Tash also provided tuition for children with special educational needs, from 6-18 years. Additionally, she co-tutored on the Leadership for Inclusion (LINC) programme for 2 years.
Presently, Tash lectures for SNMCI, MIE and NCI.
Tash has a Doctorate in Education; Masters in Special Education; Bachelors in Special Education, specific to teaching children on the autism spectrum; and two Montessori diplomas (birth-9 and 9-12).
She is passionate about inclusion and children’s rights, and is currently on the UNICEF advisory group for the Rights Respecting Schools (RRSA) Programme.
Tash has published articles on educational policy and inclusion, and is currently involved in research into the impact of Covid-19 on early education.
Please register by 28 June 2021 by completing the registration form and payment within the below link.
Building Resilience & Preventing Burnout
This course will provide teachers with a range of approaches and tools to identify stressors and build resilience. At a teacher level these tools will support the teacher in their daily practice, allowing them to more effectively plan and teach for inclusion.
Some of the tools identified can also be used with children as an element of innovative teaching, supporting children to manage their own stress and to build resilience.
Teachers will become increasingly confident in identifying and engaging in the key stages of SSE such that they will be enabled to engage in enhanced collective and personal reflection and practice to enhance teaching and learning in their school contexts.
Teachers will be introduced to and encouraged to develop a personal toolkit to support themselves and others in their daily practice. This will include a range of techniques for defining boundaries, identifying and reducing stress and the use of a range of positive psychology techniques. Teachers will also become increasingly confident in identifying and engaging in the key stages of SSE such that they will be enabled to engage in enhanced collective and personal reflection and practice to enhance teaching and learning in their school contexts.
This course will run for 5 LIVE Online sessions:
12 July, 14 July, 16 July, 20 July, 22 July
10am – 12pm
Fees for CPD Courses at SMSI: €49
CPD Course Modules
MODULE 1: Stress v. Burnout
Students will:
- Understand the terms stress and burnout and differentiate between them.
- Demonstrate an awareness of causality and symptoms of these conditions.
- Explore and share personal experience of stress in the workplace
- Understand the significance of coronavirus and “lockdown” to primary school teacher stress.
MODULE 2: Resistance to Self-Care
Students will:
- Examine resistance and barriers to care of self Identify Core Beliefs
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of coping types.
- Define and develop healthy boundaries
MODULE 3: Resilience
Students will:
- Understand the concept and nature of resilience
- Demonstrate knowledge of appropriate cognitive , emotional and behavioural responses to stress with which to build resilience.
- Create a comprehensive portfolio of strategies with which to resource teachers to support themselves.
- Demonstrate understanding of when self help may not be enough.
MODULE 4: Mindfulness
Students will:
- Demonstrate understanding of the origin, definition and practice of mindfulness
- Identify and explore the established evidence based formats of teaching secular mindfulness
- Understand when mindfulness may be contraindicated.
MODULE 5: Positive Psychology
Students will:
- Define the concept of positive psychology
- Explore the benefit of positive psychology with particular reference to the latest findings regarding the plasticity of the human brain.
- Demonstrate appreciation of the importance of mind activity
- Reflect on the importance of self view
- Define and understand the term neuroplasticity
- Explore the importance of neuroplasticity in the developing brain of primary school children.
All classes will be LIVE Online for each of the 5 sessions.
Students will be expected to attend each LIVE Online class session, as well as complete the external activity in their own time.
Students will be assessed via:
- Online tutorial
- Active Discovery
- Discussion Forum
- Pairs and small group work
- Stories and poetry
- Group sharing of personal experience
- Self reflection exercises
- Learning Diary
- Questionnaire
- Sharing existing practices in small groups
- Guided Mindfulness Practices and Imagery
- Interactive small group exercises
With 18 years experience in counselling at Primary and Secondary Care, both in education and in private practice, Geraldine Breakwell is an experienced counsellor and wellbeing expert. Having completed Teacher Training in Mindfulness Based Approaches in 2009 and Mindfulness Supervisor Training in 2013, Geraldine now offers an incredible CPD Course in Building Resilience & Preventing Burnout.
Please register by 28 June 2021 by completing the registration form and payment within the below link.