The calendar of seminars and their descriptions for the 2007-2008
school year have been developed based on the expressed needs of educators participating
in the Regional Professional Development Academy. We were delighted to receive hundreds
of responses from the Needs Assessment Surveys representing forty-one member districts,
identifying their professional development needs for the 2007-2008 school year.
We also had the opportunity to review local professional development plans. When
the feedback was reviewed with the Steering Committee, specific themes emerged.
Our focus for the 2007-2008 continues to be the inclusion of students with moderate
to severe disabilities in the general education classroom. There are several new
topics reflecting survey needs and familiar topics that remain continued areas for
training. We have added a “Parent Series” strand as we know that
the relationship between families and schools is crucial when serving children with
moderate to severe disabilities.
We want to emphasize that all of the seminars are open to all school personnel.
This includes general a nd special education teachers, paraprofessionals, related
services providers, child study teams and administrators. Parents
are welcome to attend all of the workshops and we want member school districts to
make a special effort to inform parents of the seminars so that they may register
and participate.
As of September 2007, the Regional Professional Development Academy will have
their seminars for the 2 007-2008 school year in the presentation room at Monmouth
Mall in Eatontown. (Directions are provided in the booklet). Coffee,
tea and bagels will be provided during registration. If you desire your own refreshments
during registration or at the break, you are welcome to use the Food Court or any
of the other food facilities at Monmouth Mall at your own expense.
We look forward to welcoming you to the workshops and thank you for your continued
input and participation. Good wishes for a successful school year.
William V. Kaskow
Project Administrator
Marilyn Cohen
Training Specialist