Spring TRC Workshops
APRIL
Developing Student Motivation
Wednesday and Thursday, April 29 and 30
3:45 to 6:45
6 hours
Presenter: Jon Gatto
Students can become overwhelmed by what may seem like overbearing impossible odds and situations. This
course will cover some of the skills and lessons used to build a student;s motivation, helping them to face and
overcome everyday situations, as well as, obstacles in their lives.
MAY
The What and Why of Differentiation Webinar s (set of 3)
Monday, May 4
Monday, May 11
Monday, May 18
4:00 to 5:00 each date
3 hours (for all three)
No fee
Online
Differentiating Core Instruction Within an RtI Framework is a 3-part webinar series that focuses on
differentiated instruction within an RtI framework. It begins with a discussion of differentiated instruction
as a teaching and learning process designed to address the diverse abilities of students in the same
classroom. Succeeding sessions will discuss how classroom teachers can differentiate core instruction
to accommodate the instructional needs of all students.
Intended Audience: Differentiating Core Instruction Within an RtI Framework is intended for
teachers, support staff, principals, and anyone interested in learning more about differentiated instruction
as it relates to core instruction in an RtI model.
The What and Why of Differentiation
Monday, May 4th, 2015
4:00 - 5:15 p.m.
Click here to register
The How of Differentiation – Part 1
Monday, May 11th, 2015
4:00-5:15 p.m.
Click here to register
The How of Differentiation – Part 2
Monday, May 18th, 2015
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Click here to register
A certificate will be provided for participating in the live presentation of these webinars on the dates
listed above. To be sent a certificate, you must email Molly Marren at: marrenma@buffalostate.edu
And request a certificate.
Students with Self-Injurious Behaviors
Monday, May 4
3:45 to 6:45
3 hours
NFHS Room TBA
Presenters: Nancy Buscaglia & Jody Kasprzyk
Target audience: Teachers, Administrators, Counselors, Social Workers
Description: This 3 hour workshop deals with the serious issue of students who engage in self-injurious behaviors.
Participants will learn the facts associated with this type of behavior, the many forms of self-harming, and the
reasons a student may engage in self-injurious behaviors. We will also examine how to best respond to a student
who discloses this issue and how to help this type of student.
Mindfulness for Teachers and Students
Tuesdays, May 5, 12, and Thursday May 14
3:30 to 5:30
6 contract, stipend, or SED hours
Gaskill Prep Room 308
Presenters: JoAnna Nangle and Dr. Donna Phillips
Description: Overwhelmed? Pressed for time? Longing to find a balance?
This topic is getting a lot of press in educational journals and websites and has been tied to improved classroom
behavior and student achievement. These techniques may be especially valuable around testing time.
In the first half of each class, we will explore mindfulness practices for teachers that can be implemented
immediately to cultivate mindful awareness. Taking time to increase awareness of the present moment has a
direct relationship towards greater inner peace, compassion, and acceptance of yourself and others - which are
key ingredients of being a happy, balanced teacher and person!
During the second half, we will delve into bringing mindfulness techniques into the classroom at any level - to help
students find peace and clarity in the present moment, and therefore be more meaningfully ready to do the higher
level thinking required in all classes! Ready-to-use practices and lessons will be shared, ranging from quick minute
tricks to full lessons teaching students about how their brain works and how mindfulness can help them maximize
their quality of life in and out of the classroom! Teachers who have been using these strategies will report on their
experience with these techniques.
Teen Dating Violence
Wednesday, May 6
3:45 to 6:45
3 hours
NFHS Room TBA
Presenters: Nancy Buscaglia & Jody Kasprzyk
In this 3-hour course, you will examine the issue of Teen Dating Violence in our school settings.
One in three high school students will be involved in an abusive relationship. By taking this course, participants
will meet the following objectives :
1. Become educated about dating abuse and how to recognize the difference between caring, supportive
relationships and controlling, manipulative relationships.
2. Signs of an abusive relationship and steps to take if a student is in an abusive relationship.
3. We will also take a look at the student’s rights and responsibilities in a dating relationship and build on key
preventive skills that school staff can use to help students to address these issues.
STEM/STEAM Career Day
Saturday, May 9
10:00 to 4:00 (hours of your choosing within this time frame)
NY Power Authority, 5777 Lewiston Road, Lewiston, NY 14092 (across from Niagara University)
3 hours
Presenters: Exhibitors at the Career Fair
Participants will visit exhibitors at the Career Day and answer questions about each exhibit and implications for
students in STEM/STEAM courses leading to STEM/STEAM careers. This activity is intended for teachers and
counselors. Participants must visit a minimum of 9 exhibits and write up their findings from each. Report sheets
will be sent to Ronni McGrath at Maple Avenue School no later than May 15. Participants will also be asked to sign
in at the Power Authority and get a certificate of attendance from Power Authority staff as part of verification.
Visiting the exhibits is designed to provide teachers and counselors with more information about job opportunities
for students who are participating in Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Math (or STEAM) courses.
Learn what fields fit with STEM/STEAM curriculum and talk to those in the field to be better prepared to give
students guidance for their futures.
Dealing with Academic Dishonesty
Wednesday and Thursday, May 13 and 14
3:45 to 6:45
6 hours
NFHS Room TBA
Presenter: Jon Gatto
If you are a teacher for anytime at all, you will be faced with a student, or students, that are academically
dishonest. This course will discuss the true root and cause of cheating, teach you tactics for uncovering it, and give
you strategies for dealing with, or more importantly, fixing the problem.
The Effects of Mass Media on Student Knowledge and Attitudes
Monday, May 18 and Wednesday, May 27
3:30 to 6:30
6 hours
NFHS Room TBA
Presenter: David Fusani, PhD.
Many teachers and parents blame “the media” for a variety of student behaviors from attention deficit disorder to
low reading levels. Some feel a return to achievement means turning off the TV and the I-PODs. Although the
prospect may sound satisfying, it is impractical and may be only marginally effective. This workshop presents the
latest research detailing the effects of media use on a host of student behaviors and attitudes. The goal is to put
these findings in prospective and discuss how to turn students’ heavy media use to their educational advantage.
Helping Children Cope with Anger
Tuesday, May 19
3:45 to 6:45
3 hours
NFHS Room TBA
Presenters: Nancy Buscaglia & Jody Kasprzyk
Target audience: Teachers, Administrators, Counselors, Social Workers
Description: Children need to express many different feelings, anger being one of them. In this course, you will
learn to help children express their anger in an appropriate manner. You will also learn many interventions to
manage a child's anger in the classroom.
Family Engagement
Tuesday, May 19
3:30 to 5:30
2 hours (contract/stipend/SED)
NFHS Room TBA
Presenter: EPIC staff
This workshop will discuss culturally responsive family engagement and its place in student achievement.
Participants will learn about the need for engaging parents, assess current classroom practices, and learn more
ways to engage families, especially in Common Core content.
Understanding Gossip
Wednesday, May 20
3:45 to 6:45
3 hours
NFHS Room TBA
Presenter: Jon Gatto
Sociologists, linguists, psychologists and historians are among the people who research gossip and how it functions
in society. The dynamics of gossip can have an unbelievable impact on the classroom, school community and life in
general. To keep this phenomenon from hurting every part of your and your students’ lives, take this class. You will
learn how “gossip” works, and learn strategies to keep it from building in strength.
Best Practices in Family Engagement
Wednesday, May 20
3:30 to 5:30
2 hours (contract/stipend/SED)
NFHS Room TBA
Presenter: EPIC staff
Teachers will learn about the best practices of involving students' family members to increase student
achievement. Parents, teachers, and school leaders will come together to strengthen relationships and to develop
a successful home-school relationship. Teachers will learn about barriers to parent involvement and discuss
strategies to overcome them. Teachers will develop a plan to enhance home-school relationships with their
students' families.
Understanding Basic Human Needs
Thursday, May 21
3:45 to 6:45
3 hours
NFHS Room TBA
Presenter: Jon Gatto
Why? Have there been individuals that you couldn’t stand from the moment you met them? They just seem to rub
you the wrong way. But you don’t know why. I can tell you why. More importantly, by the time you leave this class,
you’ll be able to tell yourself why. This class will cover the 9 Basic Human Needs that Maslow never talked about.