Pupil Services Professionals
Courses for PUPIL SERVICES PROFESSIONALS are those that best relate to the work of individuals serving in the Department of Pupil Services or as other non-teaching professionals. Topics often include student health and wellness, student mental and emotional health, school safety, and social and emotional skill development.
Courses tagged with "Pupil Services Professionals"
The Classroom Community Collection - Book Series Study
- 4 Hours
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Course Description: In Shannon Olsen’s 5-book collection of read-aloud picture books, students of all ages can learn how to build community and collaboration while feeling safe, included, and loved. In this book collection discussion, participants will read (or watch a read-aloud of) all five books in the Classroom Community Collection:
Then, join your fellow educators on PEARL to discuss how these books can be used to build a sense of welcome and community among the students you teach. While these books are written for elementary grades, middle and high school educators can also use many of these to engage students in building relationships.
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Course Completion Criteria: To complete this course, participants must:
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Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 4 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
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The Food Group series by Jory John & Pete Oswald
Course Description: Jory John and Pete Oswald bring “charming and enduring text” and “bold, expressive illustrations” together in their series of books focused on foods and their behaviors. The Food Group series includes well-known, bestselling books including:
The Good Egg;
The Bad Seed;
The Cool Bean;
The Couch Potato;
The Smart Cookie; and
seasonal versions of these stories.
In this book discussion, participants explore applications for how these books can be used at all levels to promote social and emotional skill fluency and help prevent bullying during the learning process. Picture book are not just for the elementary kids anymore, so middle and high school educators should consider joining as well.
Participants must access and read at least three Food Group series books to participate in this course.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 4.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 4.5 Hours
How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Course Description: In this asynchronous, online book study, participants will prepare for, read, and discuss Ibram X. Kendi’s How To Be An Antiracist for a total of 15 Act 48 hours or a certificate to submit for 15 Chapter 14 hours (per district approval). The New York Times called this book “a groundbreaking approach to understanding and uprooting racism and inequality in our society—and in ourselves.”
During the Prereading activities, participants will learn about the book and author. Then, they will explore strategies for critical reading from their lens as an educator. Then they will engage in two activities i: one focused on identifying perspectives and another on applying this practice to students.
During the actual reading, participants should read the book critically and complete chapter-by-chapter reflection prompts throughout their reading journey (not just at the end) to help them remember key points in the text.
During the Postreading activities, participants will engage in forum-based dialogues about their reactions, learning, and applications for the material in the school setting. Participants will leave this session with knowledge and resources to apply what they read with students at any level.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 15 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
The hours breakdown is
10 hours for reading,
1.5 hours for pre-reading activities
2 hours for reflection prompts
1.5 hours for post-reading activitis
Total: 15 hours
- 15 Hours
Little Legends/Dreamers/Leaders by Vashti Harrison
Course Description: Black and Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) are often under-represented in the standard K-12 curriculum, challenging educators to bring these important histories to students in other ways. Author and illustrator, Vashti Harrison, introduces readers to dozens of influential BIPOC figures in her series of Little Leader Books including:
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History;
Little Dreamers: Visionary Women Around the World; and
Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History.
Participants in this book series study must access and read either one entire book (40 histories) or any combination of 40 histories from all three books to participate in this course.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 4.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 4.5 Hours
The Questioneers Book Study
Course Description: The Questioneers by Andrea Beaty (author) and
David Roberts (illustrator) is a series of picture books and early-reader
chapter books written between 420 and 820 Lexiles. Each picture book introduces
a new ‘questioneer’ as they come to realize their own strengths including Ada
Twist (Scientist), Rosie Revere (Engineer), Iggy Peck (Architect), Sofia Valdez
(Future Prez), and Aaron Slater (Illustrator). The chapter books take their
stories deeper and allow students to follow the students as their growth
mindsets take them further into their passions. These books may be elementary
focused, but the lessons learned are valuable for learners at any level! In
this book discussion, you may read any 1 picture book and any 1 chapter book in
the series for a total of 2 books. These two books will require 2 ½ hours
of reading time with 2 hours of complementary PEARL-based content (1.5 hours for the discussion questions and 0.5 hours for reflection items) for a total of 4 ½ total hours of learning.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 4.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
The hours breakdown is 2.5 hours for reading,
1.5 hours for discussion activities
0.5 hours for reflection prompts.
- 4.5 Hours
What You Do Matters series by Kobi Yamada
Course Description: Children’s literature, including picture books, offer powerful tools to bring learning to students at all levels. In this book series discussion, readers will Kobi Yamada’s three award-winning, New York Times best-selling books as featured in the What You Do Matter boxset:
What Do You Do With An Idea?;
What Do You Do With A Chance?; and
What Do You Do With A Problem?
Each of these books offers a unique take on elements that students face daily and are growing to better understand presented through the combination of Mae Besom’s gorgeous illustration and Kobi Yamada’s unique take on symbolic narrative. The course will focus on parallels between these books and social and emotional skills development to facilitate a greater collective knowledge about how to engage students in critical self-reflection and self-management.
Participants must access and read all three Kobi Yamada books to participate in this course.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 4.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 4.5 Hours
When You Wonder, You're Learning
Course Description: When You Wonder, You’re Learning: Mister Rogers’ Enduring Lessons for Raising Creative, Curious, Caring Kids by Gregg Behr and Ryan Rydzewski shares the never-before-seen side of America’s favorite neighbor and Pennsylvania native, Mr. Rogers, in his essential work with the “tools for learning” in school, work, and life. “These tools can boost academic performance, social-emotional well-being, and even physical health. They cost almost nothing to develop, and they’re up to ten times more predictive of children’s success than test scores.” Perfect for educators at any point of their career, this book shares a fresh and human-centric approaches to learning for anyone who cares about children.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 10 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 10 Hours
Divided Attention Documentary: Remaining Student-Focused in Trying Times
Course Description: In this course you will watch the 2022 documentary Divided Attention which focuses on the Chester Upland School District during the pandemic. Not only are these educators navigating the challenges of hybrid learning, but they are also trying to address the mental health concerns of their students. Specifically, the film highlights four students and their mindfulness teacher as they participate in activities to face the challenges of returning to the classroom and living in strenuous homes and neighborhoods. On top of this, district schools are under receivership and facing charterization. What can educators do to keep students in school and address their social emotional well-being? While Divided Attention was filmed during the pandemic, the topics addressed (e.g., SEL, school funding, and the school to prison pipeline) are still relevant today.
Following the documentary, participants will complete a written reflection activity and share ideas with PSEA colleagues in a discussion forum.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 2 Hours
Resisting Backlash: Recognizing & Disrupting Harmful Discourse
Course Description: Join 2021 ASPP School Psychologist of the Year, Dr. Amber Sessoms, Ed.D. for a session on concrete strategies to combat racially insensitive practices or behaviors, while avoiding potential backlash within the school environment.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 1.5 Hours
Social-Emotional Equitable Learning
Course Description: This presentation, taken from a live PSEA Center for Professional Learning Webinar broadcast session on September, 21, 2021 is rooted in relational equity and culturally responsive social emotional learning. Participants will learn about the importance of building authentic relationships with students, families, and staff members and how these essential relationships impact student success, resiliency, and hope. They will learn how relationships are the core to beginning the work of SEL, and once secure relationships are established, SEL tools can be incorporated.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 2 Hours
Continuous Improvement: Using the Observation Frameworks to Up Your Ed Skills!
Course Description: Explore the PDE Frameworks for Observation and Practice as updated in Summer 2021 as tools for continuous improvement in this informative and interactive workshop. Educators will begin by learning about the Continuous Self-Improvement process and related tools followed by and introduction to the Frameworks. Then, educators will dive into a role-specific exploration of the frameworks with a focus on self-evaluation and then self-reflection. These processes will be focused on elements to inform pre-conferences for and to allow educators to engage in a self improvement process using the continuous improvement tools discussed in the first half of the class. Together, each element empowers educators to elevate their skills and better serve students.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and a certificate.
- 2 Hours
Educator Evaluation: Understanding the Policy
- 1.5 Hours
Presenter: Michael Bogdan (mbogdan@psea.org)
NOTE: This course was previous named "Educator Evaluation: Navigating the Policy" and was changed to "Educator Evaluation: Understanding the Policy" on 04/15/2025. This ASYNCHRONOUS course differs slightly from the LIVE version of the course (Educator Evaluation: Navigating the Policy) but includes much of the same content.
Course Description: Take a deep dive into the policy behind Pennsylvania’s Educator Effectiveness System to understand better how evaluations are conducted. This session will cover the rating components for tenured and non-tenured educators, classroom teachers and non-teaching professionals, as well as those with and without state assessment data. Additionally, an overview of classroom observations and the calculation of performance ratings will be included. Resources will be shared to help participants find answers to common questions and access more detailed information on the topics addressed.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1.5 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the learner will be able to:
- Explain the provisions of Pennsylvania’s Educator Effectiveness System.
- Summarize how they will be evaluated.
Course Completion Criteria: To complete this course, participants watch both parts of the webinar in their entirety, answer comprehension questions embedded in each recording, and complete a reflection activity. Please note that in order to meet our obligation to PDE as an Act 48 provider, PSEA must gather information to confirm course completion. To help PSEA meet this obligation, participants must complete a brief Confirmation of Completion at the conclusion of this course.
Mandatory Reporting Obligations of School Employees under the Child Protective Services Law and the Educator Discipline Act
Course Description: This course reviews the mandatory reporting obligations that school employees have under the Child Protective Services Law and the Educator Discipline Act. Learners will also learn about the procedure for filing reports and will consider various hypothetical scenarios in determining whether a report would be required.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1 HOUR of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours.
- 1 Hour
Touching on the Tools of Act 13 - SPM Templates and Revised Frameworks
Course Description: In this online course, participants will gain a surface level understanding of the tools for use with Act 13’s revised Educator Effectiveness Evaluation System. The first part of the course explores the Student Performance Measures templates, which PDE issued as optional tools to assist LEAs for the documentation of LEA-Selected Measures and IEP Goals Progress data. The second part of the course reviews the revised Danielson Frameworks as issued by PDE in Summer 2021. The third and final part of the course engages participants in a self-led reflection on how each new tool can help them inform their professional practice in the coming school year.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course will be eligible to recieve 1.5 HOURS of Act 48 credit and/or a certificate for Chapter 14 hours. Chapter 14 acceptance is at the full discretion of your employer.
- 1.5 Hours
Breathing Outside the Box
Course Description: Every day, educators put their students’ physical, emotional, and mental well-being first. We also consistently encourage our students to think “outside the box” and adapt new perspectives focused on growth and resilience. Educators, too, can benefit from stepping "outside the box" when it comes to our own well-being, and we can build new ways to help our students understand the relationship between wellness and learning. This session introduces PSEA members to simple mindful practices. Participants will gain knowledge, tools, and techniques for creating an at-home mindfulness practice and also be provided resources to share with students of all ages.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1 HOUR of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 1 Hour
Connection Before Curriculum
Course Description: Explore research-based programs that you can use yourself or with your students to set the tone of the classroom. The idea will roughly follow Maslow's idea that we need to all feel safe to be in the proper mindset to teach and learn.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hour
- 2 Hours
Finding Calm in Chaos
Course Description: Each of us feels personal and professional stress that impacts our home and work lives. The good news is that there are things we can do to help us find calm in chaos, cultivate compassion, and engage in compassionate self-care to protect our brains and bodies from the negative health effects of stress and uncertainty. In this class, participants are introduced to mindfulness practices and the basic science behind their impact on our bodies. These healthy life skills and knowledge can help each of us thrive personally and help our students find calm, too. This class is part of PSEA's ongoing commitment to provide supports to members for personal and professional success.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 2 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 2 Hours
Journaling to Promote Wellness
Course Description: This course explores the human wish to record and journal and the evidence based benefits of journaling to promote wellness.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1 HOUR of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 1 Hour
The Joy of Laughter Wellness
Course Description: This course explores the health and wellness benefits of laughter. The presentation provides scientifically based evidence of the benefits of laughter to promote happiness and and the brains response to stimulation.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 1 HOUR of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 1 Hour
Practicing Self-Compassion
Course Description: Does your "inner critic" leave you feeling down sometimes? Practicing self-compassion is an important wellness excercise that helps us stand up to our inner critica and also develop emotional resilience, a more accurate self-concept, and more caring relationships. It also can foster less narcissism and lower levels of reactive anger. All of this can help us become more effective and more grounded in our personal and professional lives. Learning to practice self compassion in our own lives also can give us insight in how to encourage it in our students.
The three primary objectives for this course are as follows:
You will learn the definition of self-compassion and how it manifests in your own life.
You will understand the research that has been conducted on self-compassion.
You will have an opportunity to explore your own ability to cultivate self-compassion.
Course Hours: Members who complete this course receive 3 HOURS of Act 48 and/or a certificate that may apply for Chapter 14 hours. Your employer has sole discretion to determine if this course qualifies for Chapter 14 hours.
- 3 Hours
