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.

Hours: 4.5
Requires Books

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.

Hours: 4.5
Requires Books

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.

Hours: 4.5
Requires Books

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.

Hours: 15
Requires Book

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

Teacher: Gina Gullo

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.

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.

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.

Fall 2021 Professional Issues Session

Course Description: Educators throughout the Commonwealth are challenged to serve students returning to in-person instruction following various levels of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Educators are encouraged to accelerate learning to help combat learning loss; however, issues such as social and emotional needs and staffing shortages create barriers to success. Several programs and funding initiatives are available to assist schools and educators as they support students; however, educators face time and resource limitations when working with students. This session seeks to empower educators to better determine which supports are likely to yield the most benefits to students. PaTTAN’s Gina Spicknall-Cook and Donna Halpin guide educators in this session to fully capitalize on the multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) available in most PA schools so that they can provide efficient and effective supports that meet the unique needs of their student populations.

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.

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.

Fall 2021 Professional Issues Session
Former title: Educator Evaluation in 2021 and Beyond

Course Description: This course reviews updates to the Educator Effectiveness System that began at the start of the 2021-22 school year through Act 13 of 2020 and the Chapter 19 regulations. All PSEA members are welcome to attend this webinar; however, only EA members who have not previously taken this course are eligible for Act 48 credit. 

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.

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.

Course Description: Anxiety disorders are associated with substantial impairment and comorbidity, and often present vexing problems to even the most experienced clinicians. This pre-recorded webinar addresses the rationale and implementation of the empirically supported cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) treatments for anxiety in adults, adolescents, and children. Evidence for the conceptual model and the treatments are presented, with strong emphasis placed throughout on the “how-to” of CBT implementation. Detailed examples are provided of the verbal interplay that often arises in the implementation of CBT with patients who have anxiety disorders. 

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.

Course Description: Dr. Green and Dr. Freeman of UPMC provide an update on the state of the pandemic, update on the status of COVID-19 vaccines for kids--including a discussion of vaccination rates and booster recommendations, update on MIS-C, and recommendations for caring for kids after COVID

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.

Course Description: Are you a school psychologist who would like to learn more about effective assessment practices to identify students’ mathematical strengths and needs? Would you like to explore evidence-based interventions you can provide, or support teachers in providing, to help students master essential mathematics skills? This pre-recorded webinar session highlights the link between assessment and intervention and also demonstrates how to access several free, evidence-based mathematics interventions.

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.

Course Description: This course presents current data associated with the use of medical marijuana. Dr. Roussel identifies several important points school professionals need to know about the topics of medical vs. recreational use, conditions treated, side effects, risks, impact on learning, current laws and access for certified patients.

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.

Course Description: Learn about the work of Mission Kids, a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization providing multidisciplinary care to alleged victims of sexual and physical abuse. Mission Kids joins a nationwide network of child-focused care facilities designed in accordance with standards established by the National Children’s Alliance and the U.S. Department of Justice. Their ultimate goal is to provide a broad range of support services to child victims and their caregivers in an environment that encourages healing and facilitates better prosecution of alleged offenders. Mission Kids staff also review important dynamics of child abuse for educators to recognize.

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.

Course Description: This session was recorded during the 2020 DPS Conference. Mike Fiore, School Social Worker and Steph Warshaw, Licensed Social Worker and Home and School Visitor, of the Council Rock School District join School Nurse, Charlene Koretz, of the Colonial School District to present on this timely and important content. The session prepares DPS and other educators to identify and differentiate common symptoms of anxiety during COVID-19 versus those indicative of Anxiety Disorders while additionally presenting strategies and resources to support children with anxiety in schools--especially during COVID-19.

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.

Course Description: Information regarding the implementation of programs for students who experience brain trauma and concussion is by presenter, Roni Robinson, MSN, RN, CRNP  (coordinator of the Trauma/Concussion program at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP)).  Strategies for school staff as well as Concussion Management Teams are shared in order to support students and families to achieve the best possible outcomes for recovery.

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.

Course Description: Nicotine products have changed, but many of the industry tactics to encourage new tobacco users to start have not. Participants learn about the different tobacco and nicotine products, health impacts, and how the vaping epidemic transpired. Participants also learn about programs, resources, and strategies to prevent vaping and help young people and adults to quit. Presented by Sean McCormick, PhD, MS, Certified Tobacco Treatment Specialist-Master. Sean McCormick is a public health practitioner and researcher with expertise in tobacco dependence treatment, behavioral sciences, and chronic disease management. Dr. McCormick has designed, implemented, and evaluated public health programs in government, hospitals, research clinics, community sites, and advocacy settings. Dr. McCormick held positions at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Temple University, Drexel University, East Stroudsburg University, Pennsylvania’s Clean Air Council, and the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. He is currently the Assistant Director for Health Promotion Council’s Tobacco Control and Prevention Services where he oversees the Southeastern Pennsylvania Tobacco Control Project and statewide improvements in tobacco control.

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.