Building Day at Allen Middle School is a professional development opportunity designed to enhance teaching practices, foster collaboration among educators, and support the continuous improvement of our school community. This day is dedicated to empowering teachers with the tools, strategies, and resources necessary to create a positive and effective learning environment for all students.

Throughout the day, teachers will engage in a variety of workshops, group discussions, and hands-on activities focused on building specific topics related to instruction, classroom management, collaboration and teamwork as well as technology integration.

The Building Day is a key part of Allen Middle School’s commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth. By the end of the day, teachers will leave with practical strategies, fresh ideas, and a stronger sense of community, all of which will positively impact their teaching and contribute to student success. 

• Audience: Allen Middle School Professional and Support Staff

• Presenters: Tamira Howard, Principal and Patricia Harrington, Allen Middle School

• Date: August 5, 2025

• Delivery: Face-to-Face

• Location: Rossmoyne ES Learning Commons

• Credit: 7.5 hours 

• Activity #: 102

Click Here to Register via Frontline

This academy is an opportunity for library assistants to become familiar with Follett Destiny-the Library Management System we are switching to for the 2025-2026 school year.  We will learn the basics and go over changes in the system from AccessIt.  Please bring your charged computer and a charger! 

• Audience: Instructional Assistants - Library

• Presenter: Rachel Meckes, Library Department Head

• Date: August 5, 2025

• Delivery: Face-to-Face

• Location: Cedar Cliff HS Room 21 (Special Interest room in Library)

• Time: 8:00 - 11:45 AM

• Credit: 3.75 hours 

• Activity #: 70B

Click Here to Register via Frontline

Our K-12 Librarian aides are invited to stay and collaborate with their librarians on transferring our collections into the new management system in follow up of professional learning this morning's session to ensure that our collections are accessible and ready for all learners for the start of the school year.

• Audience: K-12 Librarians and Instructional Assistants - Library

• Presenters: Missy Halcott, Library Mini-curricular Chair and Rachel Meckes, Library Department Head

• Date: August 5, 2025

• Time: 12:15 - 4:00 PM

• Delivery: Face-to-Face

• Location: Cedar Cliff Library

• Credit: 3.75 hours 

• Activity #: 70A

Click Here to Register via Frontline

The Resilient Choice is a professional learning opportunity designed to equip participants with practical knowledge, tools, and strategies to build resilience in themselves and those around them. These strategies are not just theoretical; they are actionable and can be integrated into your daily practice, empowering you to make a difference and positive change in you. This experience will draw on the latest research in trauma-informed practices, social-emotional learning, and positive psychology; this session will explore practical strategies for creating supportive environments that foster well-being, resilience, and growth.

Participants will:

• Improve their capacity to learn what resilience is and how it helps in the learning and development of all individuals

• Learn about methods of building individual and professional resilience

• Learn about how to design classroom settings to encourage student agency, connection, and coping ability

• Apply resilience-building methodologies to real-life situations

Resilience is the capacity that enables everyone to withstand setbacks. Developing effective strategies that integrate well into an individual's daily practice is crucial. You need to create an IEP4R (Individualized Educational Plan for Resilience), a personalized plan that outlines specific strategies and interventions to build resilience. Here in this academy, we will be talking about the various things that impacted us to guide our way as teachers, how negative things happen to all of us, how we need to focus on what we have control over, constructing/finding our resilience, positive psychology practices, and what we do to support it, and how also to help those around us to embrace their own story of resilience and improving their practices. Here, I will draw upon the influences of individuals who have supported me, including renowned researchers and practitioners such as Brene Brown, Lucy Hone, Norman Garmezy, Ann Masten, Martin Seligman, Barbara Fredrickson, Elena Aguilar, and many more.

Whether you are experienced in your field or not, this session is open to all. I believe in the power of community and the support it provides. You are a valued part of our community, and I look forward to learning and growing together. Join our supportive community and be inspired by the growth opportunities it offers! 

• Audience: Grades K-12 Math Professional and Support Staff

• Presenter: Jeannette A. Fodness,  Ed. D., Math Teacher, Crossroads Middle School

• Date: August 6, 2025

• Delivery: Face-to-Face

• Location: Cedar Cliff Library

• Credit: 7.5 hours 

• Activity #: 112

Click Here to Register via Frontline

The Capital Area Intermediate Unit is excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2025 Paraeducator Conference, taking place virtually on August 7th from 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM. This engaging professional development event is tailored specifically for paraeducators and will feature a variety of sessions aimed at enhancing skills and deepening knowledge. Participants will receive five hours of professional development credit for attending.

We are honored to welcome this year’s Keynote Speaker, Kate Swenson, creator of Finding Cooper’s Voice. Kate will share her family’s inspiring journey with autism—a powerful and heartfelt story you won’t want to miss.

In addition to the keynote, attendees can choose from a wide selection of sessions designed to support and enrich their professional practice.

*Before registering, please review the Session Catalog, which includes detailed descriptions and times for each session. 

Registration Details:

Thanks to IDEA-B funding, IU 15 is covering the registration costs for all paraeducators working in public schools or charter schools within the IU 15 region. During registration, participants should select the option indicating that their IU/school district is paying. Invoices will be sent directly to the IU. (Registration is not on Frontline) 

Click here to register - You must register using this link to be included on the IUs roster and attendance taken.

Returning Participants: If attendees joined us last year, the InEvent platform may recognize their email and request a password. If the password has been forgotten, use this link to recover it prior to registering.

If you have questions about the conference or need support during registration, please reach out to us at eventsupport@iu17.org.

• Audience: Grades K-12 Paraeducators

• Presenter: Jeannette A. Fodness,  Ed. D., Math Teacher, Crossroads Middle School

• Date: August 7, 2025

• Delivery: Virtual

• Time: 8:30 AM - 3:00 PM

• Credit: 5 hours 

• Activity #: 141

Click Here to Register via Frontline - this is only to track your activities for summer with WSSD. This will NOT register you for the event. You must register with the IU using the link above.

Are you a seasoned co-teacher or a new co-teaching pair for the 2025-2026 school year?  This academy is for you.  Spend time with your co-teachers reviewing best strategies for co-teaching in the classroom and planning for instruction.  

• Audience: Grades 7-8 Professional and Support Staff at Crossroads Middle School

• Presenter: Tracy Dominick, Principal, Crossroads Middle School

• Date:  August 11, 2025

• Delivery: Face-to-Face

• Location: Crossroads MS Library

• Time: 8:00 - 11:45 AM

• Credit:  3.75 hours 

• Activity #: 115

Click Here to Register via Frontline

This academy is for individuals who participated in an initial certification program within the past year. This session will be a combination of online theory and face-to-face physical skills review leading to recertification. This training program has significant physical activity connected with the curriculum and participants must be in good physical health. Participants will be required to sign an agreement indicating understanding the risks related to this academy. The half-day online theory portion must be completed prior to the start of the school year. 

**New this year** We are now offering a choice between AM and PM in-person recertification options.  Staff seeking recertification need to only register for 1 session. 

*It is important to note that any staff member who does not recertify during the summer of 2025 will need to repeat the initial certification course in the summer of 2026.

• Audience: Professional Staff and Support Staff who seek recertification

• Presenters: District Safe Crisis Management Training Team

• Date:  August 11, 2025 

• Time: 8:00 - 11:30 AM (time to report for in-person skills training)

• Location: Online portion through JKM; Face-to-Face at Washington Heights Gym

• Delivery: Blended

• Credit:  7.5 hours (total credit given for online theory training and in-person skills training)

• Activity #: 118

Click Here to Register via Frontline

This academy is for individuals who participated in an initial certification program within the past year. This session will be a combination of online theory and face-to-face physical skills review leading to recertification. This training program has significant physical activity connected with the curriculum and participants must be in good physical health. Participants will be required to sign an agreement indicating understanding the risks related to this academy. The half-day online theory portion must be completed prior to the start of the school year. 

**New this year** We are now offering a choice between AM and PM in-person recertification options.  Staff seeking recertification need to only register for 1 session. 

*It is important to note that any staff member who does not recertify during the summer of 2025 will need to repeat the initial certification course in the summer of 2026.

• Audience: Professional Staff and Support Staff who seek recertification

• Presenters: District Safe Crisis Management Training Team

• Date:  August 11, 2025 

• Time: 12:30 - 4:00 PM (time to report for in-person skills training)

• Location: Online portion through JKM; Face-to-Face at Washington Heights Gym

• Delivery: Blended

• Credit:  7.5 hours (total credit given for online theory training and in-person skills training)

• Activity #: 119

Click Here to Register via Frontline

Safe Crisis Management supports increased student achievement by providing staff with the tools necessary to manage disruptive behavior in a manner that ensures the safety of all students. This academy will present instruction on both theory and the physical skills necessary to work safely with aggressive students. Attendance for all 2.5 days of face-to-face instruction is required to be fully certified. This training program has significant physical activity connected with the curriculum and participants must be in good physical health. Participants will be required to sign an agreement indicating understanding the risks related to this academy. 

*** If an employee would like to receive only the theory portion of this training and not be fully certified to perform the Emergency Safety Physical Interventions, they may sign up for the training’s first day only option in Frontline. ***

• Audience: Professional Staff and Support Staff who seek certification (Maximum of 20 participants per session)

• Presenters: District Safe Crisis Management Training Team

• Dates:  August 11, 12, and 13, 2025

• Delivery: Face-to-Face

• Location: Washington Heights Gym

• Credit:  18.75 hours 

• Activity #: 120

Click Here to Register via Frontline - for all 3 days

Click Here to Register via Frontline - for first day option only (120a)

This training will give instruction of how to correctly utilize the new PAES grading system.  Staff will be given training on the system and have the opportunity to practice the grading system in real time.  Staff will also learn about the new components of the PAES update including new tasks, new procedural routines, and how to appropriately accommodate for students' needs.

• Audience: Red Land High School Low Incidence Professional Staff and Paraeducators

• Presenters: Jennifer Hoff, Transition Coordinator 

• Date:  August 12, 2025

• Delivery: Face-to-Face

• Location: Red Land HS Room 222

• Credit: 7.5 hours 

• Activity #: 121

Click Here to Register via Frontline

This academy is for individuals who participated in an initial certification program within the past year. This session will be a combination of online theory and face-to-face physical skills review leading to recertification. This training program has significant physical activity connected with the curriculum and participants must be in good physical health. Participants will be required to sign an agreement indicating understanding the risks related to this academy. The half-day online theory portion must be completed prior to the start of the school year. 

**New this year** We are now offering a choice between AM and PM in-person recertification options.  Staff seeking recertification need to only register for 1 session. 

*It is important to note that any staff member who does not recertify during the summer of 2025 will need to repeat the initial certification course in the summer of 2026.

• Audience: Professional Staff and Support Staff who seek recertification

• Presenters: District Safe Crisis Management Training Team

• Date:  August 12, 2025 

• Time: 8:00 - 11:30 AM (time to report for in-person skills training)

• Location: Online portion through JKM; Face-to-Face at Washington Heights Gym

• Delivery: Blended

• Credit:  7.5 hours (total credit given for online theory training and in-person skills training)

• Activity #: 125

Click Here to Register via Frontline

This academy is for individuals who participated in an initial certification program within the past year. This session will be a combination of online theory and face-to-face physical skills review leading to recertification. This training program has significant physical activity connected with the curriculum and participants must be in good physical health. Participants will be required to sign an agreement indicating understanding the risks related to this academy. The half-day online theory portion must be completed prior to the start of the school year. 

**New this year** We are now offering a choice between AM and PM in-person recertification options.  Staff seeking recertification need to only register for 1 session. 

*It is important to note that any staff member who does not recertify during the summer of 2025 will need to repeat the initial certification course in the summer of 2026.

• Audience: Professional Staff and Support Staff who seek recertification

• Presenters: District Safe Crisis Management Training Team

• Date:  August 12, 2025 

• Time: 12:30 - 4:00 PM (time to report for in-person skills training)

• Location: Online portion through JKM; Face-to-Face at Washington Heights Gym

• Delivery: Blended

• Credit:  7.5 hours (total credit given for online theory training and in-person skills training)

• Activity #: 126

Click Here to Register via Frontline

This training will give instruction of how to correctly utilize the new PAES grading system.  Staff will be given training on the system and have the opportunity to practice the grading system in real time.  Staff will also learn about the new components of the PAES update including new tasks, new procedural routines, and how to appropriately accommodate for students' needs.

• Audience: Cedar Cliff High School Low Incidence Professional Staff and Paraeducators

• Presenters: Jennifer Hoff, Transition Coordinator and Nicole Mortelliti, Special Education teacher, Cedar Cliff High School

• Date:  August 13, 2025

• Delivery: Face-to-Face

• Location: Cedar Cliff HS Room 110 and 108

• Credit: 7.5 hours 

• Activity #: 128

Click Here to Register via Frontline

Staff at Fairview Intermediate School will come together to address building culture and improving building systems and processes.

• Audience: All Fairview Intermediate School Professional and Support Staff

• Presenters: Brian Granger, Principal and Kelly Guistwhite, Assistant Principal, Fairview Intermediate School

• Date:  August 13, 2025

• Delivery: Face-to-Face

• Location: Fairview IS

• Credit: 7.5 hours 

• Activity #: 129

Click Here to Register via Frontline