The Center
Development
better strategies
which support
children through
the challenges
of learning.
Professional Education Provider by the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC).
(Provider Identification Number: #500363)
Professional Development Workshops
Differentiated Instruction
Differentiated Instruction (DI) provides a solid framework for teachers to address students' specific learning needs. This workshop will provide the basics for understanding the Who, What, When, Why and How of DI. It will incorporate five practical research-based strategies, with step-by-step procedures that will help guide the teacher's lesson planning process and turn DI into DDI - Doable Differentiated Instruction.
Struggling Learners: What Makes 'em Tick; What Helps 'em Learn
This workshop has been provided to over 10,000 participants around the state to help teachers better understand learning difficulties and attention deficit disorder and how these difficulties affect academic performance. Effective interventions and accommodations for these struggling learners will be explored.
Understanding Algebraic Concepts & Skills: Overcoming the Struggle
This workshop is designed to equip secondary math teachers with the skills and intervention strategies needed to better support those students struggling with Pre-algebra, Algebra I, and Algebra II concepts. Learn from Dr. Trena Wilkerson how to teach these difficult concepts, using research-based learning tools, manipulatives, and presentation styles. There will also be a brief time to "make-it; take-it" to help you leave with some hands-on "power tools"!
Understanding Elementary/Intermediate Concepts & Skills: Overcoming the Struggle
This workshop is designed to equip math teachers (grades 2 - 6) with the skills and intervention strategies needed to better support those students struggling with the most often missed TAKS concepts, especially geometry. Learn from Trena Wilkerson how to teach difficult concepts, using research-based learning tools and manipulatives while also having fun. There will be a brief time to "make-it; take-it" to help you leave with some hands-on "power tools"!
At-Risk Learners: Blowing Away Their Smokescreens
The objective of this workshop is to de-mystify learning difficulties and to reveal the mindset behind at-risk students' behaviors. Teachers will learn management strategies, motivational techniques, and communication skills to help students change the way they think about themselves and about their abilities in school.
Make-It Take-It: Manipulatives to Support the Struggling Learner
Our most popular workshop, Make-It Take-It, provides a day focused on manipulatives and interventions. This day will begin with a short overview of how research-based strategies help at-risk students maximize their ability to master concepts. The rest of the day will be spent with paper, scissors, card stock, computers and glue sticks, creating your own manipulatives to have ready to use at your school! Bring textbooks, workbooks, etc. to help you create just what you need! Come with your wagon to carry home your creations!
Parent Education Workshops
De-Mystifying Our Children: Understanding Learning Differences
This workshop may be tailored to the specific needs of a particular parent audience or provide a general overview of learning disorders and attentional problems. The overall emphasis is to help parents better understand why their child struggles, what it feels like to live with that struggle, and how they can help. The overview includes the specific nature of language-based, non-verbal, and/or attention-related disorders. Simulation exercises provide parents with an ‘Ah-Ha' experience.
