Working together and through conflict to support students with disabilities can be challenging for parents and schools. Learn helpful information, tips, and techniques from the experts that can help you navigate through difficult situations.
Join us for this free 1.5-hour webinar series every month from 12 pm to 1:30 pm CST. Registration is made online through following the links below.
Wisdom Wednesdays Monthly Calendar
November 17, 2021
The Discipline Zones
Lenore Knudtson, J.D.
Every parent, administrator, and special educator should have a clear understanding of IDEA discipline provisions, the school's authority, and the rights of students. This session will clearly and concisely explain the complicated IDEA discipline provisions and give you a roadmap to follow. The Discipline Zones handout is a must-have resource on every principal's and parent's desk. Stay compliant and avoid disputes. Finally, IDEA discipline in understandable terms!
November webinar transcript (Word)
Click to watch the November webinar video here:
December 15, 2021
What did 34 Years of Experience Teach Me?
Nancy Goosen, Program Specialist, OSDE- SES
What lessons can be learned after working in the special ed world for 34 years? Ms. Goosen has worked in a district, for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, and as the Special Ed Administrator for Edmond Public Schools. Listen to discover the lessons and perspective she learned that can benefit both parents and educator.
December webinar transcript (Word).
Click to watch the December webinar here:
January 19, 2022
Behavior IS a Disability
Dr. Mary Ann Shepherd, Ph.D., HSP, BCBA-D
Just like any other disability (i.e., vision impairment, physical impairments, or hearing deficits), ADHD, Autism, and Oppositional Defiant Disorder, are also disabilities. Just like every other disability, they require accommodations, support, and intervention in the home, school, and community setting. A behavior disability is not a ‘willful’ disobedience that can be turned on and off, but requires support to identify appropriate replacements, strategies, and accommodations to be successful across all environments. This training will discuss some common disabilities in children and behavior supports necessary to promote success across all settings.
January webinar transcript (Word).
Click to watch the January 19th webinar here:
February 16, 2022
What’s Trust Got to Do with It? Building Equitable and Trusting Partnerships between Families and Professionals
Dr. Tracy Gershwin, Ph.D., BCBA-D
This webinar provides attendees with actionable practices that promote equitable and trusting partnerships between families and professionals, including strategies that can develop, nurture, and repair trust between families and professionals.
February webinar transcript (Word)
Click to watch the February 16th webinar here:
April 20, 2022
Parent School Engagement
Carlos Rossi
This webinar will explore the importance and benefits of parental engagement in the special education process. Creating a model that intentionally includes parents as “partners” is one of the most effective ways to facilitate collaborative and cooperative working relationships and to create a positive learning environment for all students. When we engage parents in the learning process, our schools and communities are more enriched.
April webinar transcript (Word)
Click to watch the April 20 webinar here:
May 18, 2022
Questions
Greg Abel, Sound Options Group
When conversations matter, it can take effort to remain engaged. Sometimes we find ourselves in conversations and we don’t know where to go next. The answer can be – ask questions. The ability to ask questions is crucial to uncovering other people’s ideas. We want to uncover those ideas so we can hear them and respond to them. Learn the importance of questions and types of questions you can ask to get the answers you need.
Click to watch the May 18 webinar here:
June 15, 2022
Special Education “Ponders” from a Former School Attorney
Andrea Kunkel, J.D., M.S.
After 25 years as a private practice attorney representing public schools in special education matters and another 10 leading the professional association for Oklahoma directors of special services, Andrea has a unique perspective on the issues confronting districts, schools and individuals working to meet the needs of students with disabilities. Attend this session to discuss some of the strengths and needs in our current system.
June 2022 Webinar transcript (WORD).
Click to watch the June 15th webinar here.
November 16, 2022
Dyslexia: What it is, what it is not, and what does it mean if your child is considered at-risk?
Dr. Gary Duhon and Dr. Sara Rich
The OSU BRIDGE Center
Participants of this webinar will gain insight into the characteristics of dyslexia with examples of what children with dyslexia may experience. Additionally, participants will better understand the misconceptions associated with dyslexia identification. Finally, the participants will be provided with steps to take when a child is identified as at-risk for dyslexia and resources to address identified reading concerns.
November, 2022 webinar transcript (WORD).
Click here to view the presentation (PDF)
Click to watch the November 16 webinar here.
December 21, 2022
Executive Function
Dr. Kaylin Coody
Oklahoma Schools Advisory Council
Executive Function skills are something most of us don’t think about – it just happens! Executive function refers to skills that help us focus, plan, prioritize, work toward goals, self-regulate behaviors and emotions, adapt to new and unexpected situations, and ultimately engage in abstract thinking and planning. In this brief presentation, further definition and strategies will be discussed.
December, 2022 webinar transcript (WORD).
Click here to view the presentation (PDF).
Click here to watch the December 2022 webinar:
January 18, 2023
What Crucial Conversations Training can do for Your District and for Families
Dr. Rob Keiter
SERC Program Coordinator
Do you ever find yourself having difficulty in your interactions with others? Crucial Conversations for Mastering Dialogue is a nationally recognized training that SERC offers to schools and families at no cost through our partnership with the State Department of Education. This training is more than just another communications training. It’s about helping you get the results you want and need in your interactions with others. Today’s webinar will highlight some of the important aspects and benefits of the training.
January webinar transcript (WORD).
Click here to view the presentation (PDF).
Click here to watch the January 2023 webinar:
February 15, 2023
Interpreting Psychoeducational Evaluation Results
Dr. Sara Rich and Dr. Brit'ny Stein
OSU Bridge Center
This presentation will provide attendees a framework for viewing evaluation results in terms of comprehensiveness, psychometric properties, and use of results to develop individualized goals.
February, 2023 webinar transcript (WORD).
Click here to view the presentation (PDF).
Click here to view the handout (PDF).
Click here to watch the February webinar:
April 19, 2023
Introducing the IEP Team Relationship Reset
Dr. Rob Keiter
SERC Program Coordinator
Implementation of the IDEA requires collaboration between, families, educators, other professionals, and community resources. In the ideal environment, IEP team members listen to each member’s point of view and work together to develop a high-quality IEP. We’ve all been in IEP meetings where it didn’t take long to realize that the biggest Issue in the meeting wasn’t the “issues” that were being discussed, but rather the interpersonal dynamics and interactions between the team members. When using technology, sometimes we need to do a “reset” to get things to work again. Is it possible to reset a team when it’s stuck? The goal of this presentation will be to start a conversation around how we might go about resetting team relationships when and where collaboration is being sabotaged by the interactions between team members. The conversation begins by considering a strategic intervention that would include practical techniques leading to improved relationships and results on the IEP team. The training is designed for parents, school personnel, and individuals that work with organizations serving children with disabilities. Some of the things we’ll be talking about include: What is an IEP Team Relationship Reset? How do we know it’s needed? What does it look like? and Where to begin?
April, 2023 webinar transcript (WORD).
Click here to view the presentation (PDF).
Click here to view the related handout (PDF).
Click here to watch the April webinar:
May 17, 2023
Assistive Technology in the Classroom
GRETCHEN COLE-LADE, NBCT, PhD
State Leadership Training Specialist
Oklahoma ABLE Tech
ABLE Tech is Oklahoma’s Assistive Technology Act program. ABLE Tech provides a variety of assistive technology (AT) resources for educators and families to support students with disabilities in all aspects of their lives. Dr. Gretchen Cole-Lade is a former Special Educator, higher education professor, and currently ABLE Tech’s Training Specialist. Her Wisdom Wednesday presentation will provide information regarding ABLE Tech’s resources, as well as discuss the four federal laws which impact the consideration, assessment, and implementation of AT in public school classrooms.
May, 2023 webinar transcript (WORD).
Click here to view the presentation (pdf).
Click here to watch the May webinar:
June 21, 2023
Introducing IEP Facilitation on the District Level
Rob Keiter
SERC Program Coordinator
Implementation of the IDEA requires collaboration between, families, educators, other professionals, and community resources. This is also true of the larger system of education. We are expected to work interdependently in the context of this complex and essential work. The effectiveness of this shared work is often enhanced when supported by a skilled facilitator.
SERC in partnership with the Oklahoma State Department of Education (OSDE) offers IEP facilitation to schools and families at no charge. Either the school or family can request a facilitator, and both must agree to the use of this resource. When requested, highly experienced third-party facilitators contracted with SERC serve in this role. While this statewide resource will continue to be available in Oklahoma, this new training is designed to help districts develop in-house facilitators to support the work of local IEP teams and other collaborative conversations. The Wednesday, June 21, 2023 Wisdom Wednesday Webinar will introduce this new training.
June, 2023 webinar transcript (WORD).
Click here to view the presentation (PDF).
Click here to view the related handout (PDF).
Click here to watch the June webinar: