Lori Gibson

In an ever-evolving world, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) education is vital in preparing students for the future. This course is tailored for all educators, but especially those new to the world of STEM who may feel overwhelmed at the idea of one more thing! The good news is that you can incorporate authentic STEM learning into what you are already doing in your work with students. This STEM course satisfies the OSPI requirement for recertification in Washington. 

This course is for educators seeking a deeper understanding of students with autism. It is specially tailored for educators who teach in the general education setting and want to understand and add to their toolbox so they can provide for the needs of their neurodiverse students. Special education teachers and support staff will also benefit from this course due to the significant growth in the field of autism, including changes in the diagnosis, interventions, inclusion, and acceptance. 

Imagine looking out on your classroom and knowing that every student has a clear, receptive mind, is engaged, and is ready to learn. Unfortunately, this is rarely what we see in our classrooms. Instead, too many students seem preoccupied, isolated, withdrawn, nervous or overwhelmed. It is estimated that 1 out of every 5 students in America suffers from a diagnosable anxiety disorder. And it is further suggested that, unchecked, anxiety can result in school failure, social isolation and missed opportunities. The purpose of this course is for educators to increase their understanding of anxiety and learn how to support students, and their parents, who are dealing with this disorder. This independent study course is appropriate for Pre-K through grade12 teachers, administrators, support staff and parents. Note: The book, Growing Up Brave, was written for parents, however it is an excellent resource for understanding and supporting our anxious students and their parents.

Our boys are struggling. They are academically disengaged and facing social challenges alone. What will their place will be in the wider world once they leave high school (if they even make it that far)? Let's look at the troubling symptoms our boys are presenting, and then we will pull back the curtain on their inner lives. We will look at the cultural expectations they are under, cultivate new understanding of boys and their world, and much more.

Are kids at your school mean to each other? Of course they are. When kids are cruel to other kids not only does it do direct harm to the victims, it also affects the learning environment for everyone.

Traditional discipline plans usually frustrate chronically disruptive students and can be overkill for well- adjusted kids. Dr. Ross Greene's “Plan B” is a better approach for dealing with disruptive behavior. It assumes that even disruptive students want to succeed in school, but that they have obstacles in their lives which prevent them from being successful.

How delightful would it be if every student came to class on time, had their assignments done and did their best work? Unfortunately this is not the case. While many kids are organized, many kids are not. These disorganized kids can be disruptive; they are stuck in a downward spiral of failure and let’s face it - they drag down your school’s test scores.