09:30-10:00 Welcome and Introductions 10:00-12:30 First Session - PD for school counsellors 12:30-13:30 Lunch 13:30-15:30 Second Session - Collaborative Planning Time 15:30-16:00 Coffee Break 16:00-17:00 End of day plenary and wrap-up
The purpose of the presentation is to discuss adolescent development with a focus on the ways rapid neurologic changes impact teenage behavior, thoughts, and feelings. Definitions of the term "adolescence" will be explored with a specific focus on how changes in the prefrontal cortex and limbic system impact emotion regulation, decision-making, and perceptions of risks. Strategies for guiding adolescent students toward increased independence will be explored. Common adolescent mental health concerns will be addressed, including sleep problems, anxiety, symptoms of depression, and technology misuse. Attendees will learn about strategies to identify risk factors for students who may engage in self-harm (NSSI; non-suicidal self-injury) and suicidal ideation. A Whole School Approach to promote prevention will be discussed, and specific interventions and strategies for approaching students, parents, and guardians will be explored. A continuum of risk will be presented, and evidenced-based strategies for intervention will be outlined and practiced in session. Recommendations regarding external referral processes will be outlined. Finally, evidence-based research regarding post-suicide interventions will be presented.
Fostering a sense of belonging is essential for student success and staff well-being. This workshop will share practical strategies for building a strong, inclusive school community. Ideas for Social Emotional themed lessons, engaging assemblies, meaningful bulletin boards, collaborations with specialists and staff events that promote connection and cultural appreciation. Some ideas have been highly successful and others are still works in progress.
As learners begin to near the end of their time in the primary school, fostering independence and autonomy becomes a vital skill to prepare them for the next step in their school life. In this session, teachers will explore practical strategies to ensure every learner feels welcomed, supported, and prepared for the challenges ahead. We will discuss approaches that encourage learners to be courageous in facing new academic and social environments, equipping them with skills to navigate change successfully. Through collaboration and reflection, participants will learn how to develop structured transition plans that instil confidence and instigate a proud sense of accomplishment in learners as they take their next educational steps. We will share some of the approaches used in our Grade 4 and Grade 5 classrooms, and there will also be an opportunity for you to share what you do in your own schools.
09:30-10:00 Welcome Coffee 10:00-12:30 First Session: Introduction to Function, Behavioral descriptions, and typical Functional Categories, Practice Writing, Using the FAST Assessment tool, 12:30-13:30 Lunch 13:30-15:30 Second Session: Case Studies, Generate Functional statements based upon context, Matching Skills as Replacement Behaviors, Behavior Plan Writing, Barriers to Implementation 15:30-16:00 Coffee Break 16:00-17:00 End of day plenary and wrap-up
We will look at the ‘lived experience’ of trauma for neurodivergent children and young people, discussing risks, contexts, while exploring the complexities and the solutions for working with neurodivergence in schools and with trauma. An informed approach will be presented to demonstrate how neurodivergent people with or without a learning challenge are at heightened risk of experiencing any type of trauma.
Head of Student Support - Secondary School, Berlin Metropolitan School gGmbH
I have lived all my life outside of my passport country and have graduated myself from an international school as well. I have started my career as an IB psychology teacher and slowly after more studies and my licensure, I have started working as a counsellor and in student support.I... Read More →
