When teachers and support staff come together to grow their professional skills, the improved growth of students learning is typically the main long-term objective.
Because of this, the ESD is proud to partner with our member school districts to provide a full schedule of training and support throughout the school year.
A recent example was the two-day workshop sponsored by PreK for All for 27 area GSRP teachers and support staff conducted prior to the start of the new school year in late August.
This amazing group of area early childhood educators is committed to addressing common behavioral problems in children by proactively teaching what appropriate "good behavior" looks like in social and school environments.
Specifically, the workshop provided 27 GSRP educators (Great Start Readiness Program) the opportunity to strengthen their skills and practices in Childhood Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (EC PBIS), a framework designed to promote children’s social-emotional development, prevent challenging behaviors, and ensure that all young learners are supported for success.
The training allowed participants to dive deep into the "Pyramid Model," practice strategies for nurturing positive relationships, and explore proactive classroom systems fully aligned with EC PBIS goals.
Participants engaged in learning activities that modeled tiered supports, reflected on their current practices, and planned for how to embed new strategies into their daily routines.
"What sets our ESD apart is our full-scale implementation of EC PBIS through Pyramid Practices," said Jeni Schafer, Early Childhood Supervisor for the ESD. "We are one of the few ISDs in Michigan to focus on creating high-quality, evidence-based supports that meet the diverse needs of preschool children and their families in every classroom."
Jeni's vision for the two-day workshop was clear; to equip teachers and staff with the practical strategies necessary to build classrooms where every child feels safe, supported, and ready to learn.
So, what do trainings look like when put in action?
In this photo, children at Shelby ECC in Bobbi Crenno's class proudly show off their Super Friend capes. They have the opportunity to wear these after demonstrating positive interactions with peers and using friendship skills such as friendly touches and sharing materials.
Teacher Jennifer Jones at Diman-Wolf ECC reads Friends, by Mies van Hout, a fun story that highlights friendly monsters navigating the daily fun, and sometimes challenging, stages of friendship, from playing and cuddling to teasing and fighting.
Courtney Walters teaches at the Ludington ECC. Here she is reading Llama, Llama, Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney. This book captures the common anxieties children experience when leaving their parents for a new environment, such as school, and teaches children about a range of emotions such as loneliness, sadness, comfort, and happiness.
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