The ADE/ESS Recruitment and Retention team is staffing a recruitment booth at the Council for Exceptional Children's (CEC) annual convention from March 11–15, 2025, as part of our recruiting efforts on behalf of all Arizona PEAs. Each year, CEC draws thousands of preservice special education students, teachers, and related service providers.  

  Our booth includes Arizona Department of Tourism brochures showcasing the diverse beauty of our state, materials pointing attendees to our job board, and, of course, the famous cactus pencils. 

  Following our attendance at national conventions, we typically see a dramatic uptick in Arizona Education Employment Board visitors. Please make sure that your special education positions are posted on our free job board as soon as possible to take advantage of this opportunity. 

 For additional information, please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox. 

Are you concerned about the current rate of suspensions and expulsions at your school or district? Do you feel students are losing valuable class time due to disruptions and other behavior problems? Are teachers struggling to be successful with classroom management? Are administrators spending too much time dealing with discipline issues?  If you answered “yes” to one or more of these questions, you might find the solution in Multi-Tier Behavior Supports.

Multi-Tier Behavior Supports (MTBS) is a three-year training series that will assist district, charter, or school teams with the development of a school-wide approach for positive behavior management practices. This training is based on School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (SW-PBIS) evidence-based elements. The Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) notes that “the IEP Team shall, in the case of a child whose behavior impedes the child’s learning or that of others, consider the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports, and other strategies, to address that behavior” (20 U.S.C. §1414(d)(3)(B)(i)). 

Several free informational webinars are being offered to outline additional details about the MTBS model, the three-year training sequence, the readiness requirements, and the process for applying.  Attendance at one of the informational webinars is the first readiness requirement necessary for participation in the training series.

If you are interested in learning more and/or starting the readiness process, review the attached flyer and register to attend one of the following free webinars:

Register for February 19 from 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Register for February 19 from 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Register for February 25 from 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Register for February 25 from 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Directions for applying for the training series will be provided during the webinar. Registration is limited to ten teams and only one team from each district. Applications earning the highest scores in the evaluation process will be approved until all seats are filled. Completed applications must be submitted by April 2 at 5:00 p.m.

The special education director is required to attend the readiness webinar for a PEA/district team. The principal is required to attend the readiness webinar for a school team.

Please see the MTBS 2025 flyer for additional information. If you have questions, please contact Celeste Nameth.

In partnership with ADE/ESS, the College and Career Competencies (CCCs) Project invites you to tune into a Spring 2025 professional learning opportunity for educational leaders and educators, Developing and Improving Students’ Persistence and Confidence Through Self-Efficacy.

Students who don’t have confidence in their abilities give up easily when they experience obstacles. They struggle to understand the connection between putting forth effort and making progress. Self-efficacy is an individual’s perception of their ability to complete challenging tasks. Students with strong self-efficacy understand that learning new things is a process that includes multiple attempts, analyzing each attempt, and applying feedback to improve. They view mistakes and setbacks as opportunities to learn and utilize calming techniques when learning becomes challenging. Educators who support students in developing self-efficacy observed increased confidence and the ability to view mistakes as learning opportunities in their students. Academic and behavioral outcomes are improved when educators are supported in developing students’ self-efficacy.

For K-12 Educational Leaders
Title: Improving Students’ Persistence and Confidence Through Self-EfficacyTarget
Audience: School and district administrators, special education directors, curriculum directors, directors of teaching and learning, professional development coordinators, and other school administrators.
Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Time: 9:00–9:45 a.m.

Please join us for this interactive 45-minute webinar as we explore these topics: 

• Accessing free professional learning for your staff
• Teaching self-efficacy with free curriculum
• Systematic approaches to implementing self-efficacy instruction
• Coaching educators as they provide self-efficacy instruction

Register for Improving Students’ Persistence and Confidence Through Self-Efficacy.

For K-12 Special Educators and Interventionists

Title: Developing Students’ Persistence and Confidence Through Self-Efficacy
Target Audience: Special educators, school counselors, social workers, related services providers, instructional coaches, and interventionists
Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Time: 3:00–3:45 p.m.

Please join us for this interactive 45-minute webinar as we explore these topics: 

• Teaching self-efficacy with free curriculum
• Measuring students’ self-efficacy
• Individualized support for developing students’ self-efficacy
• Accessing free self-efficacy courses for special education professionals

Register for Developing Students’ Persistence and Confidence Through Self-Efficacy.

For more information, see www.cccframework.org.

The ADE/ESS Professional Learning and Sustainability unit is pleased to announce two “grow-your-own” opportunities for educators in Arizona public schools.

• The General Education Teacher to Special Education Teacher (GETSET) program provides tuition reimbursement to Public Education Agencies (PEAs) for certified general education teachers who want to pursue a career change to become special education teachers. Participants choose the Standard Teaching Certificate or the Full Special Education Teaching Endorsement in mild/moderate disabilities, moderate/severe disabilities, dead/hard of hearing, or visually impaired. Early childhood special education certification is only available via the Standard Professional Teaching Certificate.
• The Special Education Teacher Tuition Assistance (SETTA) program provides tuition reimbursement to PEAs for paraprofessionals and educational interpreters that leads to the Standard Teaching Certificate in mild/moderate disabilities, moderate/severe disabilities, deaf/hard of hearing, visually impaired, or early childhood special education.                                                                                                                                                             

If the candidate chooses the Standard Professional Teaching Certificate Pathway, the teacher shall enroll in an Arizona State Board of Education-approved educator preparation program (EPP) that leads to special education teacher certification (view the list of approved programs that lead to special education certification). Courses for the Full Special Education Endorsement must be taken from an Arizona institute of higher education on the list of approved programs and must be verified by the Arizona Department of Education Certification Unit. See the Special Education Teacher Certification Pathways for more information.

PEAs have an opportunity to submit one application per program per year. Applications earning the highest scores in the evaluation process will be approved until the funding that is set aside for the program is depleted. Applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 21, 2025.

Please review the location information page or the SETTA application information page or the GETSET application information page, and email the completed cover pages from the corresponding cover pages (attached) along with unofficial transcripts to the Exceptional Student Services Recruitment and Retention Inbox, using the subject line [Your District or Charter Name]: 2025 GETSET/SETTA Application.

Please note:

• PEAs can apply for the GETSET program for general education teachers who seek a full special education endorsement.
• Applicant must have been employed by the PEA for two full school years as of June 30, 2025.
• Applicant must agree to two full years of teaching in a special education capacity at the PEA once special education certification is achieved.
• GETSET and SETTA are tuition reimbursement programs. Potential expenses are pre-approved, and reimbursement is provided after each semester is completed and program requirements are met.

For additional information, please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox.

ADE/ESS is pleased to present “A Deep Dive into Speech Sound Disorders: Intervention Only” with Amy Graham, CCC-SLP, for a second time. This repeat presentation is intended for SLPs or SLTs who remained on the waiting list or could not attend the October 11, 2024, session. Thank you, Peoria Unified School District, for securing a great venue for this event.

“A Deep Dive into Speech Sound Disorders: Intervention Only”

Too often, professional development for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) covers everything but intervention. In this full-day course, school-based SLPs will learn how to provide effective intervention for articulation errors and motor, speech, and phonological disorders. There is no fee to attend this session. This professional development activity qualifies as recognized professional development hours (PDHs) under ASHA guidelines. You will receive a certificate of attendance that satisfies their documentation requirements. Hours are not submitted to the CE Registry.

Date:               Friday, January 31, 2025

Time:                8:30 a.m.−4:30 p.m.

Fee:                   Free (Space is limited, and lunch is on your own.)

Where:             Rio Salado Recreation Center

Address:          8866 W Thunderbird Rd, Peoria, AZ 85381

About Amy Graham, CCC-SLP

Amy is a speech-language pathologist, an international speaker, a frequent podcast guest, and a creator of speech therapy resources for SLPs who treat speech sound disorders. 

Register Now for A Deep Dive into Speech Sound Disorders.

Special education leaders, 

Looking for a conference to support the professional learning of paraeducators who work with students with disabilities? 

The National Resource Center for Paraeducators, Related Service Providers, & Interveners (NRCP)  is hosting the 37th National NRCP Virtual Conference on February 21-23, 2025, with an optional Leadership meeting on February 20. This year’s theme is “Paraeducators: Where the Magic Happens!”, and the virtual conference will provide an opportunity for paraeducators, interveners, teachers, administrators, and related service providers (RSPs) to engage with experts, connect with colleagues, share resources, and participate in interactive discussions. 

The conference registration fee is $100 for paraeducators, interveners, education support professionals, family members, and guardians. The conference registration fee is $250 for teachers, administrators, and other educators and policymakers. 

Go to the conference webpage for more information and to register. 

For questions, email Laura Lema.  

Are you looking for Speech-Language Pathologists or Speech-Language Pathology Assistants?

From December 5–7, 2024, ADE/ESS will staff a recruitment booth on behalf of all of Arizona’s public education agencies at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (AHSA) annual national convention in Seattle, WA. Over 20,000 SLPs and graduate students attend ASHA’s convention each year.

If your PEA would like ESS to promote your speech opening(s) at ASHA, please post them on the ADE job board as soon as possible. Our recruiting materials will direct candidates to speech positions posted on the Arizona Education Employment Board and information about becoming licensed and certified to practice in Arizona.

Post your vacancies today!

To attract candidates to your PEA, consider including information about:

• Caseload size/caseload caps
• Resources provided (subscriptions to SLP Toolkit, The Informed SLP, SLP Now, etc.)
• Paid licensure and certification fees
• Funds for professional development
• Highlights of your city/town/community
• Highlight alternative calendars (4-day week, year-round)

For more information, please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox.

ESS collects data each year through the Teacher Attrition Survey to make informed decisions about recruitment and retention efforts in Arizona. Participation in the survey is mandatory for all public education agencies in Arizona. 

  The survey opened on November 1, 2024, and will close on January 31, 2025. Please see the attached memo for further details. Answers to frequently asked questions regarding the survey can be located online. If you have additional questions, please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox.  

Thank you for completing the Teacher Attrition Survey. 

Special Education Professionals,

In partnership with ADE/ESS, the College and Career Competencies (CCCs) Project invites you to tune into a Fall 2024 professional learning opportunity for educators: Developing More Resilient Learners Through Self-Efficacy Instruction.

Target Audience: Special educators, school counselors, social workers, related services providers, instructional coaches, and interventionists

Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Time: 3:00–3:45 p.m.

Description: Do your students lack confidence in their abilities or give up easily when encountering obstacles? Do they become frustrated when learning becomes challenging? Students who don’t have confidence in their abilities and avoid challenges need to improve their self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is an individual’s perception of their ability to complete challenging tasks. Students who have strong self-efficacy understand the connection between putting forth effort and making progress. They accept their mistakes as learning opportunities and utilize calming techniques when learning becomes difficult. Educators who support students in developing self-efficacy observed increased confidence and the ability to view mistakes as learning opportunities in their students.

Please join us for this interactive 45-minute webinar as we explore these topics: 

• Teaching self-efficacy with free curriculum
• Measuring students’ self-efficacy
• Individualized support for developing students’ self-efficacy
• Accessing free self-efficacy courses for special education professionals

Register for Developing More Resilient Learners Through Self-Efficacy webinar.

For more information, see www.cccframework.org.

Each year, ESS updates its contact lists of Lead Speech-Language Pathologists, Lead Occupational Therapists, Lead Physical Therapists, Lead School Psychologists, and Assistive Technology Specialists. We use these contact lists to:

• Keep related service providers informed of relevant professional learning
• Facilitate opportunities for developing discipline-specific professional learning networks or communities of practice
• Develop a pool of expert, experienced, school-based practitioners we may call upon for such things as surveying the need for particular topics in professional learning and providing content expertise to inform or review guidelines and policies developed by ADE/ESS

 Please complete this brief survey, even if your PEA has had no changes in personnel since last year or has no designated leads for related service providers.

 If you have questions, please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox.