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 23, 2024.

Complete the SETTA Application Form or GETSET Application Form and email the completed corresponding application cover page(s) (attached) to the Exceptional Student Services Recruitment and Retention Inbox, using the subject line [District or charter school name]: 2024 GETSET/SETTA Application.

Please note:

• PEAs can now 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, 2024.
• 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.

Please share the following professional learning opportunities with general and special education teachers who teach mathematics.

Virtual Professional Learning Opportunities:

The following virtual sessions are offered via Zoom and are free to attend. Click the session link to view the session description and to pre-register.

Take a DIP into Estimation 180 (Grades K–12)
Thursday, February 1, from 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Math Language Routines that Help Students Understand Context (Grades K–12)
Thursday, February 8, from 4:00–5:30 p.m.
Take a DIP into Dot Talks (Grades K–12)
Tuesday, March 5, from 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Take a DIP into Growing Patterns (Grades K–12)

Tuesday, March 26 from 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Note: Accommodations must be requested at least one week in advance of the webinar. Sessions will not be recorded. It is strongly recommended that you use a computer to access the webinar to enable full participation in the session.

Please email Rob Hilliker with any questions.

Please visit the ESS Math webpage to view more upcoming events and helpful resources. 

Registration for the 2023 Special Education New Director Symposium (SENDS) is closing soon, so please be sure to register if you are beginning your first or second year as a special education director.

The purpose of this professional learning opportunity is to prepare new special education directors for the practical operation of a special education system. Topics covered in SENDS include compliance and legal requirements, fiscal issues, assessment, general supervision, and ADE supports and resources.

SENDS will be held virtually from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on September 15, October 20, November 3, and December 8. New special education directors serving Arizona public education agencies in their first or second year of being a special education director (including any previous positions) are eligible to attend. Each new director will also receive a one-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and CEC’s Council for Administrators of Special Education (CASE) special interest division. The cost of participation in SENDS is $50.

Register for the Special Education New Director Symposium (SENDS).

For questions about SENDS, please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox.

ADE/ESS is pleased to announce that registration for the 2023 Special Education New Director Symposium (SENDS) is now open! The purpose of this professional learning opportunity is to prepare new special education directors for the practical operation of a special education system. Topics covered in SENDS include compliance and legal requirements, fiscal issues, assessment, general supervision, and ADE supports and resources.

SENDS will be held virtually from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on September 15, October 20, November 3, and December 8. New special education directors serving Arizona public education agencies in their first or second year of being a special education director (including any previous positions) are eligible to attend. Each new director will also receive a one-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and CEC’s Council for Administrators of Special Education (CASE) special interest division. The cost of participation in SENDS is $50.

Register for the Special Education New Director Symposium (SENDS) training.

For questions about SENDS, please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox.

Registration for Teach Camp is closing soon, so be sure to register your new special education teachers for Teach Camp today! 

Teach Camp is a year-long support system that includes professional learning specifically designed for beginning special educators. The goal of Teach Camp is to increase retention of special educators by providing our newest special education teachers with the tools they need to survive and thrive during their first years in the classroom. 

Teach Camp is available to special education teachers who will begin their first, second, or third year of teaching special education in the fall of 2023. Recent graduates from traditional teacher preparation programs, alternative certified teachers, and veteran general education teachers transitioning to special education are all welcome. Please note, participants must be currently employed in a school district or charter as a special education teacher, and participants must have no more than two years of special education teaching experience in total (including previous positions) to be eligible to attend Teach Camp.  

Teach Camp will launch this summer! The cost is $250 per teacher and includes: 

• 3-day summer “camp” to be held June 26–28, 2023 in Phoenix* (breakfast and lunch provided) 
• One-day follow-up session in February 2024 in Phoenix* with national speaker Carol Kosnitsky (lunch provided)  
• A copy of The Survival Guide for New Special Education Teachers 
• A one-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children 
• Additional valuable resources  

*Information regarding travel reimbursement for participants from eligible PEAs will be provided once registration is completed. 

Registration for Teach Camp is open until June 5, 2023, on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration must be approved by the special education director and completed by the PEA, not the special education teacher. On-site registration is not available.  

Begin the registration process for Teach Camp! 

Please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox with any questions about Teach Camp. For more information about Teach Camp, pleasevisit the ESS Teach Camp webpage. 

Special Education Directors,

Please share the following math professional learning opportunities with general and special education teachers who teach mathematics.

Count Me In: Accessible Algebra Using Tiles  

Teachers will walk away with a conceptual understanding of the learning progressions within algebraic reasoning by using algebra tiles. We will explore topics such as integer operations, linear expressions, solving equations, and factoring quadratic expressions. This training is most appropriate for general education teachers and special education teachers in grades 6 through those who teach high school algebra. 

Register for Accessible Algebra: Flagstaff (June 13, 2023) or 

Register for Accessible Algebra: Scottsdale (July 12, 2023)

Count Me In: Powerful Practices for Inclusive Mathematics Instruction  

We will explore various instructional routines that give students the opportunity to engage in multiple means of representation, action, expression, and engagement through the Universal Design for Learning framework. This training is most appropriate for general education teachers and special education teachers in grades kindergarten through high school. 

Register for Powerful Practices for Inclusive Mathematics Instruction: Flagstaff (June 14, 2023) or 

Register for Powerful Practices for Inclusive Mathematics Instruction: Scottsdale (July 13, 2023)

 Count Me In: Foundations for Fluency  

We will engage in instructional routines, strategies, and games that help all students to develop the flexibility to solve contextual and mathematical problems involving whole numbers. This training is most appropriate for general education teachers and special education teachers in kindergarten through grade 6 to register. 

Register for Foundations of Fluency: Flagstaff (June 15, 2023) or 

Register for Foundations of Fluency: Scottsdale (July 14, 2023)

For more detailed information on each training, go to "In-Person Professional Learning Opportunities" on the ESS Math web page.

Registration:

Registration for this event must be completed in the Arizona Professional Learning and Development (APLD) registration system. You must be logged in to your ADE Connect account to complete the registration. If you do not have an ADE Connect account, you will need to create one before you register for the course.

 Please email the ESS PLS Inbox with any questions about registration. Please email Jenifer Fernandez or email Rob Hilliker with any questions about the training. 

The ADE/ESS is pleased to announce that registration for Teach Camp is now open! 

Teach Camp is a year-long support system that includes professional learning specifically designed for beginning special educators. The goal of Teach Camp is to increase retention of special educators by providing our newest special education teachers with the tools they need to survive and thrive during their first years in the classroom. 

Teach Camp is available to special education teachers who will begin their first, second, or third year of teaching special education in the fall of 2023. Recent graduates from traditional teacher preparation programs, alternative certified teachers, and veteran general education teachers transitioning to special education are all welcome. Please note, participants must be currently employed in a school district or charter as a special education teacher, and participants must have no more than two years of special education teaching experience in total (including previous positions) to be eligible to attend Teach Camp.  

Teach Camp will launch this summer! The cost is $250 per teacher and includes: 

• 3-day summer “camp” to be held June 26–28, 2023 in Phoenix* (breakfast and lunch provided) 
• One-day follow-up session in February 2024 in Phoenix* with national speaker Carol Kosnitsky (lunch provided)  
• A copy of The Survival Guide for New Special Education Teachers 
• A one-year membership to the Council for Exceptional Children 
• Additional valuable resources 

*Information regarding travel reimbursement for participants from eligible PEAs will be provided once registration is completed. 

Registration for Teach Camp is open until June 5, 2023, on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration must be approved by the special education director and completed by the PEA, not the special education teacher. On-site registration is not available.  

Begin the registration process for Teach Camp! 

 Please email the ESS Recruitment and Retention Inbox with any questions about Teach Camp. For more information about Teach Camp, pleasevisit the ESS Teach Camp webpage. 

Special Education Directors:

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, then 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 Education 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 this flyer and register to attend one of the following free webinars:

Register for March 27 from 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Register for March 27 from 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Register for April 13 from 9:00–10:00 a.m.

Register for April 13 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 public education agency. Applications earning the highest scores in the evaluation process will be approved until all seats are filled. Completed applications must be submitted by April 27 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.

For information regarding MTBS, please contact Celeste Nameth.

Greetings,

The ADE/ESS is pleased to announce the 2023 Seminar for School-Based Speech-Language Pathologists: Expanding​ ​Expression​ ​Training: ​ A​ ​Multi-Sensory​ ​Approach​ ​for​ ​Improved​ ​Writing,​ ​Oral Expression,​ ​and​ ​Comprehension​ Across​ ​the​ ​Curriculum with Sara​ ​L.​ ​Smith,​ ​MS,​ ​CCC-SLP​ ​​(and founder​ ​of​ ​EET). The intended audience for this seminar is Speech-Language Pathologists, Speech-Language Technicians, and Speech-Language Pathology Assistants.

Sponsored by the ADE/ESS

Hosted by Alhambra Elementary School District

Date:                  Wednesday, May 3, 2023

Time:                  8:30 a.m.–4:40 p.m.

Fee:                    $40.00 (lunch on your own)

Where:              4510 N 37th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85019

Course​ ​Description:

This training will focus on helping students ​comprehend​ ​curriculum​ ​materials,​  ​write using​ ​details,​ ​and​ ​express​ ​themselves​ ​using​ ​multisensory,​ ​brain-based​ ​techniques.​ ​Participants will​ ​learn​ ​how​ ​to​ ​target​ ​general​ ​descriptions,​ ​writing​ ​from​ ​prior​ ​knowledge, biographies/autobiographies​, ​and​ ​summarizing​ ​using​ ​simple​ ​strategies.​ ​Multiple​ ​ways​ ​to​ ​target language​ ​processing​ ​skills​ ​will​ ​be​ ​provided​ ​as​ ​well.​ ​Student​ ​samples​ ​and​ ​hands-on​ ​activities​ ​are included.​ ​The​ ​strategies​ ​discussed​ ​are​ ​being​ ​used for ages​ ​preschool​ ​through​ ​adult​ ​in​ ​both​ ​general​ ​and special​ ​education​ ​settings.

Learner​ ​Outcomes:

Participants​ ​will​ ​be​ ​able​ ​to:

1. ​Teach​ ​students/clients​ ​a​ ​multi-sensory​ ​approach​ ​for​ ​including​ ​more​ ​details​ ​in​ ​their​ ​definitions and​ ​descriptions.
2. ​Explain​ ​how​ ​to​ ​use​ ​strategies​ ​to​ ​target​ ​the​ ​following​ ​areas:​ ​categorization,​ ​function, appearance,​ ​composition,​ ​associated​ ​parts,​ ​location,​ ​and​ ​similarities​ ​and​ ​differences.
3. ​Use​ ​and​ ​teach​ ​a​ ​tool​ ​for​ ​improved​ ​organization​ ​in​ ​writing​ ​from​ ​prior​ ​knowledge​ ​and biographies/autobiographies.
4. ​Explain​ ​how​ ​to​ ​collect​ ​baseline​ ​data​ ​and​ ​monitor​ ​progress​ ​using​ ​the​ ​program.
5. ​Complete​ ​a​ ​therapeutic​ ​or​ ​curriculum-based​ ​lesson​ ​using​ ​a​ ​language​ ​tool.

About the Presenter:

Sara​ ​L.​ ​Smith,​ ​MS,​ ​CCC-SLP,​ ​is​ ​an​ ​ASHA​ ​certified​ ​speech-language​ ​pathologist​ ​and​ ​founder​ ​of​ ​the Expanding​ ​Expression​ ​Tool​ ​(EET).​ ​She​ ​began​ ​her​ ​career​ ​in​ ​the​ ​Bay​ ​City​ ​Public​ ​Schools​ ​(Michigan),​ ​where she​ ​focused​ ​on​ ​developing​ ​and​ ​teaching​ ​language​ ​strategies​ ​to​ ​facilitate​ ​academic​ ​success.​ ​Her​ ​interest and​ ​continued​ ​study​ ​of​ ​language​ ​processing​ ​and​ ​multisensory​ ​approaches​ ​to​ ​learning​ ​have​ ​led​ ​to​ ​her development​ ​of​ ​the​ ​Expanding​ ​Expression​ ​Program​ ​for​ ​improved​ ​oral​ ​and​ ​written​ ​language.​ ​As​ ​a​ ​national speaker,​ ​Sara​ ​provides​ ​insight​ ​into​ ​learning​ ​and​ ​demonstrates​ ​strategies​ ​to​ ​use​ ​with​ ​all​ ​children.​ ​She received​ ​her​ ​Bachelor’s​ ​Degree​ ​from​ ​Central​ ​Michigan​ ​University​ ​and​ ​her​ ​Master’s​ ​Degree​ ​from​ ​Bowling Green​ ​State​ ​University.

Registration:

Registration for this event must be completed in the Arizona Professional Learning and Development (APLD) registration system. You must be logged in to your ADE Connect account to complete the registration. If you do not have an ADE Connect account, you will need to create one before you register for the course.

Register for “Expanding Expression Training: A Multi-Sensory Approach for Improved Writing, Oral Expression, and Comprehension Across the Curriculum.”

If you have questions, please contact [email protected]

Special Education Directors,

The Arizona Speech-Language and Hearing Association (ArSHA) will be holding its annual convention in Phoenix on March 31–April 1. There will be hundreds of Speech-Language Pathologists, Speech-Language Technicians, and Speech-Language Pathology Assistants attending this event. 

The Arizona Department of Education sponsors the public school strand at the convention to support high-quality, relevant professional learning for school-based speech personnel. This year’s sponsored topics include remediation of speech sound disorders and developmental language disorders, assistive technology (AT), augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), and supporting students who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing.

ADE/ESS will have a booth in the exhibit hall for recruiting SLPs/SLTs/SLPAs to work in Arizona’s public schools. We plan to highlight all SLP/SLT/SLPA positions that are posted on the Arizona Education Employment Board (AEBB) by March 23. The AEEB jobs board is a free, online special education job board provided by ESS. To be included in this recruitment effort, please post your speech positions on our job board by March 23. 

Prior to posting your speech position(s), you may wish to review our “Develop Effective Job Postings” guidance document.

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