Executive Function/Dysfunction
WAIT! That’s an Executive Function Skill?
K-12 for Para Educators
Presented by Susan McKenney, M.Ed. and Karen Abrams, Ph.D.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Southeastern Regional Education Service Center (SERESC)
Bedford NH 03110
(603) 206-6800, www.seresc.net
Who Should Attend:
Ever wondered…
· Why doesn’t this student remember where to line up for lunch?
· Why doesn’t this student ever have a pencil? We need one in math each day.
· Why does this student’s behavior always get worse during a fun assembly at the end of the day?
· How can this student be done in five minutes with an assignment that should take at least a half hour?
Although this event is open to anyone interested in the topic, the target audience is para educators on the elementary, middle, or secondary level who are looking for an understanding of executive dysfunction. Skills such as sequencing, planning, organizing, and emotional control are all components of Executive Function. We will overview, as a para educator, how you can best identify executive dysfunction and subsequently support students to be more successful.
About the Workshop:
Presented by two experienced educators who have extensive hands-on experience addressing executive dysfunction. This workshop will:
- Create a foundation for the extended understanding of what is meant by “Executive Function” (EF)
- Identify classroom characteristics displayed by students with executive dysfunction
- Provide an overview of the emotional impact on students
- Identify ages that are known to be the biggest years for EF growth and development
- Describe a variety of typical school tasks and how successful completion of a given task is connected to and dependent upon specific executive function skills
- Discuss a variety of executive function problems and offer potential solutions for these skill deficits
Outcomes:
As a result of attending, participants will:
- Summarize executive function
- Identify classroom characteristics of children with executive dysfunction
- Connect challenging struggles with different school environments
- Identify the “shifting years” of executive function
- Connect specific school tasks with areas of executive function
- Compile strategies for intervention with students struggling with executive function
Schedule:
9:15 Classroom Characteristics
10:00 Break
10:10 Environment vs Challenging Struggles (Playground, lunchroom, hallways, classroom, etc.)
10:45 The “Shifting Years”
11:45 Lunch
12:45 Connecting school demands with executive function
1:30 Strategies for intervention
2:45 Closing
About the Presenters
Susan McKenney, M.Ed., worked at Amherst Middle School until the spring of 2016 as a learning specialist with a concentration in the area of executive function and now serves as an individual consultant. She partnered with her administration to create and structure The Learning Lab, a program to support middle school students who exhibit difficulty with executive function.
In addition to spending eight years as a classroom teacher, Susan spent more than a dozen years as a case manager for middle school students before establishing the executive function program. A founding member of her school’s RTI Team which trained through the NH Department of Education in connection with the National Center for RTI, Susan served as the school’s RTI facilitator, tracking interventions and data for grades 5-8. In order to expand the proactive use of executive function strategies by students, Susan developed two executive function curriculums, one for fifth grade students and the second for sixth grade students, both of which she delivered on a monthly basis. Susan presents to parents, students, and teachers to expand knowledge and understanding of executive function as well as promote the use of strategies with all groups.
Karen Abrams, Ph.D., has recently retired after approximately 30 years as a School Psychologist and Guidance Counselor. She has been employed in the Elementary, Middle, and High School settings. Karen has also taught undergraduate teacher preparation as well as shared in the development of a school counselor graduate program for which she also delivered instruction. She has offered workshops regarding executive function and dysfunction for para professionals, teachers, and parents. In addition to workshops, Karen has extensive experience offering direct consultation and intervention strategies to students, fellow educators and parents on an as-needed basis. Karen has also worked with students of all grade levels to help them understand their academic frustrations and develop plans for success. With the goal of reaching all students, Karen has offered classroom guidance as well as theme-based group counseling sessions.
Wednesday, March 29, 2017
Check-in and continental breakfast starts at 8:00 am
Presentation starts at 8:30 am
Lunch at SERESC
Adjourn: 3:00 pm
Participants will receive a certificate of attendance for 5.5 contact hours
Cost: $225.00
Early Registration Discounted Cost: $195.00, if registered by March 8, 2017 ---Enter discount code: early*registration
Registration ends March 22, 2017
Email: pdservices@seresc.net
Website: www.seresc.net
Location: 29 Commerce Drive, Bedford, NH, United States
Phone: 603-206-6800
Like us on Facebook!!
Cancellation Policy for Professional Development Events
**All received registrations are subject to Cancellation/Refund policy. A full refund will be made for cancellations sent via email 7 days before the event.
**Refunds will not be given if the request is received less than 7 days prior to the event.
**Refunds will not be given for “no shows”.
**SERESC accepts substitution of another person. 24 hour advanced notice is appreciated.
**Registration fee or signed Purchase Order is due on or before the event.
**SERESC reserves the right to postpone or cancel events.
Location:
SERESC Conference Center
29 Commerce Drive
Bedford, NH 03110
603-206-6800
Our mission is to inspire innovation and excellence in education and professional practice, and our vision is for helping organizations and individuals achieve their greatest potential as they learn, lead and grow. Our core values are innovation, excellence, integrity, and service.
Click below for directions
Email: pdservices@seresc.net
Website: www.seresc.net
Location: 29 Commerce Drive, Bedford, NH, United States
Phone: 603-206-6800