BCPDI
Burlington County Professional Development Institute
2017-2018 Offerings
Your Resource for Professional Development in Burlington County
Workshop Contact:
Carrie Long, Assistant BCPDI
(609) 667-5062
Email: bdowns@burlcoschools.org & clong@burlcoschools.org
Workshop Location:
BCSSSD Westampton Campus
Media Center
20 Pioneer Blvd.
Westampton, NJ 08060
All workshops will be held in the Media Center at BCSSSD, 20 Pioneer Blvd., Westampton, NJ unless otherwise noted.
May 17, 2018
Art Therapy in an Educational Setting
Presenter: Kerith Glass, Ed.D., ATR-BC, LPC
Target Audience: School Staff Members
Time: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Workshop Description:
Workshop title: Art therapy in an educational setting. Participants will have the opportunity to increase their understanding of what art therapy is and how it is utilized in the educational setting. Emphasis will also be placed on how to incorporate art therapy strategies into school activities that focus on Emotional Intelligence. Participants will begin to understand how to look at a child’s artwork, note what the child is trying to communicate, and open up a dialogue that the child can feel comfortable expressing him or herself. Participants will learn how art materials, classroom environment, and length of activity will impact on each child’s participation and his or her ability to work with other students as part of a team. Experiential group activities will help participants develop art therapy ideas to address the social, emotional, and physical challenges of their students.
About the Presenter:
Kerith has always had an interest in how art therapy is applied within the educational setting. She is a Certified School Psychologist, a Registered Art Therapist, and a Licensed Professional Counselor. She has worked in Early Intervention Programs, and in public and nonpublic school settings. She has presented locally and nationally on the benefits of art therapy and is an adjunct instructor for the Creative Arts in Therapy Graduate Program at Drexel University. In March 2017, she completed her dissertation research on the use of group art therapy with middle school students in an alternative school setting, and earned her doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Rowan University. She is a full-time School Psychologist for the Educational Services Unit at Burlington County Special Services School District, and has a small private art therapy practice for children, adolescents, and adults.
Registration Deadline: May 10, 2018
May 17, 2018
Mindfulness in the PK-12 Classroom
Presenter: Bobbie Downs
Target Audience: All School Staff and Administrators
Time: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Workshop Description:
Mindfulness has proven to be an effective method in helping students success academically, socially and emotionally. Defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn as “paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally, to the unfolding of experience moment to moment”, mindfulness gives students the tools they need to focus, interact positively with others, and better understand their emotions. This presentation will discuss the basics of mindfulness, give attendees practical ways to apply it in the classroom, and provided resources that they can use to start their own program. Attendees will learn the importance of mindfulness in the lives of teacher and administrators as well. In an era of teacher burnout, high stakes testing, and increasing responsibilities, emotional intelligence is imperative. Mindfulness is an easy, applicable strategy to make an impact individually and school wide. Participants will leave the seminar not only personally relaxed, but with a stronger understanding of how mindfulness can be used when they return to their schools.
About the Presenter:
Bobbie Downs is the Director of the Educational Services Unit under Burlington County Special Services School District. Prior to this position she served as a teacher and then middle school principal at Burlington County Alternative School. During her time there, she implemented mindfulness and yoga in the classroom to effectively help her students. She is a graduate of the Mindful Schools year-long program and continues to seek out professional development in mindfulness education. She is currently pursuing her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership at Rowan University, where she also received her M.A. in School Administration.
Registration Deadline: May 10, 2018
Terms and Conditions
- The Burlington County Professional Development Institute (BCPDI) is comprised of districts in Burlington County who pay an annual membership fee. All employees of participating districts are permitted to attend any and all workshops free of charge for the school year in which a membership fee has been paid.
- A current photo ID issued by the registrant’s district and indicating he/she is an employee of said district is required for entrance to a BCPDI workshop. No person will be admitted to a workshop free of charge without proof of employment in a membership district on the day of the workshop.
- Employees of non-membership districts are permitted to register for any and all BCPDI workshops for a fee of $149 per workshop. Payment in the form of a purchase order, check or money order payable to the “Educational Services Unit - BCPDI” is required for admission on the day of a workshop. Cash and credit cards are not acceptable.
- Registrants are required to secure permission to attend a BCPDI workshop according to the “Request for Professional Development Leave” policies established in their districts. The BCPDI is not responsible for securing professional leave for any workshop participant.
- A Professional Development Certificate indicating the date and title of the workshop, the name of the presenter, and the number of professional development hours awarded will be provided at the conclusion of the workshop. No PD certificates will be issued prior to the conclusion of the workshop.
- In the event of inclement weather or other conditions that result in the cancellation of a scheduled workshop, information will be posted on the Burlington County Special Services School District website (www.bcsssd.k12.nj.us) under the ESU tab. An email will also be sent to all registrants. Every effort will be made to reschedule any cancelled workshop.