BCPDI 2022-2023
Webinar/Workshop Lineup
Your Resource for Professional Development in Burlington County
Workshop Contacts:
Bobbie Downs, Administrator BCPDI - bdowns@burlcoschools.org
Carrie Long, Administrative Assistant BCPDI - clong@burlcoschools.org
609-702-0500 ext. 7419
Important Information:
We have brought back in-person presentations! This year we have a mix of both virtual and in-person workshops so please take notice of this when registering.
All online webinars will be held online via zoom. You will receive an email confirmation of your registration and the Zoom Login information will be sent to that same email address as the date of the webinar approaches.
All in-person workshops will be held in the media center at the Burlington County Special Services School, 20 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, NJ 08060. You will receive an email confirmation of your registration and a reminder as the date of the workshop approaches.
Applied Behavior Analysis 101
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Presenter: Adell Valasek
Target Audience: All School Staff and Parents
About the Workshop: The purpose of this workshop will be to go over basic principles of Applied Behavior Analysis and how to use them to assist students with socially significant behavioral changes. We will focus on core vocabulary and definitions of reinforcement and functions of behaviors. This vital knowledge assists us with developing treatment plans for students. Lastly, we will review strategies to address functions of behaviors.
About the Presenter: Adell Valasek began her career and passion for teaching individuals with developmental delays in college at Shippensburg University. She has over 23 years of experience working in special education. She has been a classroom teacher, an autism consultant, and a supervisor at Burlington County Special Services.
Ms. Valasek holds a bachelor’s degree and a master's degree in criminal justice from Shippensburg University, and a master’s degree in Education from Widener University, where she graduated with honors. She received her Board Certification as a Behavior Analyst (BCBA) from Penn State University, her Supervisor of Education certification from Rutgers University, and her principal certification from the University of Scranton.
Ms. Valasek is a member of the NJ Department of Education Committee for updating Autism Quality Indicators. She is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children. She provides training at the Burlington County Professional Develop Institute, as well as consultation and training services to the International School of Brussels. She has been actively involved in the Special Olympics for over 18 years, and she is a Board Member of the YMCA.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two daughters and husband, going to the beach, running, and reading. Additionally, she continues to support families in the community by providing therapy in the home setting.
Safety & Security with Students with Exceptionalities
Offered at no cost to all districts
May 9, 2023 1:00-3:00pm
Presenter: Dr. Thomas Gambino
Target Audience: Administrators, Teachers, All School Staff
About the Workshop: Students with exceptionalities may face various stresses when participating in school security drills. To assist educators in preparing students for the required drills, the New Jersey Department of Education's Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning has prepared some suggestive practices.
About the Presenter: Dr. Thomas Gambino is an Education Program Development Specialist with the Office of School Preparedness and Emergency Planning, Division of Field Services - Office of Fiscal Accountability & Compliance.
Youth Mental Health First Aid
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Presenter: Dr. Bobbie Downs
Target Audience: All School Staff, Parents/Guardians
PARENT/GUARDIAN/COMMUNITY TRAINING:
May 16, 2023 5:00-9:00pm
STAFF TRAINING:
May 18, 2023 9:00am-3:00pm
About the Workshop: Youth Mental Health First Aid is designed to teach parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health of addiction challenge or is in crisis. Youth Mental Health First Aid is primarily designed for adults who regularly interact with young people. The course introduces common mental health challenges for youth, reviews typical adolescent development, and teaches a 50step action plan for how to help young people in both crisis and non-crisis situations. Topics covered include anxiety , depression, substance abuse, disorders in which psychosis may occur, disruptive behavior disorders (including AD/HD), and eating disorders.
All participants that attend will receive a nationally recognized certification and will be registered in the Youth Mental Health First Aid national database.
About the Presenter: Dr. Bobbie Downs is currently the Director of the Child Study Team, Related Services, and Educational Services Unit of the Burlington County Special Services School District. She also facilitates the Burlington County Professional Development Institute and Burlington County School Crisis Response Team. Dr. Downs decided to pursue a career in education after serving as a teacher and administrator in a school for Sudanese refugees in Cairo, Egypt. Since that time, Dr. Downs served in the role of teacher and administrator at the Burlington County Alternative School before being named Director of the ESU. Dr. Downs received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Master's Degree in Teaching from Drew University. Later, Dr. Downs earned her Master degree in School Leadership and her Doctoral degree in Educational Leadership from Rowan University. Dr. Downs also holds a Graduate Certificate of Autism Education. She is a certified mindfulness instructor for Mindful Schools and an instructor for Youth Mental Health First Aid. Dr. Downs is an active member of the New Jersey Principals and Supervisors Association and the Council for Exceptional Children. She also works for the Korean War Legacy Foundation and the World History Digital Education Foundation with the goal of helping educators teach more about the war and the past, present, and future development of Korea.
PARENT/GUARDIAN/STAFF TRAINING:
May 16, 2023 5:00-9:00pm
BCSSSD Media Center
Offered at no cost to parents/guardians in Burlington County
Please click here to register.
STAFF TRAINING:
May 18, 2023 9:00am-3:00pm
BCSSSD Media Center
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/webinars free of charge for the school year in which a membership fee has been paid.
- Employees of non-membership districts are able to register for any and all BCPDI presentations at a cost of $25 per webinar, $50 per book study and $149 per in person workshop. At least one week prior to the presentation, you will receive an email from clong@burlcoschools.org asking if you would like your district invoiced or you will be paying personally.
- 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 presentation. No PD certificates will be issued prior to the conclusion.
- In the event of inclement weather or other conditions that result in the cancellation of a scheduled presentation, information will be posted on the Burlington County Special Services School District website. (www.burcoschools.org) An email will also be sent to all registrants. Every effort will be made to reschedule any cancelled webinar or workshop.
About us
Email: clong@burlcoschools.org
Website: www.edservicesunit.com
Location: 20 Pioneer Boulevard, Westampton, NJ, USA
Phone: 609- 702-0500
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Educational-Services-Unit-134704423658284/
Twitter: @ESUBurlco