Professional Development Events

Reignite mathematical wonder and transform your K-12 math instruction at the Fall Math Collaborative.This single-day event focuses on elevating teaching practices, guiding you through strategies that move instruction from procedural to conceptual and designing lessons that spark genuine student engagement. Discover practical approaches to align curiosity with Georgia’s new math standards, fostering deeper understanding and enthusiasm in the classroom.Who Should Attend: This collaborative is specifically designed for Teachers, Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Directors, and Administrators.Participants will:Explore strategies to shift instruction from procedural to conceptual understanding.Design engaging lessons that spark student curiosity and participation.Connect learning experiences to Georgia’s new math standards with practical applications.Join us to cultivate a vibrant, inquiry-driven math learning environment.

Teachers will enhance their ability to plan SDI for students with reading deficits by selecting and utilizing evidence-based strategies that are based in the Science of Reading. In this session, teachers will: Participate in activities that they can take back and immediately implement in their classrooms. Use the SDI planning protocol to address the 5 Pillars of Reading. Utilize a variety of resources to embed SDI and enhance core instruction.

Teachers will enhance their ability to plan SDI for students with reading deficits by selecting and utilizing evidence-based strategies that are based in the Science of Reading. In this session, teachers will: Participate in activities that they can take back and immediately implement in their classrooms. Use the SDI planning protocol to address the 5 Pillars of Reading. Utilize a variety of resources to embed SDI and enhance core instruction.

Get ready to take writing instruction to the next level! In Ignite the Write: Part 2, we’ll explore practical, high-impact strategies aligned to the New Georgia K–12 ELA Standards that strengthen student writing across genres, grounded in techniques. Participants will analyze authentic writing samples and exemplars to identify what strong writing looks and sounds like, then examine how to use rubrics and targeted feedback to guide students toward growth. This interactive session blends strategy use, analysis, and collaboration, leaving you with classroom-ready tools and clear models to ignite writers’ confidence, creativity, and proficiency in grades 3-10. This event will be held in Metter at FDRESA Metter (149 S. Register Street, Metter, GA 30439).

Teachers will enhance their ability to plan SDI for students with reading deficits by selecting and utilizing evidence-based strategies that are based in the Science of Reading. In this session, teachers will: Participate in activities that they can take back and immediately implement in their classrooms. Use the SDI planning protocol to address the 5 Pillars of Reading. Utilize a variety of resources to embed SDI and enhance core instruction.

Be part of a day designed to strengthen how districts support the academic, behavioral, and wellbeing needs of every student. Hear from district and state leaders about data-driven attendance practices, GaMTSS updates, and strategies that connect wellbeing, behavior, and learning. Engage in meaningful reflection using your district’s own climate data and MTSS manual and collaborate with peers to plan next steps.Lunch provided by OTUS, with a brief product showcase.Designed for All Educators including GaMTSS Leads, District PBIS and MTSS Coordinators, School Counselors, PBIS Coaches, SEL Coordinators, School Social Workers, Behavior Interventionists, Building Level Special Education Coordinators, School Climate or Wrap Around Specialists, Administrators, and School MTSS/RTIParticipants are asked to bring laptops and district MTSS manuals to this event.

Teachers will enhance their ability to plan SDI for students with reading deficits by selecting and utilizing evidence-based strategies that are based in the Science of Reading. In this session, teachers will: Participate in activities that they can take back and immediately implement in their classrooms. Use the SDI planning protocol to address the 5 Pillars of Reading. Utilize a variety of resources to embed SDI and enhance core instruction.

Join us in an opportunity for professional learning, collaboration, and resource sharing between behavior support personnel in the First District. Intended Audience: Behavior Specialists, Interventionists, BCBAs, RBTs, PBIS Leads, GNETs Personnel, Counselors, Administrators, and other educators who support behavior in their schools.

This session will assist teachers in writing effective transition plans with appropriate goals.

Teachers will improve their knowledge of and capacity to implement specially designed instruction in the area of mathematics. This training will improve special and general educators' ability to: Utilize resources to effectively collaborate to plan SDI that aligns with Georgia’s standards and framework. Engage in planning conversations to address the unique needs of students and develop action steps to tackle barriers to successful implementation.

Teachers will improve their knowledge of and capacity to implement specially designed instruction in the area of mathematics. This training will improve special and general educators' ability to: Utilize resources to effectively collaborate to plan SDI that aligns with Georgia’s new standards and framework. Engage in planning conversations to address the unique needs of students and develop action steps to tackle barriers to successful implementation.

Join us to explore mental health wellness and purposeful practices strategies to promote collective and self care and personal growth. Guest Speakers will lead participants in interactive sessions. Take-away real applications! Lunch will be provided.

Professional Learning, Collaboration, and Resource Sharing for School Psychologists in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties. Virtual option provided by request.

GaTAPP Saturday Seminar

This session is designed for Special Education Teachers, district leaders and staff who would like to increase their knowledge of transition planning and writing compliant transition plans. The session will provide a review of the Transition Planning Survey (Indicator 13) and best practices for writing compliant transition plans that prepare students for post-secondary outcomes.

Teachers will improve their knowledge of and capacity to implement specially designed instruction in the area of mathematics. Utilize resources to effectively collaborate to plan SDI that aligns with Georgia’s new standards and framework. Engage in planning conversations to address the unique needs of students and develop action steps to tackle barriers to successful implementation.

Teachers will improve their knowledge of and capacity to implement specially designed instruction in the area of mathematics. This training will improve special educator’s ability to: Utilize resources to effectively collaborate to plan SDI that aligns with Georgia’s new standards and framework. Engage in planning conversations to address the unique needs of students and develop action steps to tackle barriers to successful implementation.

Using Strategies by Amie Dean, the Behavior Queen, participants will address solutions to common challenging behaviors. Learn evidence based strategies and tips to use right away and help you survive and students to thrive in the classroom. The workshop is appropriate for all grade levels, and will cover a wide variety of strategies using examples of all levels. This virtual seminar will equip participants with strategies to use to teach and motivate students to be respectful and exhibit appropriate behavior. Start the New Year off with positive strategies to help teachers not just survive, but THRIVE!

The First District Developing Leaders at All Levels Program is designed for any person in a leadership position across your district. Principals, APs, District Office Leaders are encouraged to take part in the timely sessions led each time by Dr. Mark Wilson Richard Smith. We all want to be better at what we do. In this session, Dr. Wilson will lead conversation around managing your day, your work, and your priorities.

Professional learning, collaboration, and resource sharing sessions related to Autism for educators across the First District.

GaTAPP New Cohort Orientation

The First District Transition Alliance connects educators, agencies, and resources across our region in order to improve post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.

Consortium meeting for AT Leads in FDRESA districts- This session focuses on assistive technology to support students with disabilities in reading and ELA.

In this session, teachers will receive an introduction to Specially Designed Instruction, participate in a process for planning SDI, and practice utilizing tools for implementation. The training emphasizes the importance of: Opening Spaces & Building Relationships Establishing Roles and Responsibilities Having Planning Conversations Understanding individual students needs that result from their disability in order to select instructional strategies and supports to help them meet the grade-level standards.

In this session, teachers will receive an introduction to Specially Designed Instruction, participate in a process for planning SDI, and practice utilizing tools for implementation. The training emphasizes the importance of: Opening Spaces & Building Relationships Establishing Roles and Responsibilities Having Planning Conversations Understanding individual students needs that result from their disability in order to select instructional strategies and supports to help them meet the grade-level standards.

The Counselors Collaborative Meeting is for all K-12 School Counselors. It serves as a valuable platform for school counselors to learn, collaborate, and empower one another to create a positive impact on their students lives. This meeting aims to provide a supportive and interactive forum where school counselors from various educational institutions can come together to gain knowledge, exchange best practices, and collaborate on strategies to enhance the well-being and success of their students. Mental health and wellbeing initiatives and materials will also be shared. Counselors will also have time to meet and problem solve in breakout groups with grade level bands. Counselors are encouraged to bring lessons/ideas to share and digital copies can be emailed to rperry@fdresa.org for inclusion in the resource folder.

The Counselors Collaborative Meeting is for all K-12 School Counselors and serves as a valuable platform for school counselors to learn, collaborate, and empower one another to create a positive impact on their students lives. This meeting aims to provide a supportive and interactive forum where school counselors from various educational institutions can come together to gain knowledge, exchange best practices, and collaborate on strategies to enhance the well-being and success of their students. Mental health and wellbeing initiatives and materials will also be shared. Counselors will also have time to meet and problem solve in breakout groups with grade level bands. Counselors are encouraged to bring lessons/ideas to share and digital copies can be emailed to rperry@fdresa.org for inclusion in the resource folder.

School libraries are the heART of the school and within these magical places, school librarians create inspiring spaces and curate experiences that spark curiosity!In this session, you will gain ideas & inspiration to help you lead and advocate with heART from your school libraries. Join us for our 2025-2026 Library Collective as we explore creatively inspired ways to ignite wonder and passion for learning within the school library. Become a member of this collective learning community of school librarians committed to passion-driven, imaginative, and yes, magical learning experiences.

GaTAPP January New Cohort Orientation

Day 3 in a 4-day series for pre-ETS providers on high-leverage practices.

In this session, teachers will receive an introduction to Specially Designed Instruction, participate in a process for planning SDI, and practice utilizing tools for implementation. The training emphasizes the importance of: Opening Spaces & Building Relationships Establishing Roles and Responsibilities Having Planning Conversations Understanding individual students needs that result from their disability in order to select instructional strategies and supports to help them meet the grade-level standards.

Introduction to Specially Designed Instruction In this session, teachers will receive an introduction to Specially Designed Instruction, participate in a process for planning SDI, and practice utilizing tools for implementation. The training emphasizes the importance of: Opening Spaces & Building Relationships Establishing Roles and Responsibilities Having Planning Conversations Understanding individual students needs that result from their disability in order to select instructional strategies and supports to help them meet the grade-level standards.

The Counselors Collaborative Meeting is for all K-12 School Counselors. It serves as a valuable platform for school counselors to learn, collaborate, and empower one another to create a positive impact on their students lives. This meeting aims to provide a supportive and interactive forum where school counselors from various educational institutions can come together to gain knowledge, exchange best practices, and collaborate on strategies to enhance the well-being and success of their students. Mental health and wellbeing initiatives and materials will also be shared. Counselors will also have time to meet and problem solve in breakout groups with grade level bands. Counselors are encouraged to bring lessons/ideas to share and digital copies can be emailed to rperry@fdresa.org for inclusion in the resource folder.

This training seeks to prepare new administrators and special education department chairs to serve as LEA Representative in IEP meetings. Participants will improve their ability to support productive, efficient meetings and lead IEP teams.

Explicit Instruction for Students with Disabilities trains special education co-teachers and resource teachers in clear, systematic teaching methods. It covers core components and includes interactive activities to support students.

This training seeks to prepare new administrators and special education department chairs to serve as LEA Representative inIEP meetings. Participants will improve their ability to support productive, efficient meetings and lead IEP teams.

GaTAPP Saturday Seminar

Featuring: Strategies and Examples appropriate for various age and ability levels, subject areas, and activities (calendar/morning meeting, meal times, field trips, CBVI, with peers, to participate in their IEP meetings). Examples include AAC across continuum (no-, low-, mid-, high-) Resources for implementation

In this half-day training session, teachers will gain knowledge, strategies, and tools to support their students with disabilities to become more independent and successful learners in the classroom.

In this half-day training session, teachers will gain knowledge, strategies, and tools to support their students with disabilities to become more independent and successful learners in the classroom.

The First District Developing Leaders at All Levels Program is designed for any person in a leadership position across your district. Principals, APs, District Office Leaders are encouraged to take part in the timely sessions led each time by Dr. Mark Wilson Richard Smith. Part of being a leader is seeing the BIG picture. Dr. Wilson will lead the group in conversation that helps you bing clarity to your staff, commitment from the group, and establish consistency in your practices.

In this half-day training session, teachers will gain knowledge, strategies, and tools to support their students with disabilities to become more independent and successful learners in the classroom.

In this half-day training session, teachers will gain knowledge, strategies, and tools to support their students with disabilities to become more independent and successful learners in the classroom.

Professional Learning, Collaboration, and Resource Sharing for School Psychologists in Bryan, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Liberty, Long, and McIntosh Counties. Virtual option provided by request.

Teachers will enhance their ability to plan SDI for students with reading deficits by selecting and utilizing evidence-based strategies that are based in the Science of Reading.

Teachers will enhance their ability to plan SDI for students with reading deficits by selecting and utilizing evidence-based strategies that are based in the Science of Reading.

GaTAPP Saturday Seminar

AT Makers Day! An interactive and hands-on workshop for educators to create AT for their classroom.

Be part of a day designed to strengthen how districts support the academic, behavioral, and wellbeing needs of every student. Hear from district and state leaders about data-driven practices, GaMTSS updates, and strategies that connect wellbeing, behavior, and learning.

Agency Expo for families and educators to learn about local agencies and area supports for students with disabilities.

Join your colleagues for a full day of hands-on learning, networking, and exploring the latest educational technology trends.What to Expect:AI Integration in Education - Practical applications for classroom instruction and literacy supportEducational Robotics & Coding - Hands-on experiences with tools that engage studentsDigital Literacy Innovation - Technology strategies that support struggling readersImmersive Learning - AR/VR experiences that bring abstract concepts to lifeGamification & Engagement - Interactive tools that motivate and inspire learnersData-Driven Solutions - Analytics and assessment tools for personalized learningPerfect For:Media Specialists & School LibrariansTechnology Directors & CoordinatorsInstructional Technology SpecialistsReading/Literacy CoachesSTEM/STEAM EducatorsForward-thinking AdministratorsMore details will be released as we get closer to the date!

Teachers will enhance their ability to plan SDI for students with reading deficits by selecting and utilizing evidence-based strategies that are based in the Science of Reading.

Teachers will enhance their ability to plan SDI for students with reading deficits by selecting and utilizing evidence-based strategies that are based in the Science of Reading.

In partnership with Okefenokee RESA, join us for the Winter GaDOE Teaching and Learning Summit, a collaborative professional learning event designed to empower educators across the region with the latest strategies, resources, and insights aligned to Georgia's educational priorities. The focus will be on instructional best practices, DOE updates, assessment, and student success.

Agency Expo for families and educators to learn about local agencies and area supports for students with disabilities.

The First District Developing Leaders at All Levels Program is designed for any person in a leadership position across your district. Principals, APs, District Office Leaders are encouraged to take part in the timely sessions led each time by Dr. Mark Wilson Richard Smith. Dealing with parents does not always have to be a challenge. Dr. Wilson will share ideas that will help you keep your parents informed, how to have those courageous conversations, and how to deescalate situations that may occur.

Join us in an opportunity for professional learning, collaboration, and resource sharing between behavior support personnel in the First District. Intended Audience: Behavior Specialists, Interventionists, BCBAs, RBTs, PBIS Leads, GNETs Personnel, Counselors, Administrators, and other educators who support behavior in their schools.

Teachers will improve their knowledge of and capacity to implement specially designed instruction in the area of mathematics. This training will improvespecial and general educators' ability to: Utilize resources to effectively collaborate to plan SDI that aligns with Georgia’s new standards and framework. Engage in planning conversations to address the unique needs of students and develop action steps to tackle barriers to successful implementation.

Teachers will improve their knowledge of and capacity to implement specially designed instruction in the area of mathematics. This training will improve special and general educators' ability to: Utilize resources to effectively collaborate to plan SDI that aligns with Georgia’s new standards and framework. Engage in planning conversations to address the unique needs of students and develop action steps to tackle barriers to successful implementation.

Teachers will improve their knowledge of and capacity to implement specially designed instruction in the area of mathematics. This training will improve special educator’s ability to: Utilize resources to effectively collaborate to plan SDI that aligns with Georgia’s new standards and framework. Engage in planning conversations to address the unique needs of students and develop action steps to tackle barriers to successful implementation.

Teachers will improve their knowledge of and capacity to implement specially designed instruction in the area of mathematics. This training will improve special educator’s ability to: Utilize resources to effectively collaborate to plan SDI that aligns with Georgia’s new standards and framework. Engage in planning conversations to address the unique needs of students and develop action steps to tackle barriers to successful implementation.

Day 4 in a 4-day series for pre-ETS providers on high-leverage practices.

Professional learning, collaboration, and resource sharing sessions related to Autism for educators across the First District.

The First District Transition Alliance connects educators, agencies, and resources across our region in order to improve post-school outcomes for students with disabilities.