Professional Development Events

This is a 6-hour class on behavioral threat assessment and management. For endorsement eligibility register here: https://training.gema.ga.gov/TRS/courseDesc.do?sourcePage=courseSearch&cofId=68912

This training is designed to equip school and district administrators with a comprehensive understanding of the Counselor Keys Effectiveness System (CKES), Georgia’s evaluation tool for professional school counselors. Participants will learn how to effectively observe, support, and evaluate counselors using the CKES standards and rubrics. The course will cover key components of the framework, evidence collection strategies, and how to provide meaningful feedback to promote counselor growth and student success. This session is essential for administrators responsible for the supervision and evaluation of school counselors.

PBIS Overview for Emanuel County Staff with an aligned lens in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS)

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.

This training is designed to equip school and district administrators with a comprehensive understanding of the Counselor Keys Effectiveness System (CKES), Georgia’s evaluation tool for professional school counselors. Participants will learn how to effectively observe, support, and evaluate counselors using the CKES standards and rubrics. The course will cover key components of the framework, evidence collection strategies, and how to provide meaningful feedback to promote counselor growth and student success. This session is essential for administrators responsible for the supervision and evaluation of school counselors.

This training is designed to equip school and district administrators with a comprehensive understanding of the Counselor Keys Effectiveness System (CKES), Georgia’s evaluation tool for professional school counselors. Participants will learn how to effectively observe, support, and evaluate counselors using the CKES standards and rubrics. The course will cover key components of the framework, evidence collection strategies, and how to provide meaningful feedback to promote counselor growth and student success. This session is essential for administrators responsible for the supervision and evaluation of school counselors.

Training for Administrators that serve GaTAPP Candidates.

This training is designed to equip school and district administrators with a comprehensive understanding of the Counselor Keys Effectiveness System (CKES), Georgia’s evaluation tool for professional school counselors. Participants will learn how to effectively observe, support, and evaluate counselors using the CKES standards and rubrics. The course will cover key components of the framework, evidence collection strategies, and how to provide meaningful feedback to promote counselor growth and student success. This session is essential for administrators responsible for the supervision and evaluation of school counselors.

Training for Mentors who serve GaTAPP Candidates

This workshop is appropriate for all grade levels, and will cover a wide variety of strategies using examples of all levels. This seminar will equip participants with strategies to use to teach and motivate students to be respectful and exhibit appropriate behavior. Join the "Behavior Queen" learning real interventions that work!

Training for Administrators that serve GaTAPP Candidates

Training for Mentors that serve GaTAPP Candidates

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.

Topics: Literacy lessons and updates, math resources, tech tips, whole child support. Well also break up into job-alikes to discuss challenges and problem solving. Target audience: Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Directors and Lead Teachers

Are you in charge of MTSS, PBIS, or Wellbeing at your school or in your district? If so, join us to learn procedures, best practices, and tips to help you and your team survive and thrive during your first year!

Monthly Collaborative Community meeting for special education directors in District 14.

Are you a new teacher eager to build confidence with Georgia’s updated K–12 English Language Arts Standards? This interactive session is designed specifically for K–12 educators in their first years of teaching, offering the guidance and tools you need to start the school year strong. During this session, you’ll learn how to navigate Inspire, Georgia’s digital platform for accessing ELA standards and instructional resources. You’ll explore how to locate your grade-level standards, find classroom-ready materials, and begin planning with clarity and purpose. You’ll also dive into Scarboroughs Reading Rope, a powerful model that shows how multiple strands like vocabulary, background knowledge, and word recognition work together to build skilled readers. Then, through guided collaboration, youll develop the skills to analyze standards by exploring and connecting the various big ideas within the Text Domain, gaining a clearer understanding of how they interrelate to define what students should know and be able to do. Whether you teach kindergarten or high school, this session will support you in understanding the big picture while giving you practical strategies you can use right away. And yes — there will be literacy goodies and chances to win fun prizes! Youll leave with practical tools and resources to support your teaching journey from day one. Come ready to dig in, collaborate, and grow with us! **For teachers of grades 6–12: Please bring a novel or book you plan to use in your English Language Arts class that aligns with one of the new standards you’ll be teaching. This text will be used as part of the learning session to help connect the standards work to your real classroom practice.

This meeting will focus on Assistive Technology to support students with disabilities in Mathematics.

This session aims to increase school teams' understanding of FTE and provide tips to maximize your FTE funding with strategic coding strategies. The intended audience is Special Education leaders and SIS personnel who oversee the FTE process.

This training provides educators and administrators with a process to conduct effective Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs), ensuring legal compliance and equitable support for students with disabilities. Participants will work through case studies and scenarios to align with current policies and procedures.

GaTAPP Saturday Seminar

This session aims to increase school teams' understanding of FTE and provides tips to maximize your FTE funding with strategic coding strategies. The intended audience is Special Education leaders and SIS personnel who oversee the FTE process.

Educators often play a critical role in the lives of children beyond the classroom. They can be an outlet, a source of support and help when kids really need it. This is especially true for children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges. But for teachers, coaches and administrators to be effective, they need the skills that Youth Mental Health First Aid offers.

Educators often play a critical role in the lives of children beyond the classroom. They can be an outlet, a source of support and help when kids really need it. This is especially true for children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges. But for teachers, coaches and administrators to be effective, they need the skills that Youth Mental Health First Aid offers.

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.

First District RESA is pleased to host representatives from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE). This session is designed for administrators, ESOL coordinators and teachers, math educators, and instructional coaches to explore strategies for supporting multilingual learners in math classrooms using language scaffolds aligned with the WIDA framework and current math standards. This session provides a unique opportunity for educators in various roles to align their efforts and strengthen support for multilingual learners in mathematics. What to Expect: ✅ Foundational Concepts of Academic Language • Explore WIDA's framework for academic language • Understand language development in the context of math ✅ Quick Overview of Math Standards • See how current math standards guide instruction • Identify language demands in math tasks ✅ Bringing It All Together • Engage in planning strategies that integrate scaffolds seamlessly • Walk away with tools to support students across grade levels *Lunch is on your own-feel free to bring lunch or visit one of the nearby dining options.

Educators often play a critical role in the lives of children beyond the classroom. They can be an outlet, a source of support and help when kids really need it. This is especially true for children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges. But for teachers, coaches and administrators to be effective, they need the skills that Youth Mental Health First Aid offers.

First District RESA is pleased to host representatives from the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE). This session is designed for administrators, ESOL coordinators and teachers, math educators, and instructional coaches to explore strategies for supporting multilingual learners in math classrooms using language scaffolds aligned with the WIDA framework and current math standards. This session provides a unique opportunity for educators in various roles to align their efforts and strengthen support for multilingual learners in mathematics. What to Expect: ✅ Foundational Concepts of Academic Language • Explore WIDA's framework for academic language • Understand language development in the context of math ✅ Quick Overview of Math Standards • See how current math standards guide instruction • Identify language demands in math tasks ✅ Bringing It All Together • Engage in planning strategies that integrate scaffolds seamlessly • Walk away with tools to support students across grade levels **Lunch is on your own-feel free to bring lunch or visit one of the nearby dining options.

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 interactive training equips educators with practical tools and strategies to foster a positive school climate through restorative practices and effective de-escalation techniques. Participants will explore relationship-centered approaches to discipline, learn how to facilitate restorative conversations, and develop skills to recognize and respond to escalating behaviors calmly and constructively. The training emphasizes proactive, trauma-informed methods to build trust, repair harm, and support student regulation—creating a safer learning environment for all. Teachers and principals make a tremendous impact on the lives of students. With such an impact, it is critical schools cultivate an environment where students, teachers, and administrators can reach their fullest potential. Implementing the Restorative Discipline model can facilitate such potential. RD works to help schools foster positive relationships and build a caring school community that supports even the most at-risk students. National Trainer, Dr. Summer Pannell will lead the course.

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.

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. 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.

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

The Library Collective: Curators of Creativity - First District RESA's School Librarian Learning Community Brushstrokes of Knowledge: Creating Masterpieces of Learning School libraries are the heART of the school and within these magical places, school librarians create inspiring spaces and curate experiences that spark curiosity! 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.

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.

This training provides educators and administrators with a process to conduct effective Manifestation Determination Reviews (MDRs), ensuring legal compliance and equitable support for students with disabilities. Participants will work through case studies and scenarios to align with current policies and procedures.

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 other great leaders from across First District. This session deals with creating time in classrooms as a priority. Dr. Wilson will lead discussion around how to make this happen, pitfalls to avoid, and creating priorities to look for while you are there.

GaTAPP Saturday Seminar

Join an interactive session with the GaDOE science team, focusing on the practical application of 3-dimensional science teaching and learning. Learn to implement rigorous, relevant standards-based instruction aligned with the Biology Georgia Standards of Excellence. During this session, we will plan for instruction by examining biology standards to boost student achievement. Explore resources that you can take back and implement in your classroom.

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

Join an interactive session with the GaDOE science team, focusing on the practical application of 3-dimensional science teaching and learning. Learn to implement rigorous, relevant standards-based instruction aligned with the Biology Georgia Standards of Excellence. During this session, we will plan for instruction by examining biology standards to boost student achievement. Explore resources that you can take back and implement in your classroom.

Teachers will gain knowledge, strategies, and tools to support their students with disabilities to become more independent and successful learners in the classroom. This training equips teachers to: Prioritize behavior, social, and EF skills that are impeding successful participation and progress. Align specific EBP with individual needs Develop methods for tracking student progress and adjusting instruction to ensure continued growth

Teachers will gain knowledge, strategies, and tools to support their students with disabilities to become more independent and successful learners in the classroom. This training equips teachers to: Prioritize behavior, social, and EF skills that are impeding successful participation and progress. Align specific EBP with individual needs Develop methods for tracking student progress and adjusting instruction to ensure continued growth

This interactive training equips educators with practical tools and strategies to foster a positive school climate through restorative practices and effective de-escalation techniques. Participants will explore relationship-centered approaches to discipline, learn how to facilitate restorative conversations, and develop skills to recognize and respond to escalating behaviors calmly and constructively. The training emphasizes proactive, trauma-informed methods to build trust, repair harm, and support student regulation—creating a safer learning environment for all. Teachers and principals make a tremendous impact on the lives of students. With such an impact, it is critical schools cultivate an environment where students, teachers, and administrators can reach their fullest potential. Implementing the Restorative Discipline model can facilitate such potential. RD works to help schools foster positive relationships and build a caring school community that supports even the most at-risk students. National Trainer, Dr. Summer Pannell will lead the course.

Introduction to AAC, best practices for selecting and introducing AAC, initiating and documenting AAC in the IEP. The session will feature a hands-on AAC lab.

Teachers will gain knowledge, strategies, and tools to support their students with disabilities to become more independent and successful learners in the classroom. This training equips teachers to: Prioritize behavior, social, and EF skills that are impeding successful participation and progress. Align specific EBP with individual needs Develop methods for tracking student progress and adjusting instruction to ensure continued growth

Teachers will gain knowledge, strategies, and tools to support their students with disabilities to become more independent and successful learners in the classroom. This training equips teachers to: Prioritize behavior, social, and EF skills that are impeding successful participation and progress. Align specific EBP with individual needs Develop methods for tracking student progress and adjusting instruction to ensure continued growth

Day 2 in a 4-day series for pre-ETS providers on high-leverage practices.

Topics: Literacy lessons and updates, math resources, tech tips, whole child support. Well also break up into job-alikes to discuss challenges and problem solving. Target audience: Instructional Coaches, Curriculum Directors and Lead Teachers

GaTAPP Saturday Seminar

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.

Educators often play a critical role in the lives of children beyond the classroom. They can be an outlet, a source of support and help when kids really need it. This is especially true for children and adolescents experiencing mental health challenges. But for teachers, coaches and administrators to be effective, they need the skills that Youth Mental Health First Aid offers. This is a regional event, open to districts!

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. This session addresses working with your staff and getting the most out of your team. Dr. Wilson will discuss how to motivate your staff and build buy-in for your mission!

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.

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.

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/RTI Coordinators to have an opportunity to learn and collaborate on needs of the Whole Child.

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 educator’s 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 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.

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.

GaTAPP Saturday Seminar