InspirED Virtual Learning Series
As we continue to watch the COVID-19 pandemic evolve across the world, one thing we know for sure – the 2020-2021 school year will look different—for students, families, teachers, and administrators. Depending on the district, some, most, or even all instruction will be delivered online.
Who It's For
As an organization committed to promoting access and inspiring change for people with disabilities, OCALI and the Ohio Department of Education’s Office for Exceptional Children are partnering to support educators, education professionals, families, and others during this pandemic and in a new, remote learning environment with the creation of – InspirED Virtual Learning Series.
Our vision for this virtual learning series is to fill a need and help educators, administrators, and families find the information and resources they need to support learning and successful outcomes for their students or children during a very unique time of learning.
Educators who support students with disabilities in their continued/newer role as remote learning instructors.
Administrators and other school leaders as they guide and support educators.
Families in their new role as at-home instructors.
How it Works
Initially, the learning series will consist of 15 “Zoomcast” sessions or recorded, facilitated conversations that are approximately 30 minutes each. Over time, additional sessions will be added to the library. All content will be focused on increasing successful engagement of diverse learners in a remote/virtual instructional environment, linking the users with appropriate resources and tools.
Learners will have the ability to earn a professional development certificate by completing a survey at the end of each learning session.
Let's Get Started
This ongoing Zoomcast series is hosted jointly by OCALI Center leads and ODE partners.
Supporting Our Global Community: Multicultural Program for Families of Children and Youth with Disabilities
December 3, 2020 | 4:00pm
During this pandemic, professionals and families are learning, connecting, and lending support in new ways. For families from different ethnic backgrounds, finding the resources and services to support their children with disabilities may be challenging. This session introduces families and professionals to a panel of specialists supporting the needs and strengths of our global community through the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD)’s Multicultural/Multilingual Program. Learn more about resources, information, and tools to support the cultural and educational needs of families with children with disabilities.
Presented by: Jen Bavry, Program Director, Family and Community Outreach Center at OCALI; Marbella Caceres, Statewide Multicultural Director, Multicultural Program at OCECD; Iliana Martinez, Multicultural Program Mid-Ohio Office at OCECD; Ivette Sarkar, Multicultural Program, Northern Ohio Latino Office at OCECD; Najma Mohamoud, Mid-Ohio Somali Office at OCECD
Supporting Positive Behaviors at School and at Home: Strategies to Help Reduce Interfering Behaviors, Part 2 (Emotional and Sensory Regulation When Coping with Change)
December 10, 2020 | 4:00pm
Lifestyle changes related to COVID-19 can lead to emotional dysregulation for people with disabilities, which may contribute to interfering behaviors. Part 2 of Supporting Positive Behaviors at School and Home explores simple antecedent-based interventions for enriching the environment with sensory stimuli and using preferred activities and items to support emotional regulation and sensory needs for youth with disabilities. Learn strategies for coping with changes to routines and schedules.
Presented by: Julie Short, MA, Regional Consultant, Autism Center at OCALI; Denise Sawan Caruso, MA, CCC-SP, Regional Consultant, Autism Center at OCALI; Tessa Martin, Parent and Paraprofessional, Gallia County Board of DD; Kayla Wysocki, Occupational Therapist, Warrensville Heights City School District
Designing Flexible Assessment and Learning Kits for Home and School
December 17, 2020 | 4:00pm
As we continue to navigate learning in a pandemic, it is important to be prepared to transition from face-to-face learning to online learning at a moment’s notice. Discover how one team is designing personalized, flexible learning and assessment kits for learners that can be used at school or home. Learn more about the design process and tips that you can immediately use.
Presented by: Shawna Benson, M. Ed. Program Director - Teaching Diverse Learners Center at OCALI; Kathy Lancing, Intervention Specialist Simon Kenton School
More sessions coming soon!
Check Out Previous Sessions
View InspirED sessions that have already aired, access supplementary materials specific to each topic, and earn professional development credit.
Want More?
If you have participated in one of our InspirED Zoomcasts, we know that you are interested in expanding your knowledge and capacity through online learning. So, we want to be sure that you know about OCALICONLINE, the nation’s premier autism and disabilities conference.
While we usually bring thousands of people together in Columbus, Ohio each year, this year, we’re doing it all virtually! Registration is open now! We invite you to join us November 11-13! Head over to www.ocalicon.org to learn more!
Below we've included some resources from the Special Education Leaders Fellowship that address remote learning and are available to help school leaders on the return to school.
- Learning modules on MTSS and making PD engaging at a distance;
- Re-entry toolkits on engaging related service providers, student-centered staffing, IEP progress monitoring, and collaborative planning; and
- Distance learning webinars to help educators use distance learning tools effectively and efficiently.
Made possible through a partnership between the Ohio Department of Education’s Office for Exceptional Children and OCALI
