Early Childhood Book Study - Building Blocks for Teaching Preschoolers with Special Needs: Third Addition

Thank you for your interest in this book study. This initial pilot offering is full, but if you are interested in this work, please add your name on the waitlist for when we offer it again beginning next semester. If you are part of a team who are participating in this pilot, please email Karen Russell @ karen.russell@cesa2.org and she can add you to your team.

Presenters: Nicole Aldworth & Karen Russell

Cost: Free

Description: The focus of this book study is supporting high quality inclusionary opportunities for all students. We will use the book Building Blocks for Teaching Preschoolers with Special Needs: Third Addition to focus our inclusion work. Teams of regular and special education staff are encouraged to attend together focusing on preschool through 1st grades. Google folders and resources will be used to organize and share resources and graduate credit/continuing education hours are available upon request.

This is a pilot project. You will access the book study itself through the on-line format Schoology and can complete this learning at your own pace. Opportunities to connect through Zoom meetings will deepen knowledge, understanding and support your use of strategies within your own work.

As you work through the book each chapter will take you approximately one hour to complete the reading and activities, with some chapters being shorter and some longer. By completing the online content, you can earn 15 hours of continuing education credit. An additional 15 hours can be offered if you complete the online content and join four zoom connections to deepen the knowledge and apply the work systematically. The dates listed are available for additional work.

By agreeing to be part of the pilot, we can provide you and your team with one free book. Registration will be capped at 20 groups, with each group containing one to 10 people. Please indicate how many are in your group when registering.

About the Presenters:

Karen Russell is the Early Childhood Program Support Teacher at CESA 2. She comes to this position with over 20 years of experience as a teacher working with children and families in a variety of settings as an ECSE teacher within school district programming, an Early Interventionist with Birth to Three Programming, and as a 4K and 5K teacher. Karen holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of early childhood education and special education.

Nicole Aldworth is an Early Childhood Program Support Teacher at CESA 2. She joins CESA 2 with almost 20 years of experience working with young children and their families. Nicole spent most of her career working in the Sun Prairie Area School District and Marshall Public Schools teaching Early Childhood Special Education, 4K, and 5K. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in the field of early childhood education, special education. Providing rich and engaging early literacy opportunities for all children is a passion of hers, along with coaching and support of those working with young children.

Cancellation Policy: Registered participants will receive a refund if they cancel prior to 3 working days before an event, minus any material costs that have already been incurred. Cancellations must either be made on MyQuickReg or by emailing cancel@cesa2.org. Because of our commitment to the presenter and the food vendor, participants who cancel less than 3 working days prior to the event or who do not attend the event, will be billed the full fee. CESA 2 reserves the right to cancel any event. Registered participants will be notified via phone and email if a cancellation occurs and will receive a full refund. 

Inclement Weather Policy: Every effort will be made to hold an event. CESA 2 will notify participants via email as soon as possible if an event has been cancelled due to weather conditions.

Disclaimer: CESA 2 will do its best to accommodate general dietary requests; if your dietary need is very specific or severe, you may want to bring your own lunch to ensure your comfort and health. CESA 2 does not assume liability for adverse reactions to food consumed or items one may come into contact with while eating at a CESA 2 event. If you have a dietary need or food allergy, please go into your MyQuickReg profile and update the special accommodations section. Notice of a special dietary need must be made 2 weeks in advance of the event.

By registering for an event with CESA 2, participants agree to grant to CESA 2 and its authorized representatives permission to record digital photos and/or video, of their participation. Participants further agree that any or all of the material photographed may be used, in any form, as part of any future publications, brochure, or other printed materials used to promote CESA 2, and further that such use shall be without payment of fees, royalties, special credit or other compensation. If you do not wish to have your photo or image used, please contact us at info@cesa2.org.

In-Person Events: Restrictions on our in-person events due to COVID-19 have been lifted. We will be responsive to what's happening within our communities, and guidelines from the CDC and local health agencies for future offerings and will update guidelines when necessary.