Train the Trainer
We love working with our district champion partners to help grow their Professional Development capacity! We believe that training that comes from a local in-district trainer is almost always the best way to approach staff professional development. Local leaders have a much better idea of local needs and contexts, are readily available for continued support regarding ongoing staff needs and are most likely to already have a great rapport with training participants.
ORSN 's Train the Trainer relationships are flexible based on the needs of each region, district or school. Each arrangement includes an initial meeting with ORSN to guide the creation of a scope & sequence and establish the logistics for the year. All District/School Trainers are able to login and access MicroPDs, slide decks, agendas and supporting documents as needed.
Some examples of how Train the Trainer have looked are:
- Light Touch: Trainers have direct access to the ORSN team for technical assistance and evaluation data. ORSN is on-call to help or support their work when needed.
- High Support: ORSN co-leads the first few sessions to lay the foundation for our approach training and demonstrate how we use our materials. After the session, Trainers and ORSN debrief, review evaluation data and plan for the next session. When they are ready, trainers take over and ORSN team remains available for technical assistance and evaluation for the remainder of the school year.
Professional Learning Communities
Some schools and districts do not have the capacity to run ongoing Professional Development for school staff or perhaps an outside host is preferable. If this is the case, ORSN will coordinate with your school leadership to create a schedule to host Virtual or In-Person Professional Learning Communities.
During PLCs, participants meet together for initial learning and then split into breakout groups led by ORSN facilitators for more in-depth discussions. Discussions focus on deeper learning and application of the skills as well as provide support and connection between the professionals.
Our partners have chosen to structure Virtual PLCs in a variety of ways to meet their unique needs. A few examples are:
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District-Wide PLCs (Monthly)
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School Specific PLCs (Bi-Weekly)
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1st & 2nd Years Educational Assistants PLCs (Bi-Weekly)
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Experienced Educational Assistants PLC (Monthly)
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Foundations of Special Education Focused PLC (Monthly)
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Foundations of a Trauma & Healing Informed School PLC (Monthly)
Asynchronous Training and Certificates
Customized Asynchronous Learning
ORSN can also work with your district to create an asynchronous course for your school staff to use in order to maximize on flexibility. Asynchronous MicroPDs incorporate formative assessment questions throughout each module. The ORSN system tracks progress so participants can flexibly engage in learning that fits their schedule and needs.
Substitute Teacher Essentials Certificate Course:
ORSN's Substitute Essentials Certificate Course is designed to give a foundational understanding of the essential functions of a Substitute Teacher including:
- Roles & Responsibilities of Substitutes
- Positive Behavior Support
- Classroom Management
- Relationships
- Supervision
- Trauma Informed School Systems
- Foundational Understanding of Special Education
- Instructional Support Strategies
The course is designed to be completed within one work day and participant progress is saved so they can stop and return to the course anytime. Upon completion, appropriate staff and the participant will be notified, with a certificate of completion.
83% of Substitutes Agree that the course helped increase their educator knowledge and made them feel more prepared to work with students. (12% were neutral)
76% of Substitutes Agree that the course was worth their time. (15% were neutral)
83% of Substitutes Agree that the course was easy to complete. (13% were neutral)
Classified Staff Essentials Certificate Course:
Similar to our Substitute Essentials Certificate Course, the Classified Staff Essentials Certificate Course is geared toward newer Educational Assistants (e.g. paraprofessionals, instructional aides, classroom aides, etc.). Participants will complete the course with an understanding of their unique role in supporting diverse learners and the certified teachers that they will be working with.
The course is designed to be completed within one work day and participant progress is saved so they can stop and return to the course anytime. Upon completion, appropriate staff and the participant will be notified, with a certificate of completion.
Training topics include, but are not limited to:
- Roles and Responsibilities
- Active Supervision
- Supporting Accommodations & Modifications
- Professional Standards and Ethics
- Student Regulation and Co-Regulation
- Staff Wellness
- Positive Relationship Building
- Instructional Strategies