Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/135412
ESP Conference "This is the best workshop I've ever taken" Approximately 55 people attended DSEA's annual ESP Conference, "A Professional Day of Learning" If you have any suggestions for workshops for next year's ESP Conference, feel free to contact any member of this year's Planning Committee: SP members get tired of going to meetings and programs that really are just for teachers, which is why ESP leaders put together a day just for them: school secretaries, food service workers, paraprofessionals, custodians and bus drivers – the people who are called ESP or Educational Support Professionals in the world of the Association. The sessions are chosen based on evaluations from the prior year and an electronic survey emailed this spring to all ESP members for whom we have email addresses. Held at the Dover Terry Campus of Del Tech in April, the conference featured four 3-hour, in-depth sessions, among which one could take one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Participants chose from: Karen Crouse, DSEA vice president, financial secretary at Lake Forest High School E Working with Children with Autism and Other Disabilities presented by Michelle Flanders and Jalee Pernol of the Capital School District Using Technology in the Schools presented by DSEA UniServ Director Laura Rowe Safety in Schools presented by Brian Moore, Safety Resource officer for the Red Clay School District Special Education 101: IEP's, Collecting Data and Behavior Plans presented by Laura DePippo and Jamie Caruso of the Colonial School District "The best workshop ever taken" was the assessment of a participant in Brian Moore's session on School Safety. Participants loved his sense of humor, and more than one want him back again, or in their buildings, twice a semester! "Using technology in our www.dsea.org Mike Hoffmann, NEA director, paraprofessional at Southern E.S. in Colonial Patti Reid, paraprofessional at the Kent County Community School, Capital Kim Bates, paraprofessional at the Leach School in Colonial Roxana Alexander, paraprofessional, George Read Middle School, Colonial Julie Harrington, paraprofessional at the Alfred G. Waters M.S. in Appoquinimink, and part-time DSEA UniServ director Laura Rowe, DSEA UniServ director Debbie Stevens, DSEA dir. of instructional advocacy (Deborah.Stevens@dsea.org) Schools," presented by DSEA's Laura Rowe, was "very informative, with clear information, tailored to us – with all of our different abilities! Thanks." Suggestions about future computer workshops included specific Microsoft programs, as well as how to use Smart Boards. The Autism workshop, presented by Michelle Flanders and Jalee Pernol of Capital, was praised as engaging, with information that was understandable. People loved the videos, stories, energy of the presenters, open conversations and small group work, as well as reallife applications of the information presented. Laura DePippo and Jamie Caruso's Special Education 101 is always a hit because paras have a chance to ask questions about their students and how federal and state laws around collecting data, IEPs and Behavior Plans apply to them. How to be more aware of your surroundings at school, including seeing signs of gangs, was a big topic of "Safety in Our Schools," above. And the Del Tech campus allowed for a hands-on session about "Using Computers in our Schools," attended by both secretaries and paraprofessionals. "Presenters were excellent – the game was great!" several said. And many talked about having a clearer understanding of the laws and regulations around Special Education. They also loved the enthusiasm of the presenters, and the chocolate! ESP are Extra Special People May/June 2013 DSEA ACTION! 11