I’m thrilled to announce an exclusive professional development opportunity tailored specifically for Special Education Teachers (SETs) working with students who face Behavioral, Emotional, and Social Difficulties (BESD). This series is designed not only to inform but also to empower you with practical, research-based strategies that can transform your practice and deepen your impact on students' lives.
This unique webinar series stems from the action research I conducted for my Master of Arts in Creative Psychotherapy, titled The Student-Teacher Relationship: A Place of Possibilities. Through this research, I discovered how “attuned connection times” can profoundly enhance relationships between SETs and their students with BESD, supporting children’s emotional well-being and fostering an increased readiness to learn. These insights are specifically geared toward SETs who are dedicated to creating positive and lasting change.
Why This Series is a Must-Attend:
- Research-Driven Content: Rooted in findings from my own study, the series introduces strategies that help SETs build more connected and supportive relationships with BESD students.
- Hands-On Learning: Each session will include actionable techniques, a deep dive into the neurobiological aspects of BESD, and an exploration of the role of play in teaching—giving you tools you can immediately put into practice.
- Empowerment Through Community: Join a cohort of passionate professionals in a supportive learning environment, sharing insights and strategies to amplify your effectiveness as an SET.
Webinar Series Objectives:
- Gain In-Depth Insights: Learn about the complex needs of children with BESD through a neurobiological perspective.
- Build a Safe, Supportive Environment: Adopt a simple framework for nurturing a sense of safety that enhances learning readiness.
- Harness the Power of Play: Discover how play can be a transformative tool for emotional and social growth.
- Informed, Effective Decision-Making: Empower yourself with new knowledge to make impactful planning choices.
- Collaborative Learning: Engage in a professional learning community, exchanging ideas and experiences to deepen your approach.
Webinar Details:
The series includes three live sessions, progressing through essential topics and hands-on applications. Attendance at all sessions is required to ensure a cohesive learning experience.
Cost: €60 per participant (includes a resource pack to support ongoing learning). There will be a maximum of 25 participants per cohort to facilitate an interactive professional learning experience. Invoices can be sent to schools if required. A €10 euro discount per participant will apply for multiple teachers from the same school.
Cohort 2 Schedule: Please note teachers will need to be released from teaching early on the specified dates:
- Webinar 1: Tuesday, 14th January, 2 - 4pm — Understanding the Child with BESD
- Webinar 2: Tuesday, 21st January 2- 4pm — Supporting the Child with BESD
- Implementation Phase: A 4-week period where SETs integrate small but meaningful changes into their practice. Ongoing support will be available during this period for participants.
- Webinar 3: Tuesday, 25th February, 2- 3:30pm — Professional Learning Community (PLC) Discussion and Q&A: ‘Exploring Our Curiosities’. I will ask participants to complete a short reflection each week to feed into this session.
Spaces are strictly limited to maintain an interactive, personalised experience. Early registration is encouraged as spots are expected to fill quickly. A waiting list will be available once capacity is reached.
Thank you for considering this chance to elevate your work with students facing BESD. I look forward to the possibility of learning and growing together with you in this series.
Please email me with any further questions that you might have or ifyou are booking for more than one member of staff (primarylinksie@gmail.com).
Thank you,
Karen Riordan
Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, Play Therapy Specialist, and Special Education Teacher