Specialized Learning Services
Through no fault of their own, educators are often ill-equipped to serve many of our most vulnerable and challenging student populations. We believe that it is the right of all educators to have access to the highest quality of support, for all students to receive a safe, rewarding, and appropriate educational experience, and for caregivers to have the necessary means to support the health and well-being of their families and confidently engage in their communities. Our mission is to foster connection and a sense of well-being in others so that our students, schools, and communities thrive.
Core Services & Member Benefits
- Personalized Professional Development for building local capacity
- College Credit professional learning, including Greenbush University & Greenbush Training Camp
- Workshop attendance at reduced or no cost
- Special Education Administrators Forum
- Unlimited Participation in SLS Social Work Forums, SEL/Behavior Collaboration Forums, School Psychologist Collaboration Forums, Transition Forums, and Early Career Special Education Teacher Forums
- Transition Alliance
*Forums include a series of events which can be registered for and attended individually
Customizable Supports
- SEL Curriculum Implementation Support
- Early Career School Psychologist Cadre
- SIT/GEI Process support
- Individual Student Consultation and Problem Solving (Project Stay)
- Programming and Support for Low-Incidence Disabilities
- Behavior Collaboration Cadre
- Transition and Indicator 13 Support
- Instructional Strategies for Improving Classroom Management
- IEP Quality and Compliance Review/Support
- Social Skills Training Support
- Trauma and Resilience Training and Support
- Staff Wellness and Mindfulness Support
- Creating an Inclusive and Positive School Culture
- Collaborative Problem Solving
- Special Education Support and Personnel Cadre
- Accommodations and Differentiation in the Classroom Support
- Alternative School Policy/Plans/Implementation Support
- Linkage/Liaison to Community Agency
- Crisis and De-escalation Interventions and Problem-Solving
- Teaching for Gen. Ed and SPED Collaboration Support
*Cadres are year-long professional learning opportunities that require commitment to attendance and participation
Specialized Learning Services offers customized professional development opportunities tailored to meet the unique needs of your organization. Whether your district/cooperative needs targeted training for a small group of staff working with individual students or district-wide training, our team can support your professional learning needs. Our team appreciates the varying challenges presented to all staff, from district-level administration to paraprofessionals, as they educate students with diverse learning needs. We are here to educate, train, and support you in this endeavor.
Cadres
Behavior & Social-Emotional Learning Cadre
with Jennifer Taylor
This cadre has been designed to equip leaders in the field with the skills to coach and support educators working with students exhibiting challenging behavior through brain-aligned, proactive, and equitable approaches. All are invited to attend, but content has been developed specifically for counselors, social workers, behavior coaches/specialists, building level administrators, and special education teachers.
Early Career School Psychologist Cadre
with Tommie Gonsalez
This cadre is a year-long networking experience for practitioners to gain knowledge and skills, and have access to the support necessary to manage the first years working as a school psychologist. Participants will have access to enriching professional development along relevant-to-the-field collaboration regarding best practices, and real world (school) implications of service provision.
SPED Support Personnel Cadre
with Heather Berckefeldt
This cadre is a year-long professional development opportunity specifically tailored for your Taps, Mentors, Instructional Coaches, Coordinators, Deans, & Teacher Leaders centered around the foundations of special education and how to support, coach, and mentor SPED staff. It is our intention to empower these professionals by arming them with resources, training and support that move their practice and professional development forward.
Forums
Behavior Collaboration Forum – Virtual
with
During these monthly meetings we connect and collaborate with educators focused on Social Emotional Learning and behavior. Join us each month as we discuss, question, challenge, and learn from each other.
Early Career Special Education Teacher Forum
with Heather Berckefeldt
This forum is designed to arm Early Career SPED Teachers with the knowledge, skills, and support necessary to manage the first years working as a SPED Teacher. Our leaders are well-versed in the leadership and coaching strategies necessary to introduce early career teachers to the world of special education.
School Psychologist Forum – Virtual
with Tommie Gonsalez
This virtual forum will be a space for practitioners, practicum students, and interns to come together and collaborate, share resources, ask questions, and learn from each other. We will discuss relevant-to-the-field topics, best practices, and real world (school) implications of service provision
Social Work Forum
with Craig Hidy
Social Work Forums give school Social Workers an opportunity to network, engage, and collaborate with others from across Kansas to establish a collective voice in defining best practices in schools.
Serving Districts Throughout Kansas
Membership Benefits
As a Specialized Learning Services consortium member, all of your staff have access to many additional learning opportunities at no additional cost.
Review Needs and Current Goals
-Meet with an SLS Consultant or the SLS Director to review district and/or building needs and goals
-Review SLS options related to specific needs and goals
Determine, Select and Schedule Supports
-Select customizable SLS professional development, coaching, and consultation options
-Provide specific details for support delivery
-Consider utilizing our SLS Planning Guide to drive your planning and service choice
Reflect and Review
Utilize check-ins to review current supports and make adjustments
Expand your Knowledge
Consortium members at all levels are eligible to attend our regional workshops at discounted rates.
-Student consultation, coaching, and video conferencing credited toward the balance on an hourly basis.
-Teletherapy services are credited toward the balance on a half-hour basis.
-On-site professional development services credited toward balance in increments of half-and full-day.
Specialized Learning Services Programs
Specialized Staff
| Heather Berckefeldt Director of Specialized Learning Services | 785.608.0903 heather.berckefeldt@greenbush.org |
| Melanie Gabel Administrative Assistant | 785.690.7081 melanie.gabel@greenbush.org |
| Tommie Gonsalez Education Behavioral Consultant | 785.862.7840 tommie.gonsalez@greenbush.org |
| Lindsay McKanna Education Behavioral Consultant | 913.205.5176 lindsay.mckanna@greenbush.org |
| Jennifer Taylor Education Behavioral Consultant | 785.862.7840 jennifer.taylor@greenbush.org |
| Nikki Heiman Project Director – Educate Kansas | 785.547.5936 nikki.heiman@greenbush.org |