PODD Trainings

If you are interested in learning more about the PODD communication system, developed by Linda Burkhart and Gayle Porter, and happen to be near Maryland this July.  I would suggest checking out the following opportunity to be trained by the creators!

There is Still Time! There are still spaces available for all three July PODD trainings in Maryland. Don't miss this rare opportunity to learn from Gayle Porter, the designer and creator of PODD Communication Books from Melbourne, Australia. Courses will be co-taught by Gayle Porter and Linda J. Burkhart.  Registration had been extended until all seats are full!!

1. Three day introductory PODD training. This one is for new people and is similar to the two day PODD trainings, but in a little more depth. (July 23 -25, 2012) 

2. Five day Advanced PODD training. This will only be open to people who have already attended a 2 or 3 day PODD training in the past and have been trying to implement PODD with children. (July 16-20, 2012) 

3. As part of the 5 day training, there will be a one day partner training, mostly for local people in Maryland who just need to know how to implement PODD, but don’t need to know how to customize and select PODD books. (July 19) 

Information is listed on the first page of Linda Burkhart's website:  http://www.lburkhart.com/

Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display - PODD Communication Books (Official Three-Day Introductory Course)Presented by Gayle Porter (Melbourne, Australia) and Linda Burkhart July 23,24, & 25, 2012Linthicum, Maryland - Click for more info

Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display - PODD Communication Books (Official Five Day Advanced Course)Presented by Gayle Porter (Melbourne, Australia) and Linda Burkhart July 16-20, 2012 Linthicum, Maryland - Click for more info

Communication Partner Training for Using PODD Books (One Day Workshop)Presented by Gayle Porter (Melbourne, Australia) and Linda Burkhart July 19, 2012Linthicum, Maryland - Click for more info

Patrick

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Experience...

So I've been lazy lately. I've fallen behind on blog posts, I've not planned for next year, I've done only a little for preparing my presentation for ATIA Chicago, and I have no excuse. But that got me thinking about other summer's I've had.

As I've stated before this will be my 10th year of teaching coming up. I've taught many different students, from Kindergarten all the way up to 8th grade, as well as many different disabilities, and every summer I spent a lot of time preparing for the next year! I've created materials, I've colored folders, I've made tons and tons of pictures on Boardmaker, and I've done it all summer. Every summer, except this one... I remember back to my first classroom, and I think of coming home every night getting materials ready for the next day. Struggling to have lesson plans done each week, and and setting up my classroom. I must have changed the room around about 10 times that year (and I was teaching kids with autism so I'm not sure that was the best idea), and literally spent every spare moment getting ready for the next lesson.

So what's different? I'm not exactly sure, I just feel comfortable and ready for next year without having to spend too much time getting ready. That's not to say I'm not learning a ton this summer and getting ready to try all sorts of new stuff next year, but I'm not stressed and feeling overwhelmed. Maybe it has to do with mastering behavior management skills, or not having to learn a new curriculum, but it's a different feeling this summer. And it took me almost 10 years to get here!

So, that got me thinking, are we doing new teachers a disservice by dropping them into a classroom with such little training? What about students, are we holding them back? What are your thoughts?

Patrick

Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons: Vikingg



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