Professional Development Helps Everyone

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Professional Development Helps Everyone

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One of the priorities of Mrs. Emily Ingistov, Westchester Lutheran School’s principal, is for the teachers to have a deeper understanding of the challenges students face. Sharing information, giving presentations, and talking about learning challenges all decrease stigmas that are often associated with children who have a learning need. Professional Development workshops and presentations keep teachers up-to-date and properly informed of the many ways that they can help their students.

Since starting at Westchester in the Fall, LSEM teacher Ms. Michelle Parreno has been able to present several Professional Development presentations to the teaching staff at her school. Her first presentation was an overview of Special Education and the services it offers. The presentation was well received by the staff and principal at her school. Some of the teachers approached Ms. Parreno to ask more about her presentations, seeking more “individualized” advice and strategies; some to share their own related experiences; and some to express gratitude too.

The principal then asked her to give another Professional Development presentation on ADHD. During that presentation, she did two simulation activities with the teachers during my presentation about ADHD.  After, a teacher approached her and said that it is good to be reminded on useful strategies to help kids with challenges.  Another teacher shared that she understands more why other students need to have resource time and/or one-to-one attention. Ms. Parreno enjoys working with the staff, and providing them with information on all aspects of special education as well as providing special education services to the students at her school.

Apart from giving professional development seminars with teachers at Westchester Lutheran School, Ms. Parreno is also an Instructress at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, where (for this semester) she teaches “Language & Communication in Early Childhood” under their Beginning Teacher Program