Robin Kotok

Workshops and About the Presenter

Workshops

Effective Communication Skills for Teachers: Building a Teacher-Parent Partnership

"It was informative as well as fun. The activities were great!"

Through discussion and interactive activities, participants will learn how to conduct positive and productive parent conferences by

• structuring conferences for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

• imparting information professionally and concisely.

• learning  how teacher attitudes and behaviors can be used to facilitate communication.

• practicing specific verbal techniques which promote open communication.

• setting goals and developing a cooperative action plan to achieve those goals.
  

Audience: Grade 5-12 teachers, administrators

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: 2 hours

Making Parent-Teacher Conferences Work for Your Child

Through interactive activities, discussion and mini-lectures, parents will learn

• to build a partnership with the teacher that will benefit their child.

• how their attitudes and behavior impact the conferencing process.

• techniques for communicating effectively with teachers.

• to develop and implement a parent-teacher-student action plan which will meet their child’s needs.

Audience: Parents of students at every grade level

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: 1 and 1/2 hours

The Effective Paraprofessional: Communicating and Relating for Success

In order to maximize their contribution to the school program, paraprofessionals must work to establish good rapport and regular communication with colleagues and supervisors. 

The workshop which uses a PowerPoint presentation and interactive activities introduces participants to skills that enhance communication and foster positive relationships. It also gives them an opportunity to practice these skills in a small group setting.

The workshop will focus on the following:

• the role of attitude
• the power of asking
• clear and complete explanation and expression
• verbal acknowledgment of and respect for others
• understanding anger and reducing conflict
• the art of listening
• barriers to communication
• surefire  behaviors and communication tips

Audience:  Paraprofessionals

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame:  2 Hours

What Paraprofessionals Need to Know: Legal and Ethical Considerations: 

" This is the best inservice we have ever had!"

As laws become more complex and the field of paraeducation grows and becomes more professional, it is increasingly important that paraeducators understand both the laws that impact them and the ethical standards to which they are being held.  Paraeducators face ethical and legal issues on a daily basis and need to know how to handle these issues effectively in order to maximize job performance and comply with the law.  

Through lecture, discussion and interactive activities participants will:        

• Gain a basic understanding of the laws which apply to them in their work environment         
• Learn to identify what kinds of information are confidential and when and with whom such information can be shared         
• Analyze and discuss generally agreed upon behaviors that constitute suggested ethical guidelines for paraprofessionals         
• Examine common real world ethical situations and propose appropriate courses of action to be taken in each instance 

Audience: Paraprofessionals

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: 1.5 hours

Raising Competent and Confident Kids: A Guide for Parents

Includes handbook! Parenting is more challenging than ever in the 21st century and parents often do not know where to turn for help.  Through lecture, discussion, and interactive activities, parents will gain practical strategies which will assist them in enhancing their parenting skills.  Parents will learn:

• How their attitudes, values and behavior impact their children
• Easy to implement communication techniques for improving the parent-child relationship
• Simple techniques to facilitate effective discipline
• How to avoid “overparenting” by fostering responsibility and independence in their children

Audience: Parents - every grade level

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time Frame: 2 hours. The time can be adjusted to meet your specific needs.

LEARN offers this workshop in a downloadable format so you can present using your trainer at your site!

Contact us for details.

Cyber Smart Parents  -  Cyber Safe Kids

Parents can keep their children safe by educating themselves about the Internet.  This program provides parents with an overview of the kinds of activities children participate in online.  Participants will identify the benefits as well as the dangers of each activity, and take away practical suggestions  to ensure their children remain safe in cyberspace.

Topics include:

• Communication:  Email, instant messaging, social networking, and chat rooms
• Cyberbullying and sexting
• Web surfing, downloading and file sharing
• Gaming
• Parental Controls

Audience: Parents - every grade level

Time Frame: 1.5 Hours

Robin Kotok

Robin Kotok Ed.M., received her Masters degree in counseling from the University of Rochester and has been a teacher and counselor for over 25 years. She trained with and worked for Jack Canfield, author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books and is a certified self-esteem facilitator. Robin also trained with Dr. Sidney B. Simon, a pioneer in the values field and is a Certified Realization Trainer. She has worked with the Mental Health Association of Rochester, NY, and is past chair of the Self-Esteem Project. Robin has also been an adjunct faculty member at Nazareth College of Rochester, NY. For eight years she was co-editor of The Bridge, a monthly newsletter on values and self-esteem. She authored the article, "Letting Truth into Our Lives", published in The Journal of Personal Transformation. She has received several awards including selection to Who's Who Among American Educators, Who's Who Among Professionals, and Who's Who Among Entrepreneurs, as well as a community service award from the Mental Health Association of Rochester. Since 1991, Robin has conducted workshops in the Rochester area for schools, area organizations and the general public on topics including parenting, self-esteem, values, anger management, forgiveness, and self care. Currently, she is in private practice in Perinton, NY, working with adolescents.

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