Jan Gubiotti and Beth Sugg

Workshops and About the Presenters

Workshops

Essential Skills for Paraeducators - a full-day training

Paraprofessionals who work closely with students require quality professional development. This 6-hour workshop can be presented in one day, in three 2-hour sessions or offered one topic at a time. It covers the essentials of the paraeducator role and provides opportunities to check for understanding, practice strategies and journal best practices.

Includes handbook! Each participant will receive The Paraeducator Handbook - the Essential Guide which serves as a workbook and reference book that can be personalized with strategies, best practices and ideas. Topics covered in the workshop and handbook include the following:

• Roles and responsibilities
• Communication skills and strategies
• Confidentiality and ethics
• What to ask your supervising teacher
• Instructional Support
• Effective behavior management
• The Special Education process
• Terms and Abbreviations

Audience: Paraeducators who work directly with students

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: One 6-hour session or three 2-hour sessions

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

Contact us for details.

100% Agenda Use

"Thanks for the tips! This will help to encourage students to use all sections of the agenda book."

"The organization strategies will help students at all different levels."

Research shows that agendas are an effective organizational tool...but only if students use them!   100% Agenda Use presents strategies for maximizing agenda use across grade levels and content areas. This workshop comes with a handbook.

• Participants will design an Implementation and Improvement Plan 
• The plan will encourage daily use of the agenda to develop critical life skills of time management and organization
• Teachers will work together to brainstorm strategies to reinforce agenda use
• Participants will identify ways to integrate resource sections of the agenda into daily lessons
• Participants will work with their grade level to develop methods for integration 

Audience: Teachers at all grade levels

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: Can be presented in a two hour session.

Strategies for Student Success - Workshop Series

Includes handbook! This series of workshops is designed to be presented to teachers, paraeducators and parents with accommodations made for the specific audience. These interactive PowerPoint workshops present techniques for immediate use. Participants will have an opportunity to practice and share strategies that will help students develop valuable basic study skills.

Session one: Time Management and Organization

• tips for setting up a study place and schedule
• getting students to set goals
• maintaining a notebook and effective use of the assignment guide
• managing and completing homework

Session two: Test-Taking and Memory

• preparation strategies for essay and objective tests
• test-taking skills
• self-assessment tools
• memory techniques and devices

Session three: Listening and Note-Taking

• listening methods and strategies
• a toolbox of note-taking techniques
• self-assessment tools

Session four: Reports and Research

• research skills and report writing
• using the Internet as a resource
• paraphrasing and note-taking

Includes handbook! Each participant will receive the handbook Strategies for Student Success which includes all of the strategies covered in the workshops and much more. It is an excellent reusable resource that will enhance the workshop experience and lessons.

Audience: Teachers, paraeducators, and parents - grades 4-8

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: Each of the workshops can be presented in a 2 or 3 hour session.

Parent Workshop - A Toolbox of Strategies

Topics covered in this fast-paced, interactive workshop include the following:

• Helping with homework 
• Improving listening skills
• Organization
• Study and test-taking
• Time management
• Research and note taking techniques
• Responsible use of the Internet
• Behavioral responsibility  

Includes handbook! Each participant will receive the handbook Strategies for Student Success which includes all of the strategies covered in the workshops and much more. It is an excellent resource to guide parents as they work to help students become more successful.

Audience: Parents of students in grades 4-8

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: Can be presented in a 2 or 3 hour session          

Paraprofessional Power: Helping Students Become Independent Learners

"The instructors are wonderful and full of information."

"Wonderful suggestions and the book will help me remember and practice them." "It was a job well done. Thank you for the time and energy it took to put this together."

• Managing the teacher/aide relationship
• Helping the students become independent learners
• Becoming an integral part of the educational process
• No Child Left Behind Act directives

Includes handbook! Each participant will receive the handbook Paraprofessional Power. This handbook clearly portrays the role of support staff and offers many strategies that can be used daily with students.

Audience: Pareducators who work directly with students - grades 3-12

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: Can be presented in a 2 or 3 hour session

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

Contact us for details.

Every Day Counts: Skills, Strategies and Materials for Guest Teachers

• Classroom management
• Getting and keeping students on task
• Lesson delivery
• Meeting expectations and responsibilities
• Creating a 'grab bag' of materials

Includes handbook! Each participant will receive the handbook Every Day Counts, a manual for guest teachers containing tips, ideas, strategies, games and behavior management techniques.

Audience: Substitute teachers - experience under 4 years - all grade levels

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: Can be presented in a 2 or 3 hour session

The Heart of the Office

"Good visuals helped me follow along. I especially like the handbook."

"Very engaging presentation." "Information was wonderful. Great workshop!"

• Time management
• Paper and file management
• Keeping track
• Increasing efficiency
• Fostering good working relationships

Includes handbook! Each participant will receive the handbook The Heart of the Office, a collection of strategies including the 80/20 rule, communication, organization, email etiquette, cooperation in the office and more.

Audience: School office personnel

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: Can be presented in a 2 or 3 hour session

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

Contact us for details.

Customer Service - It's All About Attitude

"Without a doubt, the information provided supports district initiatives as well as assists us with reaching our district goals. Thanks for your time, energy, and expertise."

" There were so many scenarios that were covered. It was great!"

"I thought the presenter was excellent."

Does your office have a welcoming and helpful personality?  Do students, teachers, parents, visitors and administrators feel valued?  

Excellent customer service is the hallmark of a business-friendly office.   This program is designed to improve quality service through interactive exercises and classroom sessions.  The three-hour workshop will address the following topics:

• the "director" of first impressions
• public relations- building rapport
• fostering positive working relationships
• the art of cooperative language
• phone and Email finesse
• designing a service plan

Includes handbook! Each participant will receive the handbook The Heart of the Office, a collection of strategies for excellent customer service, the 80/20 rule, communication, organization, Email etiquette, cooperation in the office and more.

Audience: School office personnel

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: 3 hour workshop

The Magic of Motivation for Paraprofessionals

Deb Hoeft, Executive Director of Special Education, Greece Central Schools: "Everyone was so pleased with the professional development you offered!"

"Excellent!"

"Interactive and fun; I love the games."

• A look at the research on motivation
• Developing a philosophy and a plan
• Academic connections and strategies for the classroom
• Goal setting
• Review games

Includes handbook! Each participant will receive the handbook The Magic of Motivation, containing a valuable collection of strategies for motivating students and helping them set and achieve goals.

Audience: Paraeducators who work directly with students

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: Can be presented in a 2 or 3 hour session

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

Contact us for details.

Terrific Tips for Teachers

• Choosing your persona
• Setting up the classroom
• Taming the homework monster
• Preparing for a substitute
• Strategies for student success

Includes handbook! Each participant will receive the handbook Terrific Tips for Teachers which includes all of the strategies covered in the workshops and much more. It is a compilation of best practices from master teachers including getting off to a strong and effective beginning.

Audience: First and second year teachers

Recommendation: maximum 35 participants

Time frame: Can be presented in a 2 or 3 hour session

Jan Gubiotti

Jan holds a B.S. in Education and an M.A. in English and her teaching experience is diverse. She is the founder of a day care center and has worked with preschool children in a Montessori setting. Jan has taught elementary school as well as English and Study Skills at the middle and high school levels. In addition, she has acted as an ELA school district consultant.

Teaching Study Skills and recognizing its importance inspired Jan to develop workshops based on learning strategies. She has developed Power Point presentations specifically designed for teachers, parents and paraprofessionals which have been presented and well-received in various school districts in the Rochester area.

Beth Sugg

Beth holds a B.A. in English and an M.S. in Education. Her experience includes teaching English and Study Skills in middle school and methods classes at the college level. Beth has been a presenter at conferences, including the New York State Middle School Conference. She has been a consultant for school districts in the Rochester area, focusing on aligning curriculum with New York state standards and mandates.

Beth operates from the philosophy that educators should explore new ideas and concepts, but remain committed to teaching students basic skills.

Contact Us for workshop fees, schedules, and special offers.