May 1, 2018-- On Saturday, May 12, 2018, Toms River Regional Schools will host a unique teacher learning experience entitled Jersey Shore SpEdCamp. In following the EdCampNJ tradition, SpEdCamp 2018 will be unlike traditional conferences with paid speakers and a narrow set of subjects. At nearly every EdCamp “unconference” --and there are hundreds across the country --participants drive the conversations.
The district expects to accommodate up to 200 dedicated teachers from across the state. The day will have a special education theme, but still be accessible and meaningful to all educators.
“I am looking forward to an event that will serve as an expansion of our ideas but with the freedom to explore,” said planner and Director of Special Services Joy Forrest. “It’s a great chance to see what other districts are doing and share what works.”
Forrest has been working for months with Special Services supervisors Anna Kasper, Heather Mills, Dr. Helen Rupp, and Kelly Umbac, as well as district educators in other fields, to make this inaugural event a big success.
SpEdCamp continues a districtwide movement towards community partnerships and practitioner-led professional development. According to Superintendent David Healy, “The Board has increasingly invested in its staff and increased training opportunities, many of which now come from peers who are experts in their areas. With greater frequency, we have educators from outside the district attend workshops run by our teachers and administrators, which benefits everyone.”
Planners were able to secure Matt Linder, Board Certified Behavioral Analyst and Executive Vice President of Brett DiNovi & Associates, as keynote speaker to kick off the day. The firm provides services for many of Toms River Regional Schools programs.
Sponsors for the event include Thompson Healthcare and Sports Medicine, BreakoutEDU and Comegno Law Group. Thompson Healthcare professionals will offer free chair massages throughout the day.
Also on hand will be representatives from the Jay and Linda Grunin Center from Ocean County College, SiLas, Educational Based Services (EBS), RWJBarnabas Health, Seashore Pediatric Therapy Center, and other resources for classrooms.
Another EdCamp tradition is that there is no cost to attend. Sponsors cover the few expenses, including breakfast, lunch, and door prizes. The focus is on sharing, learning, and fun, rather than on profit.
“EdCamps are the most personalized opportunity for educators, where they learn practical ideas from one another,” says Supervisor of Educational Technology Tiffany Lucey. “If a session doesn’t meet a participant’s needs, we follow the ‘law of two feet;’ they are free to get up and go to another session that is better suited.”
SpEdCamp will run from 7:30 am until 1:00 pm at Toms River Intermediate South, 1675 Pinewald Road, in Beachwood.
All educators, including pre-service teachers are encouraged to attend. Registration is required. Participants may register by visiting: www.trschools.com/community/spedcamp
FOR MORE INFORMATION
On Jersey Shore SpEdCamp 2018: http:www.trschools.com/community/spedcamp
On EdCamps in general: http://www.edcamp.org and http://www.edcampphilly.org/about/
On Brett DiNovi & Associates: https://brettdassociates.com/our-team/
On Toms River Regional Schools: http://www.trschools.com
For more information on district special education initiatives, contact
Director of Special Education, Joy Forrest at jforrest@trschools.com.