Prosper Connects 26: Your Ultimate Professional Learning Adventure! Get Ready for the most incredible day of learning in Prosper ISD! July 30th at Walnut Grove High School | Over 300 Sessions Await!
Calling all educators! Prepare for a day packed with inspiration, innovation, and incredible learning opportunities. From the electrifying drumline welcome to the delicious indoor lunch options from the Walnut Grove cafeteria serving up a variety of food, this isn’t just another professional development day – it’s a celebration of education! ✨ Highlights:
👕Attire: Favorite Team Jersey, jeans, and comfortable shoes
🚍Grab the Shuttle from Rock Hill HS (16061 N Coit Rd, Frisco, TX 750) for easy parking (runs every 20 min)
🥁 Epic Drumline Kick-Off
☕Breakfast Options: Union Coffee and Baked Goods & Sonic
🌮 INSIDE Lunch options provided by Aramark and Hardy’s Cafe: Union Coffee, Cane’s, Chick-fil-A, Jimmy John’s, Sonic, Pizza Hut, Greens & Grains, Sushi, Taco Line, & Hardy’s Cafe
🧠 GT Credit Sessions Available (sessions that are orange = GT)
This session is designed to streamline the evaluation process by ensuring all district diagnosticians have a clear understanding of the tools available, the protocols for their use, and the logistical support system in place. Participants will receive an updated Assessment Battery Master List, detailing every tool currently owned by the district across cognitive, achievement, processing, and adaptive behavior domains. We will move beyond a simple list to discuss "Best Use Cases" for specific populations (e.g., EL students, low-incidence disabilities) and provide information related to where to access assessment tools/resources/platforms. The session concludes with a "Who’s Who" directory of technical and assessment battery support, ensuring no diagnostician is left troubleshooting in a vacuum.
Kristy has over 20 years of experience in education through the roles as a special education teacher, general education teacher, reading and math interventionist, ESL specialist and educational diagnostician. I have served in Prosper ISD as a diagnostician since 2019.
This course focuses on implementing intentional, structured academic instruction within a behavior and social-emotional support classroom based on the Modified Workshop Model. Participants will explore what effective instruction should look like in these settings, including embedding academic learning within behavior supports, maintaining high expectations, and creating predictable, engaging learning environments for students with diverse needs. The course also emphasizes the importance of collaboration with general education teachers to ensure alignment of curriculum, accommodations, and student goals. Participants will be introduced to strategies for co-planning, communication, and supporting students in accessing grade-level content while addressing social-emotional and behavioral needs.
This professional development session is grounded primarily in The Art of Coaching Teams by Elena Aguilar, which emphasizes psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and coaching stances as essential conditions for productive team conflict. It also integrates research-informed strategies from Crucial Conversations, Dare to Lead, and Nonviolent Communication to support high-stakes dialogue, vulnerability-based leadership, and needs-centered communication. The session translates these frameworks into practical tools such as structured coaching questions, conflict analysis protocols, and facilitated role-play grounded in adult learning theory. In implementation, leaders have demonstrated increased confidence addressing conflict directly, improved clarity in team agreements, and stronger psychological safety within their teams.
This session will explore the benefits and challenges of working in a centralized classroom with a team. Whether its creating a master schedule for students and paraprofessionals, utilizing the modified workshop model to deliver instruction or trying out a new student activity, in Special Education its all teamwork. This course will share tips, resources and ideas that can help promote a harmonious environment in the classroom.
This session focuses on building educators’ capacity to effectively read and interpret a Full Individual Evaluation (FIE) with an emphasis on identifying and leveraging student strengths. Participants will learn how to move beyond scores to understand patterns in cognitive, academic, and behavioral data, and how these strengths can be used to inform and prioritize targeted instructional strategies. The session will support educators in making data-driven decisions that align evaluation findings with practical classroom supports to enhance student outcomes.
With more than 25 years in education, I have had the opportunity to serve students in a variety of roles, including general education teacher, special education teacher, and currently as an Educational Diagnostician. Throughout my career, I have been passionate about helping students... Read More →
Build a strong foundation with Unique Learning System by learning how to navigate the platform and use its core components for daily instruction. This session will walk teachers through setting up student dashboards to support access, understanding the structure of ULS lessons, and selecting appropriate materials and levels. Teachers will also learn how to align ULS instruction to student IEP goals so instruction remains purposeful and student-centered. Teachers will leave with practical strategies for using ULS in a way that is purposeful, manageable, and aligned to their classroom routines.
This training aims to equip educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and effectively support students who exhibit internalized behaviors stemming from past trauma. By understanding the root causes of these behaviors and implementing trauma-informed approaches, educators can create a safe and supportive learning environment conducive to the social and emotional well-being of all students.
This professional development session is designed to help special education paraprofessionals build a clear and practical understanding of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and their critical role in supporting it. Participants will explore key components of an IEP—including goals, accommodations, modifications, and service delivery—and learn how these elements translate into daily classroom practices. The session will emphasize how paraprofessionals can effectively support student learning, collaborate with teachers and service providers, and maintain compliance while fostering student independence. Through real-life examples and interactive discussion, paraprofessionals will leave with actionable strategies to confidently implement IEP supports and better advocate for student needs.
Equipping users with the skills to design tailored reports within Embrace! Participants will learn how to transform Special Education data, for their campus and/or caseload into a useful format, enabling more informed decision making and improved efficiency. Depending on your role and which session you are able to attend, we will create reports related to State Assessments/Accommodations, IEP & FIE Due Dates, Student Service & Placement, Progress Reports and more.
This session is designed for special education teachers in centralized programs who support nonverbal autistic students in grades K–12. We will explore how to transform ULS SymbolStix visuals into powerful tools for authentic communication and writing. Participants will learn how to guide students in cutting, sequencing, and assembling symbols to build sentences that turn into real letters with real purpose. From holiday greetings to messages about seasons and community helpers, students will create writing that means something and encourage writing that can spark a response! It is a fully integrated experience where communication, fine motor skills, and academic content come together in a fun, engaging, and purposeful way. You’ll walk away with ready-to-use ideas that your students will love and that align beautifully with IEP goals. And the best part is you can gain data from it!
Hello! My name is Rhonda Cary, and I am a Special Education Communications teacher at Cockrell Elementary School. I recently completed my first year of teaching, and I was incredibly honored to be recognized by the Cockrell Champion staff with the “Rising Star of the Year” award... Read More →
Introduction to using these technology tools and how they benefit students with diverse learning needs such as dysgraphia, dyslexia, motor and visual impairments, ADHD, and English Language Learners.
Hello! My name is Carolyn Biddulph, and I am entering my 10th year as an occupational therapist in Prosper ISD. I have had the opportunity to work with students ages 3 to 21 within the district and love using a variety of strategies and resources to connect students with writing and... Read More →
Discover how to transform traditional read-alouds into interactive learning experiences. This session will guide teachers and paraprofessionals through the process of creating story boxes that incorporate real objects, textures, and sensory elements to support understanding for students with significant cognitive disabilities. Practical examples and ready-to-use ideas will be shared.
I am lucky enough to teach our middle school Active Learning students at Hays Middle School. I came to PISD in 2024 from McKinney ISD where I taught Active Learning/ Life Skills for 8 years. I have been in education since graduating Florida State University MANY ago:-) I began... Read More →
This training is designed to help paraprofessionals understand how to use the prompting hierarchy to support students and gradually fade that help over time. Participants will learn how to give the right amount of support, reduce prompts step by step, and encourage greater student independence during daily tasks and instruction.
Hello! My name is Caroline Herring. This will be my 19th year in Education. I currently serve as a Communications Teacher at Walnut Grove High School. This will be my third year serving in that role and as centralized team lead. Prior to my time at Walnut Grove, I served as a Behavior... Read More →
Do you ever wonder who the different specialists are coming in and out of your classroom, or how you can best support the specific work they do with students? Paraprofessionals are the "boots on the ground" who spend the most time with students, making you the most vital link in a student’s success. This session is designed to pull back the curtain on the multidisciplinary team. Participants will analyze specialist roles (such as SLP, OT, PT, and more) to understand their specific goals for student development and differentiate between service models, clarifying the "why" behind direct versus consultative support. Most importantly, we will move beyond theory into practice: you will leave with a practical toolkit of "carry-over" techniques you can use immediately to reinforce specialist interventions during your daily classroom routines. Join us to bridge the gap between therapy and the classroom, ensuring our students have unified support every hour of the school day.
Participants will develop an understanding of how to effectively utilize the authoring features within Vizzle to design customized activities aligned with each available page template. Emphasis will be placed on creating interactive and engaging content that supports active student participation and enhances learning outcomes during whole group instruction.
Special Education Teacher - Communications, Dan Christie Elementary
The 26/27 school year will be my 26th year in public education. I taught one year of first grade, with the remaining time in Special Education. I was also a Transition Specialist for 2 years. I am always working to improve my craft, and feel so grateful to be in Prosper where they... Read More →
Special Education Teacher - Communications, Dan Christie Elementary
This will be my third year in special education but sixth year overall. I have previously taught 2nd and 3rd grade before transitioning into special education. I am passionate about supporting diverse learners and take pride in researching and implementing a variety of strategies... Read More →
Join two APEs as we explore traditional PE games and learn how to adapt them quickly for all students. Plus, learn new games that focus on building social connections.
Equipping users with the skills to design tailored reports within Embrace! Participants will learn how to transform Special Education data, for their campus and/or caseload into a useful format, enabling more informed decision making and improved efficiency. Depending on your role and which session you are able to attend, we will create reports related to State Assessments/Accommodations, IEP & FIE Due Dates, Student Service & Placement, Progress Reports and more.
This session is designed to support teachers of all experience levels in developing effective IEP goals and PLAAFP statements. Together, we will explore how to write clear, measurable goals and create PLAAFPs that align with those goals while accurately reflecting each student’s needs and performance. The session will include practical strategies and examples that you can easily apply in your daily practice.
This is a practical session focused on understanding why students disengage and how educators can respond in ways that increase participation, persistence, and connection. Rather than viewing motivation as something students either have or do not have, this training helps participants examine how classroom conditions, relationships, instructional design, and student success experiences influence engagement. Participants will leave with concrete strategies they can use to reduce avoidance, increase buy-in, and better support students who appear resistant, passive, or disconnected from learning.
Special Education Instructional Coach - Centralized Programs, Prosper ISD
Hello and welcome! I am currently serving as a Special Education Instructional Coach, and prior to that, I was a Behavior Specialist and a Special Education Teacher. I am proud to say that all 14 years have been spent in this amazing district! I am also a mom to 2, K-12 PHS graduates... Read More →
School-based IEP teams are often tasked with supporting students’ social communication needs; however, the distinction between social skills instruction and pragmatic language therapy is not always clear. This session will clarify the similarities, differences, and areas of overlap between these approaches, with a focus on how educators and speech-language pathologists can work together to support student success. Through practical examples and case-based discussion, attendees will learn how to make informed decisions about intervention and how to collaborate effectively across disciplines. This session is designed for speech-language pathologists and special education teachers who want to strengthen team-based decision-making and improve outcomes for students with social communication needs.
This training on Natural Environment Behavioral Coaching emphasizes that all student behavior serves a function, driven by internal needs and external factors like sleep and family issues. Effective coaching leverages positive relationships to reinforce replacement behaviors through key strategies such as behavioral modeling, incidental intervention, and meaningful feedback. The training stresses the importance of preventative strategies, like priming and establishing consistent classroom norms, while advising educators to maintain consistency, discuss behavior privately, and avoid power struggles.
Hello! My name is Caroline Herring. This will be my 19th year in Education. I currently serve as a Communications Teacher at Walnut Grove High School. This will be my third year serving in that role and as centralized team lead. Prior to my time at Walnut Grove, I served as a Behavior... Read More →
Are you looking for ways to bring the Unique Learning System (ULS) to life? While the digital curriculum offers a robust framework, our students in self-contained settings thrive when learning is tactile, interactive, and personalized. In this hands-on session, we will move beyond the "print and go" mentality. We’ll explore creative strategies to adapt ULS monthly units into multi-sensory learning activities. Attendees will spend the session exploring high-utility materials they can take directly back to their classrooms to increase student participation and functional communication.
I am Special Education Coach in Prosper ISD. I support teachers and campuses in implementing high-quality specially designed instruction and inclusive practices for students with diverse abilities. I am passionate about building teacher capacity through collaboration, coaching... Read More →
Equipping users with the skills to design tailored reports within Embrace! Participants will learn how to transform Special Education data, for their campus and/or caseload into a useful format, enabling more informed decision making and improved efficiency. Depending on your role and which session you are able to attend, we will create reports related to State Assessments/Accommodations, IEP & FIE Due Dates, Student Service & Placement, Progress Reports and more.
This training on Natural Environment Behavioral Coaching emphasizes that all student behavior serves a function, driven by internal needs and external factors like sleep and family issues. Effective coaching leverages positive relationships to reinforce replacement behaviors through key strategies such as behavioral modeling, incidental intervention, and meaningful feedback. The training stresses the importance of preventative strategies, like priming and establishing consistent classroom norms, while advising educators to maintain consistency, discuss behavior privately, and avoid power struggles.
Hello! My name is Caroline Herring. This will be my 19th year in Education. I currently serve as a Communications Teacher at Walnut Grove High School. This will be my third year serving in that role and as centralized team lead. Prior to my time at Walnut Grove, I served as a Behavior... Read More →
Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired (TSBVI) will offer the first of a set of three trainings in the three phases of CVI. This training will cover phase 1, the initial stage of Cortical Visual Impairment (typically CVI Range score 0–3) where the goal is to build consistent, voluntary visual attention in children who rarely use or rely on their vision. The focus is on stabilizing visual functioning by using simple, high-contrast, and often light-based materials.
This professional development session on Handwriting Without Tears is designed specifically for elementary special education resource and centralized teachers, with a focus on building a strong foundation for effective handwriting instruction. Participants will explore the core principles of the program, emphasizing early skill development, readiness, and differentiation to meet diverse learning needs. The training will provide an overview of the first two student books, including how to introduce and support foundational print concepts through Intro to Print. Educators will also gain hands-on experience with key strategies and tools that make the program successful, such as the use of wood pieces and letters, chalkboards, and intentional vocabulary to support student understanding. By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with practical, research-based strategies to confidently implement handwriting instruction that supports a wide range of learners in resource and centralized classroom settings.
A Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) is required under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) when a student with a disability faces more than 10 days of removal. The team determines if the behavior was caused by the student’s disability or a failure to implement the IEP. This decision guides next steps—either increasing supports like an FBA or BIP, or moving forward with discipline while still ensuring access to education. MDRs help ensure decisions are both legally compliant and student-centered.
For students with low-incidence disabilities, the predictability of a routine is the key to unlocking learning and building anticipation. This session moves beyond the basic visual schedule to explore the creation and implementation of comprehensive functional routines. We will dive into how to design routines that maximize student participation and communication. Participants will learn how to break down complex daily tasks into manageable, repeatable steps and how to train classroom staff to support these routines with consistency.
Do you ever wonder who the different specialists are coming in and out of your classroom, or how you can best support the specific work they do with students? Paraprofessionals are the "boots on the ground" who spend the most time with students, making you the most vital link in a student’s success. This session is designed to pull back the curtain on the multidisciplinary team. Participants will analyze specialist roles (such as SLP, OT, PT, and more) to understand their specific goals for student development and differentiate between service models, clarifying the "why" behind direct versus consultative support. Most importantly, we will move beyond theory into practice: you will leave with a practical toolkit of "carry-over" techniques you can use immediately to reinforce specialist interventions during your daily classroom routines. Join us to bridge the gap between therapy and the classroom, ensuring our students have unified support every hour of the school day.
Participants will develop an understanding of how to effectively utilize the authoring features within Vizzle to design customized activities aligned with each available page template. Emphasis will be placed on creating interactive and engaging content that supports active student participation and enhances learning outcomes during whole group instruction.
Special Education Teacher - Communications, Dan Christie Elementary
The 26/27 school year will be my 26th year in public education. I taught one year of first grade, with the remaining time in Special Education. I was also a Transition Specialist for 2 years. I am always working to improve my craft, and feel so grateful to be in Prosper where they... Read More →
Special Education Teacher - Communications, Dan Christie Elementary
This will be my third year in special education but sixth year overall. I have previously taught 2nd and 3rd grade before transitioning into special education. I am passionate about supporting diverse learners and take pride in researching and implementing a variety of strategies... Read More →
Navigate the Embrace System confidently, including the dashboard and student records. Understand the system's basic automations and how they matriculate through the district. Identify and utilize core features relevant to your workflow
For students with visual impairments, deaf-blindness, or significant cognitive disabilities, the world can feel like a series of disconnected events. An object calendar is the bridge that connects these moments into a predictable, understandable story. This session will demystify what object calendars are and, more importantly, why they are a non-negotiable component of a student's communication and literacy program. We will explore how to select meaningful objects, how to use them to signal transitions, and how to integrate the calendar into the natural flow of the day so it becomes a functional tool rather than an "extra" task. Join us to learn how a simple tactile cue can reduce anxiety, increase independence, and provide a voice for our most complex learners.
This professional development session is designed for special education teachers and focuses on integrating sensory strategies into the classroom to support student engagement, self-regulation, and learning. Presented from an occupational therapy perspective, participants will explore how sensory processing impacts attention, behavior, and participation in academic tasks. The session will provide practical, research-based strategies and tools that can be implemented directly in the classroom, including movement breaks, tactile activities, adaptive seating, and visual or auditory supports. Teachers will gain hands-on experience in creating sensory-friendly environments, recognizing student sensory needs, and applying individualized supports to help all learners thrive. By the end of the session, participants will leave with actionable strategies to promote focus, regulation, and success for students with diverse sensory needs in the classroom.
Shift the narrative from deficits to possibilities. SpEd Kid Talks is designed for Special Education teachers, leads, and campus partners who want to transform how we discuss and plan for our students. This session moves beyond compliance-driven checklists to a "whole child" approach that balances academic, behavioral, and SEL needs. Participants will learn how to facilitate student-centered meetings that protect student dignity, reframe "problem talk" into skill-based solutions, and lead with strengths without overlooking critical needs. We will explore practical protocols to keep staffings focused on the human behind the data, ensuring every conversation shapes higher expectations and more meaningful outcomes.
This training is designed to help paraprofessionals understand how to use the prompting hierarchy to support students and gradually fade that help over time. Participants will learn how to give the right amount of support, reduce prompts step by step, and encourage greater student independence during daily tasks and instruction.
Hello! My name is Caroline Herring. This will be my 19th year in Education. I currently serve as a Communications Teacher at Walnut Grove High School. This will be my third year serving in that role and as centralized team lead. Prior to my time at Walnut Grove, I served as a Behavior... Read More →
This training aims to equip educators with the knowledge and skills necessary to recognize and effectively support students who exhibit internalized behaviors stemming from past trauma. By understanding the root causes of these behaviors and implementing trauma-informed approaches, educators can create a safe and supportive learning environment conducive to the social and emotional well-being of all students.
This session provides an intensive, hands-on exploration of the Woodcock-Johnson V (WJ-V), focusing on the core batteries for Cognitive Abilities and Achievement. As the field transitions to this latest iteration, educational diagnosticians and school psychologists will gain the technical proficiency and interpretive confidence needed to maintain assessment integrity. Participants will dive into the structural shifts and psychometric enhancements of the WJ-V. The training bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application through the following modules: - Battery Overview: Identifying the primary differences between the WJ IV and WJ-V, including new subtests and refined basal/ceiling rules. - Administration Best Practices: A step-by-step walkthrough of standardized administration procedures to ensure valid scores across diverse student populations. - Scoring & Interpretation: Utilizing the digital platform for precise scoring and learning how to synthesize cognitive and achievement data to identify strengths and weaknesses
Beckie Cybulski is an Educational Diagnostician with nearly 30 years of experience in special education and assessment in both public and private settings. She has worked primarily with middle and high school students and currently serves at Walnut Grove High School, where her responsibilities... Read More →
