Wallace named keynote speaker for July 20-23 education conference at SSCC

Dr. Teri Wallace has been named the keynote speaker for the seventh annual education conference, “Building Bridges,” which will be held July 20-23, 2015, at Southern State Community College’s Central Campus, 100 Hobart Drive, Hillsboro.

The “Building Bridges” conference is designed for infant, toddler and preschool teachers, paraprofessionals, special education teachers, pre-k through third grade teachers, and other interested parties. Morning sessions will be held from 8:45-11:45 a.m., and afternoon sessions from 12:30-3:30 p.m.

A professor in the Department of Special Education at Minnesota State University Mantako, Dr. Wallace is recognized nationally as a go-to person in the area of paraprofessional preparation. She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration, and has worked as a teacher, licensed social worker, department chairperson, and researcher.

Her experience gives her a broad understanding in the preparation and ongoing development of paraprofessionals and teachers, and in the development of effective clinical models. She has provided leadership on projects focusing on paraprofessional preparation, effective progress monitoring, community integration, and school-to-work transition for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Dr. Wallace will present two workshops during the conference: “Paraprofessionals are the Key: Understanding the Critical Role of Paraprofessionals in Unlocking Student Potential and Supporting Learning” and “Working Together for the Sake of All Learners: Strategies for Developing Effective Collaboration Between Teacher-Paraprofessional Teams.”

Other workshops offered throughout the conference include: The Role of the Paraprofessional; Collaboration: Teachers and Paras Working Together; Autism: Developing Behaviors; Autism and Instructional Practices; Assistive Technology; Supporting the Needs of Medically Fragile Students; Supporting the Students with Emotional Challenges; Guiding Children’s Behaviors; ELDS Level 1: Overview and Introduction; Introduction to Technology in the Early Learning Classroom; ELDS Social Studies-Parts 1 & 2; ELDS Language and Literacy-Parts 1 & 2; Emergency First Aid Procedures and CPR Training; Core Knowledge & Competencies; ELDS Motor Development-Parts 1 & 2; ELDS Language and Literacy-Parts 1 & 2; ELDS Social/Emotional Development-Parts 1 & 2; ELDS Social/Emotional Development-Parts 1 & 2; Child Abuse Recognition; and Communicable Diseases.

The conference is sponsored by Southern State Community College, and sessions are approved by the Ohio Department of Education, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and Step Up To Quality. The conference fee is $25 per day, which includes continental breakfast, lunch, materials, and prizes. Due to the interest in paraprofessional training sessions, registration has been extended to July 14.

To register, visit www.surveymonkey.com/r/VWLSBJG and contact Robin Tholen at 937-393-3431 x2671 or RTholen@sscc.edu for more information.

To learn more about degrees in education offered by Southern State Community College, please visit www.sscc.edu/academics/associate/early-childhood-education.shtml or www.sscc.edu/academics/associate/paraprofessional-education.shtml.