Social Emotional Learning

Social Emotional Learning opportunities offered by the Diagnostic Center, Central California

Professional Development Manual Home | Special Event Offerings | 2024-25 Learning Opportunities

C-1 Taking the Pressure off: Finding Resilience - NEW

Presenters

  • Dení Dayan, School Psychologist, Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP)

Intended Audience

Special Ed Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, School Psychologists, Gen Ed Teachers, Program Specialists, Administrators (Special Ed, Gen Ed, Special Education Local Plan Area [SELPA]), Paraprofessionals, Parents, School Nurse, Behavior Support Personnel, Early Childhood Educators

Time

1.5 hours

Format

In-person

Summary

How many of you are feeling pressure? Pressure due to deadlines, demands of your time, putting out fires, managing challenging people, etc? This workshop will not only help you understand yourself better, it will help you understand human behavior! We are wired to OVERREACT! Have you ever heard the saying, "better to be safe than sorry?" Well that is exactly how you and everyone around you is wired! You will learn and practice research-based ways to reduce stress and inflammation in your body while having FUN doing it!

Participants will

  • Name nine elements that promote resilience
  • Explain the mind-body connection between stress and health outcomes
  • Create a plan of wellbeing for yourself

C-2 The Trauma Informed Classroom - NEW

Presenters

  • Dení Dayan, School Psychologist, LEP

Intended Audience

Special Ed Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, School Psychologists, Gen Ed Teachers, Program Specialists, Administrators (Special Ed, Gen Ed, SELPA), Paraprofessionals, Behavior Support Personnel

Time

1.5 hours

Format

In-person

Summary

This workshop provides a clear understanding of how trauma affects the developing brain through the lens of the triune brain model. Participants will learn about the five types of trauma, how they impact brain development and behavior, and gain insights into supporting students of all ages. Whether you're a teacher, support staff, or administrator, this session equips you with practical knowledge to better understand and respond to trauma in your school community.

Participants will

  • Describe the triune brain.
  • Name the five types of trauma.
  • Describe how trauma impacts the developing brain.
  • Explore pillars of the healing centered classroom.

C-3 Responsive Discipline: Trauma Informed-Approaches to Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and Co-Regulation - NEW

Presenters

  • Dení Dayan, School Psychologist, LEP

Intended Audience

Special Ed Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, School Psychologists, Gen Ed Teachers, Program Specialists, Administrators (Special Ed, Gen Ed, SELPA), Paraprofessionals, Behavior Support Personnel

Time

1.5 hours

Format

In-person

Summary

This workshop explores four discipline styles through a trauma-informed lens, focusing on SEL strategies that enhance critical thinking and accountability. In this workshop attendees will explore discipline that is both kind and firm, having boundaries and clear expectations while maintaining mutual respect. Participants will also learn the three steps of co-regulation to support students in managing emotions and behavior in a compassionate, responsive way.

Participants will

  • Explore four discipline styles.
  • Practice SEL strategies to enhance critical thinking and accountability.
  • Name the three steps for co-regulation.

C-4 De-escalation from the Inside Out: Neuroscience for Restoring Calm - NEW

Presenters

  • Dení Dayan, School Psychologist, LEP

Intended Audience

Special Ed Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, School Psychologists, Gen Ed Teachers, Program Specialists, Administrators (Special Ed, Gen Ed, SELPA), Paraprofessionals, Behavior Support Personnel

Time

1.5 hours

Format

In-person

Summary

In this trauma-informed workshop, participants will explore the brain's response to stress and crisis, focusing on a bottom-up approach to verbal de-escalation. By understanding how the brainstem, limbic system, and cortex respond under pressure, educators and staff will learn effective, compassionate verbal strategies to help de-escalate challenging situations. Participants will walk away with practical tools to calm the brain and restore regulation in both themselves and their students.

Participants will

  • Understand how the brain responds to stress and crisis from a bottom-up approach (brainstem to cortex).
  • Learn verbal de-escalation techniques that align with the brain's stress response system.
  • Practice bottom-up regulation strategies to bring students from fight, flight, or freeze back to calm.

C-5 The Apathy Cure - NEW

Presenters

  • Dení Dayan, School Psychologist, LEP

Intended Audience

Special Ed Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, School Psychologists, Gen Ed Teachers, Program Specialists, Administrators (Special Ed, Gen Ed, SELPA), Behavior Support Personnel

Time

1.5 hours

Format

In-person

Summary

This one's for all the high school teachers, psychologists, counselors, and admins out there! If you've ever struggled with students who seem to be in total "freeze" mode - hoods up, silent, and completely shut down - this workshop is for you. We'll dive into Motivational Interviewing techniques that can help students snap out of that freeze response and start getting motivated for their future success. If this sounds familiar, join us and learn some fresh, practical strategies to get your students moving forward!

Participants will

  • Understand the freeze response and how it impacts student behavior and motivation in high school settings.
  • Learn and practice Motivational Interviewing techniques to help students shift from shutdown to engagement.
  • Develop personalized strategies to support students in building motivation and taking steps toward future success.

C-6 Mindfulness - NEW

Presenters

  • Dení Dayan, School Psychologist, LEP

Intended Audience

Special Ed Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, School Psychologists, Gen Ed Teachers, Program Specialists, Administrators (Special Ed, Gen Ed, SELPA), Paraprofessionals, Parents, School Nurse, Behavior Support Personnel

Time

3 hours

Format

In-person

Summary

This workshop introduces Mindfulness, a trauma-informed approach that integrates mindful movement, breathing techniques, and centering practices to reduce stress and build resilience. Participants will gain an understanding of the central nervous system, including its two branches: the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. They will also learn how to tailor mindfulness interventions to meet students' needs - whether to increase alertness in those who are lethargic or to calm those who are overly energized. Attendees will leave with simple, effective strategies to regulate emotions, enhance focus, and create a calm, supportive environment - beneficial for both personal well-being and student engagement.

Participants will

  • Understand the science behind mindfulness and its positive effects on emotional regulation and resilience for both students and educators.
  • Experience brief movement-based mindfulness practices that can change the way you feel in moments.
  • Develop strategies to integrate mindfulness practices into daily routines to create a calm and supportive learning environment.

C-7 Cultivating Resilience with the HOPE Framework - NEW

Presenters

  • Dení Dayan, School Psychologist, LEP

Intended Audience

Special Ed Teachers, Speech Language Pathologists, School Psychologists, Gen Ed Teachers, Program Specialists, Administrators (Special Ed, Gen Ed, SELPA), Paraprofessionals, Parents, School Nurse, Behavior Support Personnel, Early Childhood special education and general education teachers and administrators

Time

1 hours

Format

In-person

Summary

The HOPE (Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences) workshop centers on using positive childhood experiences (PCEs) to mitigate the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This workshop introduces participants to the core principles of the HOPE framework, which highlights the importance of safe relationships, stable environments, opportunities for engagement, and emotional growth. Attendees will learn how to integrate these positive experiences into educational and community settings to support healthy development and mitigate the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). This training is ideal for educators looking to shift their practices towards trauma-informed care and PCEs as a foundation for promoting mental health and well-being.

Participants will

  • Understand the HOPE framework and its role in building resilience.
  • Identify practical ways to foster positive experiences in educational and community settings.
  • Learn strategies to mitigate the effects of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) through positive reinforcement.