Steps to a Successful In-Service Training
Contact principal or classroom teacher(s) to set up date, time,
and location of in-service training. Try to arrange for the meeting/training
as early in the school year as possible. It's important that appropriate
accommodations are being offered immediately.
If possible send out survey of topics to be covered or discussed
during the in-service training. Find out by doing a pre-test survey
if teachers and staff have had any prior experience serving a child
with a hearing loss. Does the staff have pre-conceived ideas about
what a Deaf child looks like or needs?
Invite staff members who will come in contact with the Deaf/Hard
of Hearing students during the school year.
Create and copy handouts based on interest from the survey or discussions. Some
staff may need more materials than others, such as some basic sign
language resources for classroom teachers if the student
uses sign language.
Reserve any media equipment needed from the school's media center
or from your district media resource center if you do not have the equipment yourself. The equipment could be a computer to present from, a projector, an over-head projector, etc.
Collect any other materials needed and design your presentation.
Remember to have both general information about hearing loss and
specific information about the individual student's needs. Consider
what information to share school-wide, with the student's team,
and what information is confidential to share with only those who need to know.
Try to encourage a partnership/team relationship with the staff
that will be providing the daily services for the student. Make
sure the participants leave with your contact information in case
they think of questions after your presentation and share forms
used for on-going communications.
Organize your materials to hand out as well as a sign-in form
and evaluation form. It's always helpful to have peole evaluate
your workshop so you can make changes for future workshops. Keep
it simple if it's a relatively informal training, such as "I
liked..., I did not like..., I would like more information about...."
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