DQUAC Professional Development Opportunities

How to Facilitate for Adults to Thrive  

Facilitators: Heather Intres and Bryan Bohanan, Extended Learning & Community Schools, Denver Public Schools

Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: DPS Acoma Campus (1617 South Acoma St., Denver, CO, 80223), Room 113

Description: Adult learners need know what does this mean for me and how do I transfer this knowledge successfully. From the set-up of your room, to meeting the needs of different types of learners,  workshop participants will engage in the Learn, Practice, and Enact cycle. Focus will be on engaging audience techniques, understanding learners in a shared space, how to create collateral that doesn't put people to sleep. The group will also spend time on redirecting techniques for rogue audience members and how start and end every training for supporting social and emotion needs. 

Takeaways:

• Concrete agenda setting best-practices

• Expert techniques on how to facilitate a room of adults

• Develop an Action Plan for your next meeting or training

Session Style: Interactive workshop

Recommended for: Managers or site leads; Organization leadership

Emotional Literacy at Your Site

Facilitators: Robert Franklin, Programs Manager, Children's Hospital Colorado and Katherine Reed, Creative Arts Therapist, Children's Hospital Colorado 

Date: Thursday, March 5, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: DPS Acoma Campus (1617 South Acoma St., Denver, CO, 80223), Room 113

Description: Many of us are aware of emotional intelligence and the impact of tapping into our own feelings and the feelings of others.  Too often we struggle with ways to engage with, and talk about our emotions, especially in program. In this session, we will explore different ways to approach talking about the emotions we come in contact with from a lens of art therapy.

Takeaways:

• Define emotional literacy for staff working with/for youth

• Opportunities to engage with different modalities of expression

• Discuss how difference impacts how we address emotions

Session Style: Lecture & Interactive workshop

Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; New to youth development

Building a Culturally Responsive Learning Environment

Facilitator: Parker McMullen Bushman, Butterfly Pavilion- VP of Programs / Ecoinclusive- Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Strategist  

Date: Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver (2017 W 9th Ave Denver, CO 80204) - JC Owen Board Room

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Description: Students of marginalized communities often times lack enthusiasm for the lessons and programs that they don’t see themselves in it. This makes it difficult for educators to be effective. This workshop will focus on identifying unconscious bias in our curriculum, learning environments and personal lives.

Takeaways:

• To raise a greater awareness of the roles culture and bias play in our teaching.

• Learn about forms of bias in instructional materials.

• To recommend tools for creating a culturally responsive learning environments.

Session Style: Lecture & Round table discussion

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Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; New to youth development

POSTPONED: Hands-on, Brains on, Hearts on! Experiential Learning in Afterschool

Facilitator: Alicia Christensen, Outreach Programs Manager, Denver Zoo

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Location: Denver Zoo (2300 Steele St, Denver, CO 80205)

Description: What makes the difference between a fun craft, game, or field trip, and one that creates meaningful experiences and memories that your students talk about for years to come? Join Denver Zoo Outreach Programs in learning concrete strategies to help you craft quality experiential learning programs about anything from Aviation to Zip Lining! In this 3-hour training, you will learn about key elements of experiential learning, learn how to develop experiential programs that actually achieve your goals, see examples of simple yet high-impact changes Denver Zoo has recently made to our own afterschool programming, and understand the impact these strategies can have on your own programs. Site leadership and front-line staff are welcome, and both will gain new insight into how to elevate your current programming practices. Come prepared with an upcoming lesson/activity/trip in mind, and leave with it elevated!

Takeaways:

• Participants will learn about key elements of experiential education

• Participants will see and discuss examples of experiential education

• Participants will be able to develop an outline for an experiential learning experience

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Note: If attending this session, please come prepared with either a lesson plan you want to make more experiential, or ideas for a new lesson/experience you would like to facilitate with your youth. 

Session Style: Interactive workshop

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Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; New to youth development

Online: Becoming a Culturally Responsive Educator Part I

Facilitator: John Lewis, Data and Quality Manager, Denver Public Schools and Network Lead, Denver Afterschool Alliance

Date: Wednesday, March 11, 2020

Time: 9am-12pm

Location: DPS Acoma Campus (1617 South Acoma St., Denver, CO, 80223), Room 113

Description: In this 2-part workshop participants will learn tools and strategies of Culturally Responsive Educators. Active participation and inquiry are essential to the success of this workshop. Together we will explore how using a culturally responsive approach in out-of-school time builds community, increases program quality and promotes learning and development. Attendance in both sessions is required. In the first session, we introduce foundations of culturally responsive teaching and unpack four areas of practice. Each participant will develop a plan to explore one of the practice areas through application in their daily work. In the second session, participants will engage in critical self-reflection and share insights from their practice.

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*Attendance in both sessions is required. Please also register for Part II.*

Takeaways:

• Expand vocabulary for talking about culturally responsive education

• Learn strategies to support cognitive development

• Practice applying elements of culturally responsive education in out-of-school time

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Session Style: Lecture, round table discussion, and interactive workshop

Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; Organization leadership; New to youth development

POSTPONED: Applications of a Trauma-Informed Approach (Part 2 of 2)     

Facilitator: Kyle Bixenmann, Manager of External Training, Mount Saint Vincent

Date: Friday, March 13, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: DPS Acoma Campus (1617 South Acoma St., Denver, CO, 80223), Room 113

Description: This is the second part of a two part series about providing trauma-informed support to young people.  This session will focus on applying the trauma-informed concepts learned in the Foundations of a Trauma-Informed Approach class to actual children that we serve.  Using Mount Saint Vincent's, state-based intervention planning tool, participants will walk through a case study of an actual young person and see how we used an understanding of trauma and neurobiology to develop a plan to support him.  Working in table groups, participants will then have the opportunity to develop their own state-based intervention plans for young people they work with to help them better navigate challenges.

*Attendance in both sessions is required. Please also register for Part I.*

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Takeaways:

• A template for support planning for young people impacted by trauma

• An actual plan to use with a young person in your program

Session Style: Lecture & Interactive workshop

Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; Organization leadership; New to youth development

Online: Becoming a Culturally Responsive Educator - Part II

Facilitator: John Lewis, Data and Quality Manager, Denver Public Schools and Network Lead, Denver Afterschool Alliance

Date: Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Description: In this 2-part workshop participants will learn tools and strategies of Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT). Active participation and inquiry are essential to the success of this workshop, together we will:

• Expand our vocabulary for talking about culturally responsive education

• Explore the four practice areas for the Ready for Rigor Framework (Hammond, 2015):

  • Awareness

  • Information Processing

  • Learning Partnerships

  • Community of Learners and Learning Environment

• Learn how to leverage the natural learning systems of our students to enhance learning and development

• Understand how using a culturally responsive approach in out-of-school time contributes to closing the opportunity gap

• Practice applying elements of CRT in out-of-school time contexts​​

*Attendance in both sessions is required. Please also register for Part II.*

This workshop is designed in two parts. In the first session, we introduce foundations of culturally responsive teaching and unpack elements of the Ready for Rigor Framework. Each participant will develop a plan to explore one of the practice areas through application in their daily work. In the second session, participants will engage in critical self-reflection and share insights from this practice.

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Session Style: Lecture, round table discussion, & interactive workshop

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Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; Organization leadership; New to youth development; Experienced youth developers

POSTPONED:Exploring Family Engagement

Facilitator: Amy Brady, Founder, StandUP

Date: Friday, March 27, 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Schlessman YMCA (3901 E Yale Avenue Denver, CO 80210) - Community Room on the 2nd Floor

Description: Effective family engagement is a key factor in successful youth programs.  So what gets in the way? The answer may surprise you! In this interactive workshop, participants will discover the key barrier to family engagement and will explore how to move past this barrier.  Participants will also receive ideas and strategies for creating more meaningful engagement within their programs, shifting our mindset to “what CAN we do?” rather than “why we CAN’T”.

Takeaways:

• Understanding barriers to family engagement

• Strategies to increase family engagement 

Session Style: Interactive workshop & round table discussion

Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; Organization leadership; New to youth development

Online: Coffee and Conversation: Increasing Youth Voice and Leadership in Programming

Facilitator: Hayley Krawitz, Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator, Colorado Young Leaders

Date: Monday, April 6, 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: The Guild- Englewood, 3435 S Inca St Ste C, Englewood, CO 80110

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Description: Come grab coffee and converse with local youth and youth voice advocates on ways to increase the comfortability of your youth in program and learn ways to give them platforms to use their voices. 

Takeaways:

• Increase youth voice in programming

• Learn ways to be open to integrating youth into development

Session Style: Round table discussion

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Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; Organization leadership; New to youth development; Experienced youth developers

POSTPONED: "Thata boy girl": Conversations on Gender, Vocabulary and Inclusion -- Part I

Facilitator: Randy Geary, Program Supervisor, Extended Learning and Community Schools, Denver Public Schools

Date: Tuesday, April 7, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: DPS Acoma Campus (1617 South Acoma St., Denver, CO, 80223), Room 113

Description: “Boys and girls it’s time to clean up”, “Boy’s line to the left, girl’s line to the right.” How often have you heard these at your site? What is cis, trans, non-binary, gender non-confirming? Or have you had John show up to program the last two days and now Susie is present? In “Thata boy girl” our collaboration will focus around exploring the gender expansive and its terminology, discuss and break down gender roles/stereotypes and barriers, delve into our own biases in terms of gender, and seek to, as a collective, being to break apart societal barriers of gender in our programming by exploring "inclusion as belonging".

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*Attendance in both sessions is required. Please also register for Part II.*

Takeaways:

• Basic understanding of the Gender Expansive

• Communicate common Gender Vocabulary

• How to explore our own Gender Biases and how to minimize them

• Understanding Inclusion as Belonging

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Session Style: Lecture, round table discussion, & interactive workshop

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Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; Organization leadership; New to youth development; Experienced youth developers

Online: How to Host a Virtual Meeting/Training for Adults

Facilitators: Melanie Kartzmer, Program Manager, Denver Afterschool Alliance and Abbe Knake, Talent and Development Manager, Boys & Girls Clubs Metro Denver

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Date: Tuesday, April 14 

Time: 11am-12:30pm

Location: Zoom

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Description: Transitioning meetings and training to a virtual space can be difficult. How do you still engage, connect, and learn together through a screen? Come learn about many of the Zoom tips & tricks to facilitate an effective meeting or training for adults. 

Online: Peaceful Minds, Peaceful Programs

Facilitator: Natalie Magnatta, Library Program Associate, Early Learning Department, Denver Public Library 

Date: Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: DPS Acoma Campus (1617 South Acoma St., Denver, CO, 80223), Room 113

Description: Do you wish your students were more focused, calm, kind and more able to self regulate? Do you also sometimes wish for more of those traits in yourself as well? In this session, we will focus on mindfulness techniques that after school providers can do  on their own and alongside their students. We will discuss the science behind mindfulness and brain function and development to better understand why and how these practices affect us. I will also share easy-to-implement resources for how to include these practices in your program, including breathing, songs, and movement that is appropriate for children 1-8 years old.

Takeaways:

• Understand the science behind mindfulness, brain function and development, and how mindfulness affects us and supports Trauma Informed Care

• Learn self-care and mindfulness strategies they can do for themselves on their own

• Learn easy-to-implement resources for how to include these practices in their program, including breathing, songs, and movement that is appropriate for children 1-8 years

Session Style: Lecture & Interactive workshop

Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; New to youth development; Targeted for those who work with the 1-8 age range

Online: Team Building in the virtual world - how to keep your staff engaged

Facilitator: Adam Kullberg, Interim Executive Director, Pop Culture Classroom

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Date: Monday, April 20 & Monday, May 11

Time: 10am-12pm

Location: Zoom

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Description: In this new climate, it can become easier for staff to feel isolated, disconnected, or siloed. In this session, we will discuss and brainstorm strategies for keeping staff engaged, motivated, and connected. 

POSTPONED: "Thata boy girl": Conversations on Gender, Vocabulary and Inclusion -- Part II

Facilitator: Randy Geary, Program Supervisor, Extended Learning and Community Schools, Denver Public Schools

Date: Thursday, April 16, 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: DPS Acoma Campus (1617 South Acoma St., Denver, CO, 80223), Room 113

Description: After taking back the knowledge gained from Part I to participants programs, participants will return to the table and discuss their observations of their individual programs through a gender inclusive lens. In small groups, you will discuss your observations and share thoughts and concerns. After exploring the concept of "Ally as a Verb, not a Noun" participants will create their Gender Inclusion Plans with special care given to those actionable items that are low effort with high impact.

*Attendance in both sessions is required. Please also register for Part I.*

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Takeaways:

• How Ally is a verb not a noun

• Create a Gender Inclusion Plan  

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Session Style: Lecture, round table discussion, & interactive workshop

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Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; Organization leadership; New to youth development; Experienced youth developers

POSTPONED: Summer SEAL Crash Course

Facilitators: SEAL Coaches, Denver Afterschool Alliance

Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: DPS Acoma Campus (1617 South Acoma St., Denver, CO, 80223), Room 113

Description: Participants will learn several ways to integrate Social Emotional and Academic Learning (SEAL) into their summer! How can you take a game or activity to the "next level", while promoting SEAL skills? How can you make your site more SEAL rich while still making camp fun? Participants will learn how to incorporate play based SEAL and intentional SEAL openings and reflections into their summer!

Takeaways:

• Tools to integrate SEAL into summer

• A SEAL summer vision

• Ideas for play-based SEAL 

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Session Style: Interactive workshop

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Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; Organization leadership; New to youth development; Experienced youth developers

Online: Infusing Positive Youth Development & Youth Program Quality into Virtual Offerings for Youth

Facilitator: John Lewis, Network Lead, Denver Afterschool Alliance

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Date: Friday, April 24

Time: 10am-12pm

Location: Zoom

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Description: As providers shift over to virtual classes maintaining a focus on program quality is more important than ever. Join us to explore ways to effectively engage young people with a positive youth development (PYD) and youth program quality (YPQ).

Online: Communication and Rapport Building

Facilitator: Tonia Crosby, Founder, BhavanaKIDS

Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Online

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Description: Understanding methods and strategies for engaging in meaningful communication and rapport building across work and life is paramount to healthy and lasting relationships. This interactive workshop with bKIDS founder Tonia Crosby explores the importance of non-violent communication, active listening and authentic rapport building.

Takeaways:

• Understand authentic rapport building as a leading strategy for engaging in relationships.  

• Explore non-violent communication and active listening methods. 

• Leave with tools, techniques and strategies that can be applied in life and work.

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Session Style: Interactive workshop

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Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; Organization leadership; New to youth development; Experienced youth developers

Online: Building Your Career - Resume & Interviewing 101

Facilitators: Heather Intres, Associate Director, Extended Learning & Community Schools, Denver Public Schools and Melanie Kartzmer, Program Manager, Denver Afterschool Alliance

Date: Monday, May 4, 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: Online

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Description: The out-of-school time field is striving for the next level of professionalism, and it starts with YOU. This will be a highly tactical training where participants will gain skills to enhance their resume and practice interview techniques. 

POSTPONED: Coffee & Conversation: Bridging the Gap- a conversation with principals and site leaders

Facilitator: Omid Amini, Manager, Extended Learning and Community Schools, Denver Public Schools

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Panel Participants: Davon Renfrow, Principal, Godsman Elementary; Leila Benedyk, Club Director, Godsman Elementary; Grant Varveris, Principal, Skinner Middle School; Jesse Broadfoot, Manager, Extended Learning and Community Schools, Denver Public Schools

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Date: Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: DPS Acoma Campus (1617 South Acoma St., Denver, CO, 80223), Room 113

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Description: One of the critical ingredients for a high quality OST program is strong relationships with the school day staff. These relationships lead to increased communication, understanding, and partnership. Are you currently looking for strategies and techniques to form or strengthen these relationships? Join us for this “coffee and conversation” with Denver Public Schools principals and the out-of-school time site directors who have strong and authentic relationships that have led to high quality programming and a high functioning school.

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Takeaways:

• Staff will walk away with strategies and techniques to improve or build a relationship school leaders and new perspectives and ideas on afterschool programs.

• Staff will learn from both principals and site leaders on what success looks like in the afterschool space.

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Session Style: Round table discussion

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Recommended for: Managers or site leads

Coffee & Conversation: In-Person Youth Programming During COVID-19

Date: Friday, May 15, 2020

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Location: Zoom

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Description:  While many organizations are shifting to virtual programming, some of you will be reopening your doors in a few weeks for the first time since the shutdown. As such, you may have some questions around how best to keep youth, staff and families safe during in person programming this summer.

Join us for a conversation with Katie Cannon Zhang (Program Director at YMCA) and Melissa Franklin (Coordinator at Denver Parks and Recreation) as they share lessons learned regarding their experience with live programming through physical distance.

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The YMCA has created a document detailing their efforts since opening their doors in March to provide care to children of first responders. You will receive this document upon registration, and we ask that attendees read this document prior to May 15th as the contents may answer many of your initial questions.

POSTPONED: Find the Spark: Creating connection with your students through discovering passion areas

Facilitator: Hayley Krawitz, Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator, Colorado Young Leaders

Date: Thursday, May 7, 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Location: The Guild- Englewood, 3435 S Inca St Ste C, Englewood, CO 80110

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Description: What is the reason behind why you do what you do in the field? Is it a spark of passion or purpose for you? Could you name the passion areas of your participants or staff and are they being snuffed out in programming or is fanned to grow bigger? In this session we will be discussing ways to identify and integrate your personal spark into your programming without losing focus of the goals as well as ways to help utilize your student's passions into your program to increase personal engagement. 

Takeaways:

• Increasing student engagement, positive interaction, and student voice in your programming 

• Help cultivate personal drive and passion in the field of youth development

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Session Style: Round table discussion & interactive workshop

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Recommended for: Direct service/site staff; Managers or site leads; Organization leadership; New to youth development; Experienced youth developers

Using Google and YouTube to Connect with Kids

Facilitators: Steve Russell-Holz, Digital Coach Supervisor, Denver Public Schools and Peter Douglas, Educational Technology Specialist, Denver Public Schools

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Date: Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Location: Zoom

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Description:  Google has dramatically increased the availability of their business and education tools to support families in this time of remote learning. In this session, we will talk through the use of Google Meets (via personal accounts, not DPS accounts) and YouTube to reach out and serve families with additional programming.