NWESD’s Special Programs and Services department offers multiple professional development trainings each year. These trainings are designed for teachers, related service providers, administrators, and paraprofessionals.
Our courses cover a variety of subjects, from CANVAS book studies for new special education teachers and practices for students with disabilities to multiple courses on different approaches to IEPs, paraprofessionals and teachers working together, and more.
Is there a need your district paraprofessionals or staff may have where the entire district is the focus? Would it benefit your district to have NWESD presenter(s) come to you for either a full-day or half-day presentation? NWESD is available to work with you on special education topics and/or collaborate with Teaching and Learning and Prevention and Behavioral Health to bring you the trainings you need, either in-district or at the NWESD in Anacortes.
If you would like more information about professional development or paraeducator assessment testing, please contact us.
Dr. Michelle Roper, BCBA-D
Director, Special Programs & Services
Kristi Gunerius
Administrative Assistant
Special Programs & Services
Paraeducator Assessment Testing
CANVAS Course
The Survival Guide for New Special Education Teachers
CANVAS Course
High-Leverage Practices for Students with Disabilities
NWESD, Anacortes
Navigating Section 504: From Principles to Practice
NWESD, Anacortes
The Administrator/Designee/District Representative Role in Facilitating the IEP Process
NWESD, Anacortes
The Special Education Evaluation & Eligibility Process: An Overview for Educators
NWESD, Anacortes
Individualized Education Program (IEP) Fundamentals: Developing Standards-Based IEPs
NWESD, Anacortes
Teachers & Paraprofessionals Supporting Students with Diverse Learning Needs: Managing & Leading a Special Education Classroom
NWESD, Anacortes
From Assessment to Intervention: Completing the Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) & Behavior Intervention (BIP) Process
NWESD, Anacortes
Paraeducator Assessment Tests
Menu of Services
What others are saying about our courses
Navigating Section 504
- Instructor was amazing!! So knowledgeable
- Great information, very concise
- Valuing adult learners; pace of content was quick but offered time for reflection and to ask questions
Behavior Assessment to Intervention (FBA & BIP)
- Well organized presentation of team processes
- Michelle was an amazing instructor who has a lot of background knowledge on FBAs making the class so much more impactful and useful
- It was thorough and very explicit. I appreciated how personable it was.
IEP Fundamentals
- Very thorough and detailed with concrete examples and opportunities to invoke real examples from my own practice
- Case studies, real-life examples, lots of information base on compliance of current law
- Giving information almost nobody in the classroom knew
Special Education Evaluation & Eligibility
- The provider was clearly experienced and knowledgeable, yet presented content in an easy to grasp manner
- Appreciated the clarity of the evaluation process that was laid out. The facilitator did a nice job of balancing getting through material and meeting the needs of the people in the room
- I appreciated the case law that was presented
Teachers & Paraprofessionals Supporting Students
- I loved how I was able to attend with a Para Pro from my classroom
- I loved the videos and the visual content that was provided. I also love that we got to make task boxes and had a good example of items that can be put in them.
- This was the best class I have taken “there”. Not many classes are all about special education so this was right up my alley! The task boxes were such an added bonus. Thank you! It is nice to collaborate with people from other districts/schools.