2011-2012, I coordinated our first teacher-led professional development series and created our first peer observation form. All of B-Tech's wonderful teachers participated, either by creating a PD or supporting others' PD with warm-up and cool-down activities. Here, chemistry teacher, Mr. Dangerfield, plays guitar to set the tone.
My PD focused on creating environments in which students can teach. I read "The Big Box" to communicate the importance of childrens' freedom of expression.
Christopher and Neyde participate in my PD along with Vatrina, varina, Arif and Mazhane to demonstrate their effective teaching skills. They teach the teachers how to greet each other in French.
CBITS
CBITS stands for Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools. This program is designed to meet the needs of students who have been exposed to violence and who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.) A team from Berkeley Mental Health asked me to co-facilitate the CBITS program once a week for 10 weeks (2010). We collaborated to tailor the CBITS curriculum to fit the specific needs of my students. We focused on helping students learn how to challenge their thoughts when confronted with an emotional situation. In the end, students received certificates of participation and I graduated from co-facilitator to Instructional Trainer.