Events

*NOTE: Because of high demand, we ask that you register for only ONE book study to allow everyone to participate

ADHD is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD 
Author: Penn and Kim Holderness 
Facilitated by: Denise Shugarts  
Limited to 20 participants 

ADHD Is Awesome: A Guide to (Mostly) Thriving with ADHD is a positive, research-backed resource that reframes Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder as a unique way of thinking rather than a mere deficiency. Award-winning content creators Penn and Kim Holderness use their trademark humor and personal anecdotes to explore what it is truly like to live with an ADHD brain, drawing from Penn’s own diagnosis and their family's experiences. The book aims to "reboot" the narrative surrounding the condition by shifting the focus from stigma and failure to inherent strengths like creativity, hyperfocus, and high energy.

May 5, 2026: ZOOM Meeting 3:00-4:00 pm  
May 12th-19th: Independent Work  
May 20th-25th: Independent Work  
May 26, 2026: ZOOM Meeting 3:00-4:00 pm  

Grounded in research-based practices, the program integrates Universal Design for Learning (UDL), blended learning, and Pennsylvania's Student-Centered Learning Blueprint to promote equity, learner agency, and instructional sustainability.  These sessions will cover reviewing components of student-centered learning and evaluate your district's needs to make it happen in your schools.

Zoom Link

Check & Connect Mentor Training is a 2-day in-depth, competency-based training designed to provide Check & Connect mentors with the information, competencies, and skills needed to be an effective Check & Connect mentor at their local site. 

Participants will learn about and understand— The core components and elements of Check & Connect The role and expectations of the Check & Connect mentor The population of students they are mentoring and how to best meet their needs How to implement the "Check" and "Connect" procedures with fidelity The competencies and skills needed to be an effective mentor, such as: Building relationships with students, families, and school personnel Using data to determine interventions Reflective listening Problem–solving Engaging with families.

Tuscarora Intermediate Unit 11

May 7th, 2026

8:30am-3:30pm

*Lunch will be on your own** 

When? Thursday, May 7th, 2026, 08:30 AM

Where? 2527 U.S. 522, McVeytown, PA, USA 

*NOTE: Because of high demand, we ask that you register for only ONE book study to allow everyone to participate

A Smile as Big as the Moon: A Special Education Teacher, His Class, and Their Inspiring Journey Through U.S. Space Camp by Mike Kersjes
Facilitator: Lisa Kruse
Limited to 15 participants
 

The inspiring true story of how one special education teacher got his class to Space Camp
"A heartening story, sure to inspire other teachers struggling with students who often seem beyond their reach." —Teacher magazine
Mike Kersjes always believed that his students could do anything—even attend the prestigious Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, where some of America's best and brightest high school students compete in a variety of activities similar to those experienced by NASA astronauts training for shuttle missions. The challenge was convincing everyone else that the kids in his special education class, with disabilities including Tourette's syndrome, Down's Syndrome, dyslexia, eating disorders, and a variety of emotional problems, would benefit from the experience and succeed. With remarkable persistence, Kersjes broke down one barrier after another, from his own principal's office to the inner sanctum of NASA, until Space Camp finally opened its doors. After nine months of rigorous preparation, Kersjes's class arrived at Space Camp, where they turned in a performance beyond everyone's expectations.

Book Study Meeting Dates: 
● Thursday, May 7, 2026 (7-8 pm) 
● Thursday, May 14, 2026 (7-8 pm) 
● Thursday, May 21, 2026 (7-8 pm) 
● Thursday, May 28, 2026 (7-8 pm) 
 

How it works: 
● Check out the book from the library or purchase a digital/hard copy 
● One week before prior to the start date, check your email for the Zoom link and syllabus 
● Be ready to share your thoughts and ideas in the flexible discussion format. 
● If you cannot be present for a ZOOM meeting, you will be required to provide a written summary of the session’s content in order to receive your hours. This is intended to be synchronous book study with opportunities for discussion amongst colleagues, as such participants are expected to attend a minimum of 3 live sessions to obtain course hours. 
● A certificate with your credit hours will be issued upon completion of the book study

*NOTE: Because of high demand, we ask that you register for only ONE book study to allow everyone to participate

Para/Teacher Book Study  

How it works:  
• Check out the book from the library or purchase it.  
• Read the book as outlined and be prepared to participate in a conversation via Zoom 
• Join ZOOM using the link provided https://paiu.zoom.us/j/91410791385 
*You will receive 4 hours of credit per Zoom session, 12 in total if you attend at 3 dates.

Book Study Meeting Dates:  
Wednesday, May 13, 3:30-4:30pm, chapters 1-4 
Wednesday, May 20, 3:30-4:30pm, chapters 5-8 
Wednesday, May 27, 3:30-4:30pm, chapters 9-12 

The Explosive Child   
Author: Dr. Ross Greene   
Facilitated by: Betsy Cox  
No Limit on number of participants  

What’s an explosive child? A child who responds to routine problems with extreme frustration—crying, screaming, swearing, kicking, hitting, biting, spitting, destroying property, and worse. A child whose frequent, severe outbursts leave his or her parents feeling frustrated, scared, worried, and desperate for help. Most of these parents have tried everything-reasoning, explaining, punishing, sticker charts, therapy, medication—but to no avail. They can’t figure out why their child acts the way he or she does; they wonder why the strategies that work for other kids don’t work for theirs; and they don’t know what to do instead. 

Dr. Ross Greene, a distinguished clinician and pioneer in the treatment of kids with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges, has worked with thousands of explosive children, and he has good news: these kids aren’t attention-seeking, manipulative, or unmotivated, and their parents aren’t passive, permissive pushovers. Rather, explosive kids are lacking some crucial skills in the domains of flexibility/adaptability, frustration tolerance, and problem solving, and they require a different approach to parenting. 

Throughout this compassionate, insightful, and practical book, Dr. Greene provides a new conceptual framework for understanding their difficulties, based on research in the neurosciences. He explains why traditional parenting and treatment often don’t work with these children, and he describes what to do instead. Instead of relying on rewarding and punishing, Dr. Greene’s Collaborative Problem Solving model promotes working with explosive children to solve the problems that precipitate explosive episodes, and teaching these kids the skills they lack. 

This meeting is for District Special Education Directors and/or designees.  We will share updates, information and resources from the Bureau of Special Education, Pattan and other activities that support the BSE initiatives in our schools.  Training will be provided on a monthly basis in various topics.

SAP County Coordination Meeting

Safety Care is a training program for all staff working with children, adolescents, or adults who may exhibit challenging or dangerous behavior.  Participants in this course will learn a wide variety of prevention, de-escalation, and physical management skills.  The goal is for participants to return to the learning environment and contribute to a physical and social environment that encourages behavior patterns that are positive and safe.  Please note that this is an initial training for those who have never been trained or who have not made the timely recertification time line.

There will be a $9.00 charge for materials and processing.

*NOTE: Because of high demand, we ask that you register for only ONE book study to allow everyone to participate

It's Monday morning and George walks out of the front door to his car and a flat tire. This is the least of his problems. His home life is in shambles and his team at work is in disarray. With a big product launch coming in two weeks, he has to find a way to get it together or risk losing his marriage and job. Forced to take the bus to work, George meets a unique bus driver and an interesting cast of characters who, over the course of two weeks, share the ten rules for the ride of his life. In the process, they help him turn around his work and life, saving his job and marriage from destruction.

The Energy Bus, an international bestseller, takes readers on an enlightening and inspiring ride that reveals ten secrets for approaching life and work with the kind of positive, forward thinking that leads to true accomplishment―at work and at home.

Build positive energy with vision, trust, optimism, enthusiasm, purpose, and spirit. Learn how to turn negative energy into positive achievement. Overcome obstacles and bring out the best in yourself and your team

The Energy Bus provides a powerful plan for overcoming common life and work obstacles and bringing out the best in yourself and your team. When you get on The Energy Bus, you'll enjoy the ride of your life.

How the Book Study Works:
1. Purchase a digital or hard copy of this book.
2. At least two weeks prior to the first meeting, an email will be sent to registrants including a syllabus with chapter assignments for each meeting.
3. Read the book as outlined in the syllabus prior to meetings and be ready to share your thoughts and ideas in a flexible discussion format.
4. If you cannot be present for a ZOOM meeting, you will be required to provide a written summary of the session’s content in order to receive your hours. This is intended to be a synchronous book study with opportunities for discussion amongst colleagues; as such, participants are expected to attend a minimum of three live sessions to obtain course hours. If you cannot commit to synchronous attendance on these dates please choose another book study option.
5. A certificate with your 15 credit hours will be issued upon completion of the book study.

2026 Book Study Information - The Energy Bus

This training session will discuss effective math instructional strategies in K-12 classrooms.  Participants will explore matching instruction to student needs based on the instructional hierarchy of learning.  The session will include discussions on differentiation and time management within the allotted math block/period at the school and/or district level.  Emphasis will be placed on structuring how teachers can use effective instructional strategies to improve student outcomes in math.

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

• Match instruction to student needs, develop a walkthrough tool, and identify effective instructional strategies in the math classroom

Upon completion of this training, participants will receive 4.0 Act 48 hours.  If you would like Act 48 hours for this training, please be sure to select that option when you register.  If you have questions about registration, please contact Brooke Boonie at bboonie@tiu11.org

Presenters: Jared Campbell, Dawn Lynn

Contact: dlynn@tiu11.org or call 814-542-2501

This is a FREE event

*NOTE: Because of high demand, we ask that you register for only ONE book study to allow everyone to participate

Out of My Mind written by: Sharon M. Draper

Facilitated by: Staci Young

Out of My Mind is a compelling and emotional novel that follows Melody Brooks, an eleven-year-old girl with cerebral palsy, who cannot walk, talk, or write, but has an extraordinary mind. Trapped in a body that won't cooperate, Melody has photographic memory, sharp intelligence, and a vibrant inner life that no one around her fully sees.

As Melody navigates school, friendships, and the frustrations of being underestimated, she discovers new ways to express herself an challenge the assumptions others make about her. Her journey is both inspiring and eye-opening, reminding readers of the power of communication, the importance of inclusion, and the strength it takes to be truly seen and heard.

Join us to dive into the story of Melody and examine the themes of resilience, inclusion, communication, and the power of seeing beyond limitations.

Zoom link will shared once you have registered.

Book Study Meeting Dates:

• June 9, 2026 (9:00-10:00am)
• June 11, 2026 (9:00-10:00am)
• June 16, 2026 (9:00-10:00am)
• June 18, 2026 (9:00-10:00am)

How it works:

• Purchase a digital or hard copy of this book. It can be found on  Amazon  OR use the free  online PDF
• At least two weeks prior to the first meeting, an email will be sent to registrants including a syllabus with  chapter assignments for each meeting.
• Read the book as outlined in the syllabus prior to meetings  and be r  eady to share your thoughts and i deas in a flexible discussion format.
• If you cannot be present for a ZOOM meeting, you will be required to provide a written summary of the  session’s content in order to receive your hours  .  This is intended to be a synchronous book study with  opportunities for discussion amongst colleagues;  as such,  participants are expected to attend a  minimum of 3 live sessions to obtain course hours. If you cannot commit to synchronous  attendance on these dates please choose another book study option.
• A certificate with your 15 credit hours will be issued upon completion of the book study.

If you have questions, please contact Staci Young, TIU 11 Educational Consultant

Email: syoung@tiu11.org

Phone: 814-542-2501x1126

Mobile: 814-514-9034

PURPOSE: Please be aware that this is a competencies-based training and full attendance is mandatory in order to receive certification. This excellent K-12 staff development program is designated to prepare additional persons to participate on the school’s SAP core team. Participants will learn about the Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol agencies and how these agencies, in collaboration with the educational system, intervene in an effective efficient way to remove the barriers of learning for at-risk students. This training meets the requirements of the Commonwealth of PA Interagency Committee for Student Assistance Programs. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Building administrators, central office administrators, counselors, psychologists and classroom teachers who will be joining existing SAP core teams should attend this training. Child-serving agencies such as juvenile probation and children services would also benefit from this valuable training.

These meetings will provide principals with time to share and talk with each other.  There will also be a theme topic for each meeting.

PURPOSE: Please be aware that this is a competencies-based training and full attendance is mandatory in order to receive certification. This excellent K-12 staff development program is designated to prepare additional persons to participate on the school’s SAP core team. Participants will learn about the Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol agencies and how these agencies, in collaboration with the educational system, intervene in an effective efficient way to remove the barriers of learning for at-risk students. This training meets the requirements of the Commonwealth of PA Interagency Committee for Student Assistance Programs. 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Building administrators, central office administrators, counselors, psychologists and classroom teachers who will be joining existing SAP core teams should attend this training. Child-serving agencies such as juvenile probation and children services would also benefit from this valuable training.