Education

In the contemporary teaching reality of prescribed curricula, mandates & protocol; busy (often over sized) classrooms of students with diverse personalities, learning abilities and needs; compromised time for lesson planning, preparation, assessment, and reporting; IEP planning; parent and student conferences; and extra curricular responsibilities, the role of an educator is not without challenge. The Education Programs at Whitecrow Village are designed with this in mind.  Our experienced staff, advisors, and consultants include classroom teachers, E.A.s and education consultants who have first hand knowledge and understanding of both the classroom reality and of what is necessary to assist school staff and students with FASD to have manageable, positive, and successful experiences together. 

The Whitecrow Village Education Programs’ workshop series for educators typically spans 3-4 days (these may be consecutive or spaced over district Pro-D days).  Successive workshops are designed to provide teachers and EAs with a solid foundation in the Whitecrow Village philosophy and core principles by which we believe effective teaching strategies can be designed and implemented.  Activities in these sessions are both academic and experiential in nature, and teaching teams (Teachers & EAs) are encouraged to attend and work together in order to develop a common understanding of FASD and a success-engendering language.  Topics for exploration in this series include:

• Primary Disabilities
• Secondary Disabilities
• FASD Misconceptions & Stigmas
• Classroom Environment
• Environmental Accommodations
• Transitions
• Structure & Routines
• Lesson Planning
• Inclusive (Invisible) Adaptations
• IEP Planning
• Student Support Planning
• Practical Applications of Psycho-Educational Assessments
• Fostering Healthy Relationships
• Family & Cultural Contexts
• Natural Support Systems
• Community Resources
• Teacher Self Care

For bookings or inquiries, please click here to contact us.

The Whitecrow Village education team is available for consultation & mentorship in individual classroom situations in FASD related areas including:

• IEP and Student Support Planning
• Student Needs Assessments
• Environmental Assessments
• Psycho-Educational Assessments
• Engaging Challenging Students
• Classroom Transitions, Routines & Structure
• Effective Communication & Language
• Modified Curricula
• Attachment Issues
• Parent Relations
• Team building (Teacher, EA, Parent, Child)

As well, we routinely speak to groups of educators on select topics and provide information, insight and guidance in specified FASD related focus areas at staff or parent meetings and at district levels.  To inquire about having a Whitecrow Village education team visit your school click here to contact us.

The internationally acclaimed Whitecrow Village presentation panels can be tailored to inform and address issues specific to a range of social, political and professional domains.  Panelists are drawn from the Whitecrow Village community encompassing staff, adults, youth, children, parents, and community professionals.  Past panels specifically designed for educators and school administrators have addressed such topics as:

• School Experiences (K-12)
• Learning Abilities
• Transitions
• IEPs & Support Programs
• Advocacy
• Peer & Teacher Relationships
• Natural Supports

Presentations for educators generally span 90 minutes (60 minutes speakers’ presentation/ 30 minutes open discussion period).  Educators have commented that the experience of the Whitecrow Panel Presentations has provided them with an holistic insight and broadened understanding of the daily realities faced by individuals with FASD (beyond the classroom) which, in turn, has inspired and informed their teaching practices and has equipped them with a set of concrete principles by which to design effective teaching strategies within their own unique classroom dynamic.

The Whitecrow Village presentation panels can be tailored for youth to inform and address issues specific to a range of topics including:

• Living and Succeeding with FASD
• School Experiences
• Bullying
• Life Transitions & Change
• Mental and Emotional Well Being
• Interdependence
• Choosing Healthy Friendships
• Dating & Relationships
• Addictions & Substance Abuse
• Advocacy & Self Advocacy
• Talking with Parents, Teachers, and Employers

Presentations for youths generally span 45 minutes (35 minutes speakers’ presentation/ 10 minutes open discussion period).

To arrange for a Whitecrow Village Panel Presentation at your school or in your district, please click here to contact us.

Whitecrow Village team leaders routinely advocate within the school system on behalf of children, youth and families.  Our team leaders are available to help initiate and sustain a dialogue around the school-based needs of a child or youth in which the student, the family, the school and the school community can all offer their perspective and insights.  Bringing to the table a background in education complimented by recent experiences with the child or youth succeeding in a supported environment, the Whitecrow Village team leaders can offer creative, success-engendering suggestions as schools, parents, and students work together to develop strategies for effective support.

Whitecrow Village team leaders have been sought out by students, parents, teachers, and school districts to advocate in a variety of settings.  In addition, students often ask Whitecrow Village team leaders for support in communicating their needs and sharing their perspective and experiences to friends, classmates, and peers.  Whitecrow Village team leaders who are affected by FASD often act as mentors, sharing their stories, time and experiences with children and youth and in doing so, modeling the effective communication and life skills that have supported their own success.