T H E E VO LU T I O N O F A 3 - D AY W O R K S H O P:“ G L A S S H A L F - F U L L : P O S I T I V E A P P R O A C H E S T O A L T E R N A T I V E

E D U C A T I O N ”

Justin S. Rubenstein, Ed.S, NCSP, CBIS

BCIU #22 School Psychologist

BrainSTEPS Consultant

THE “WHAT”

A 3-day workshop for Ombudsman Educational Services, Bucks, Delaware, Philadelphia Counties.

Alternative Educational Program which serves the needs of at-risk teens.

Alternative Education staff (both new and seasoned) who work with this challenging population.

THE CHALLENGES

How to cover 3 full days worth of material.

How to make the information meaningful and applicable.

How to keep participants engaged.

THE PROCESS

Extensive research and planning, taking roughly 40 hours (Yes, I am a bit slower).

Putting the research into powerpoint slides that were engaging, manageable, and leading.

Revising, revising, revising

THE RESULTS

The successful completion of the 3 day workshop.

Staff feeling as though they can extend the content to the students with whom they work.

Positive feedback from participants regarding the content and delivery.

Constructive feedback from participants (hugely important).

LESSONS LEARNED

I can actually plan and deliver a meaningful 3-day workshop.

Gauging your audience is very important.

Staying true to your personality and sense of humor can be beneficial.

Sticking with your original plans may be beneficial, even if participants are a bit tired.