Learning Across Broward Programs: Opportunities for Growth and Advancement

Broward County offers a diverse range of learning programs designed to cater to various educational needs, from adult education and continuing education to professional development for educators. These programs, offered by institutions like Broward College and the Broward Teachers Union, aim to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary for personal and professional success. Additionally, the Broward Education Foundation plays a crucial role in supporting these initiatives through funding, scholarships, and volunteer opportunities.

Adult and Community Education at Broward College

Broward College's Adult and Community Education program provides accessible pathways for individuals seeking to enhance their skills and pursue higher education. The program offers FREE short-term courses designed to build confidence and equip students with in-demand skills.

Key Features:

Tuition-Free Training: Participating students receive tuition-free training in various trades.
Financial Support: All fees and books are paid for as students pursue a trade.
College Credit Potential: Students have the opportunity to earn credits that may be applied to Broward College's technical certificates, associate's, or bachelor's degrees.
GED Integration: Students can work towards their GED while simultaneously pursuing a trade.

Transitioning to Credit Programs

Broward College facilitates a smooth transition from non-credit to credit programs through articulation agreements and prior learning assessments. These assessments recognize learning obtained through work experience, employment-related training programs, military training, and intensive self-directed focused learning, allowing students to accelerate their college credit certificate or degree progress.

Professional Development for Educators through the Broward Teachers Union (BTU)

The Broward Teachers Union offers a variety of professional development courses designed to enhance the skills and knowledge of educators in Broward County Public Schools. These courses cover a wide range of topics, from classroom management to understanding diverse student needs.

Classroom Management and Behavior Support:

Classroom Management: Classroom Expectations and Routines: This course helps participants create and implement successful classroom expectations and routines to promote a conducive learning environment. Participants learn to establish and reinforce routines and behavioral norms and to collaborate with learners to create positive classroom expectations.
Behavior Management Skills for ESPs: This course provides tools and practices that involve multiple levels of interventions, including school-wide, class-wide, small-group, and individual behavioral supports. Participants learn different strategies and techniques on how to change, correct, and maintain desired behavior.
NEA Blended Learning Course: Classroom Management: This course is designed for educators who want to improve their response to challenging student behaviors.

Understanding and Supporting Diverse Learners:

A Closer Look at Autism: This course allows participants to have a better understanding regarding students who have autism.
The Accessible Literacy Framework (ALF): This instructional framework is designed to facilitate the literacy needs of individual students with complex communication needs. It is a research-based, systematic, student-driven approach to reading. ALF assesses goals developed for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), focuses on teaching support for those goals, monitors student’s progress, and adjusts lessons based on student performance. The ALF framework provides practitioners with an instructional approach for a population that traditionally has not had access to literacy instruction.
ESE Classroom Strategies: The intention of this course is to continue the work that has already been completed in the Advanced Level in a deeper fashion.
Managing Anti-Social Behavior: Participants will learn research-based strategies to reduce and/or prevent the occurrence of disruptive or dangerous behavior. Participants will learn how the antisocial actions of a small, but powerful, number of students in school not only put their own academic success at risk but also threaten the learning environment for everyone.
Diversity and Dignity in the Workplace : In this course participants will explore America's immigrant diversity and our diverse heritages and analyze how children learn prejudice.

Other Key Areas of Focus:

Foundations of Effective Teaching: Participants will begin the process to learn and practice the fundamental aspects of teaching and learning that are relevant for teachers and classroom paraprofessionals in all grade levels and subject areas, considering other issues students may be facing outside of academics and their impact on students.
Work Shouldn’t Hurt: This course will focus on ergonomic related injuries and potential injuries from being assaulted by students or parents or other family members. This course will provide information on how to report a case, what to do if admin doesn’t allow you to report and the role of your union.

Broward Education Foundation: Supporting Educational Excellence

The Broward Education Foundation is the only 501(c)3 charitable organization solely dedicated to supporting Broward County Public Schools. It provides crucial resources and support to students and teachers through various initiatives.

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Key Initiatives:

Innovative Teaching Grants: The Foundation supports PreK-12 teachers with funding for impactful classroom ideas.
Scholarships for Students: The Foundation helps students achieve higher education goals with financial assistance.
Volunteer & Support: The Foundation offers opportunities for individuals to get involved and support its mission.

Events and Community Engagement

The Broward Education Foundation hosts exciting events throughout the year to celebrate education, athletics, and community excellence. These events provide opportunities for community members to come together and support the Foundation's mission. One such event is the Innovative Teacher Hootenanny.

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