Have Dreams 2020-2021 Gratitude Report

KATE ANDERSON is the principal at Washington Elementary of East Maine School District 63 and has been a valued partner with Have Dreams for many years. Her staff takes part in our professional trainings and Washington Elementary hosts Have Dreams’ multi-day Classroom Set-Up professional training.

A SCHOOL PRINCIPAL’S GRATITUDE for Professional Development Training

All of the special education teachers, teachers, teacher assistants and related service staff have participated in a variety of trainings through Have Dreams. Our self-contained STIL (Structured Teaching for Independent Learning) teachers attend Have Dreams' Five-Day Classroom Set-Up Training in the summer before they start working with children in August if they have not received formal training. Staff need to understand the complexities and uniqueness of each person with ASD and how to teach social skills, communication and independence. East Maine School District 63 believes that every child should have high quality education and [Have Dreams] training allows teachers to implement structured teaching for students with ASD in their schools. This structure allows students to have a predictable environment with individualized instruction which reduces negative behaviors. Students are able to increase their understanding and skills since teachers are able to provide support to make their environment more comprehensible for them. Have Dreams has had other schools or districts observe Washington’s STIL classrooms and adapted specials. The students have excelled since the staff have a solid pedagogy, in part to the training they received from Have Dreams. I have attended the Five-Day training as a teacher but I think all administrators need to attend a Structured Teaching Training in order to know what instruction and the classroom environment should look like. The job-embedded professional development will positively change your programs. Teachers feel supported by the consultant and you will see students blossoming academically and socially. The Have Dreams consultant will work with your special education team, general education teachers and special teachers. You get what you pay for and the job-embedded professional development and continuous support is the best service Have Dreams offers!

Students have excelled since the staff have a solid pedagogy, in part to the training they received from Have Dreams.”

— Kate Anderson Principal, Washington Elementary of East Maine School District 63

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