Join Our Mailing List
Email Address:


Unsubscribe
Seminars

Workshops / Training – Your Site or Ours

Suggested Workshop Topics

New Teacher Training – “What You Didn’t Learn in College About Managing a Classroom”

Teacher Training – “You’re Going to Love This Student…But First, Here Are Some Strategies for Teaching and Understanding Your Student with Asperger Syndrome”

Paraprofessional Training – The Basics

Paraprofessional Training – Specific to Autism Spectrum Disorders

Paraprofessional Training – Specific to Students on IEP’s for E/BD and SLD

Teacher Training – “Including Children with Asperger Syndrome in Your Classroom”

Teacher Training – “Including Children Who Have IEP’s in Your Classroom”

Teacher Specific – Training on Classroom Management for General and Special Education Students

 

Credentials

Debra Schipper – B.A. Secondary Education—English, German, and Journalism; M.Ed. Educational Psychology—Emotional Behavioral Disorders; Autism Spectrum Disorder Specialist — West Metro Learning Connections ’ Chief Executive Officer, Director, Social Skills Therapist, Teacher, Consultant, and Trainer

Debra has been a professional educator in general and special education for over twenty-five years. Debra teaches, coaches, and supports children through young adults, and their families, with autism spectrum disorders and related conditions. With experience and expertise in elementary through high schools, Debra also teaches and prepares others to work effectively with these special young people. 

 

Workshop Schedule

 

LOCATION

DATE

TITLE

West Metro Learning Connections, Inc.--Excelsior Various May 9 - June 3, 2007 Spring Seminar Series

(Download Registration Form Here)
MNOLA May 14, 2007  
Minnetonka Schools SEAC Mar. 13, 2007 Fostering Friendships
Wayzata Schools Mar. 1, 2007 ASD Strategies
Paul Bunyon Education Co-op Brainerd, MN Aug. 22, 2006 Social Skills--Measurement and Evaluation / Strategies
West Metro Learning Connections, Inc. May 10, 2006 Proactive Behavior Management and Other Strategies for Home and School
West Metro Learning Connections, Inc. May 9, 2006 Teaching Social Communication & Interaction Skills
Metro ECSU Jan. 28, 2006 Planning, Implementing, and Facilitating Social Skills Therapy (“Friendship”) Groups to Enhance and Develop Social Cognition, Skills, Interactions, and Communication

West Metro Learning Connections, Inc.

Dec. 9, 2005

Teaching Social Communication & Interaction Skills

Autism Society of MN

Nov. 20, 2005

Teaching Social Skills

Alexander Center

Oct. 5, 2005

Planning, Implementing, and Facilitating Social Skills Therapy (“Friendship”) Groups to Enhance and Develop Social Cognition, Skills, Interactions, and Communication

Capernaum – New Hope

 

 

Capernaum — Edina

 

 

Autism Society of MN

Feb. 9, 2005

Social:  Cognition, Skills, Interactions, and Communication

NE Metro ISD 916

White Bear

Oct.13, 2005

Assessing and Teaching Social Interaction Skills

West Metro Learning Connections, Inc.

June 14, 2005

Teaching Social Communication & Interaction Skills

Wayzata Schools

Oct.24, 2003

 

Tourette Syndrome Association of MN

Oct. 9, 2003

Building Social Communication and Interaction Skills in Children with Tourette Syndrome

Autism Society of MN

April 2, 2003

Social Interaction Skills:  A Model for Structuring and Implementing Programs

Minnetonka Public Schools—Paraprofessionals

Mar. 7, 2003

Paraprofessional Staff Development Workshop

Minnetonka Public Schools—Social Workers

Nov. 27, 2002

Social Interaction Skills:  A Model for Structuring and Implementing Programs

Southwest Sub-Region Group

Nov.19, 2002

Social Interaction Skills:  A Model for Structuring and Implementing Programs

Autism Society of MN

May 3, 2002

Social Interaction Skills

Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health

Apr.23-24, 2002

 

 

 

Jill D. Kuzma – M.A. Education-Communicative Disorders, B.A. in Communications.  West Metro Learning Connections Director of Curriculum Research and Development.   Jill has ten years experience as a public school speech-language pathologist, autism specialist, and social skill group facilitator with the Rosemount/Apple Valley/Eagan school district (ISD196).   In ISD 196, Jill works daily with thirty ASD students directly teaching social skills, building social thinking/perspective-taking skills, and speech-language skills especially related to abstract language, literacy, and problem solving.

 

Jill has written and presented training seminars in the areas of: General overview of autism spectrum disorders, Proactive Behavioral Strategies, Neurobiological/Cognitive Differences in ASD, Communication Differences, ASD Learning Strategies, Social Skill Strategies, the Use of Visuals, a twelve hour training program for new autism staff in ISD 196.   Jill is also a representative for southern metro educators in autism with the Metro ECSU Low Incidence Project for Autism Spectrum Disorders serving to plan local training opportunities for southern metro families and educators. 

 

Our Site

WMLC is located in downtown Excelsior within walking distance to multiple restaurants, shops, antique dealers, and Lake Minnetonka .  Space is available for business or social events.  Free public parking is located across the street.  We have a handicapped accessible entrance and restrooms, as well as a comfortably furnished waiting area.  Kitchen facilities, a formal dining room, AV equipment, filtered water and coffee are available.  Twenty-four hour access is available via lock box. 

SwanShip Seminar Room:     810 square foot room which has a maximum capacity of fifty-four people.  The length of the room is thirty feet, the width is twenty-seven feet and the ceiling is twelve feet.  Cloth covered armchairs.  Sturdy, square and rectangular tables;.  Break-out space is available.  $170/day, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. or $25.00/hr., one hour minimum, 10% discount for educational and non-profit groups.

Therapy/Office/Meeting Space:  Various rooms are available to rent for $10.00-$25.00 per hour, one hour minimum.

Sensory Room                                                             $10.00

Den (Up to 8 people)                                                  $20.00

Therapy or Office                                                        $15.00

Dining Room                                                                $20.00

Kitchen                                                                         $10.00

Kitchen/Dining Room Combination                          $25.00

Game Room                                                                  $20.00