Building Bridges to Success: Strengthening Behavior and Academic Foundations
July 22-24 2025 UWF Fort Walton Beach Campus
We’re thrilled to welcome you to three powerful days of learning, connection, and collaboration as we continue building bridges to support all students in Okaloosa County. This year’s institute is designed to equip educators, paraprofessionals, and service providers with strategies that not only address behavior but also strengthen academic outcomes and inclusive practices.
July 22: Blueprint for Success – Laying the Groundwork for Effective Instruction 🔹 Focus: Foundational teaching strategies, explicit instruction, and curriculum unpacking. July 23: Bridging Behavior – Strategies for Connection & Classroom Success 🔹 Focus: Behavior supports, PBIS, social-emotional learning, and engagement strategies. July 24: Pathways to Inclusion – Making Learning Accessible for Every Student 🔹 Focus: Universal Design for Learning (UDL), assistive technology, and inclusive practices.
Thank you for joining us on this journey towards building a brighter future for our students. Warm regards, Student Intervention Services
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Presented by FDLRS, this session will guide educators through practical, research-based strategies to differentiate instruction and meet the diverse needs of all learners. Learn how to adjust content, process, and product to ensure access and engagement for every student—whether they're struggling, advanced, or somewhere in between. Through interactive discussion and classroom-ready examples, participants will explore how differentiation can create inclusive, student-centered learning environments that promote growth and success.
This session focuses on implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) at the classroom level to create a consistent, supportive environment for young learners. Participants will explore practical, age-appropriate strategies for teaching expectations, reinforcing positive behavior, and responding to misbehavior in a proactive and respectful way. Designed with elementary students in mind, this session will help teachers build routines, foster strong relationships, and promote a classroom culture where every child feels safe, valued, and ready to learn.
Part 2 of 2 (Part 1 July 22) In this session, the Florida Inclusion Network will guide participants through the foundations of effective collaborative teaching. The 6-hour professional learning course is designed for teachers who provide in-class supports to students with disabilities in general education settings. It fulfills the requirements of Section 1003.03, Florida Statutes (F.S.), specifically the subsection mandating training in team-teaching methods within one year of assignment. Throughout the session, participants will engage with content from six comprehensive modules, which include: · Laws, Language, and Research · Communication · Roles and Responsibilities The course is eligible for Special Education recertification points through the district’s professional learning department. Participants must complete the full 6-hour course and the subsequent follow-up activity to earn these points.
In this session, participants will explore proactive, relationship-centered strategies for promoting positive behavior among middle and high school students. Learn how to establish clear expectations, reinforce constructive behaviors, and respond to challenges in a way that fosters student ownership and accountability. This session will highlight practical tools and systems that support a positive classroom culture, reduce disruptions, and build trust—ultimately helping students stay engaged, motivated, and connected to their learning community.