Audience

PreK – 12 educators, counselors, administrators and specialists

Presenter Name(s)

Theresa Melito-Conners, PhD

Presenter Bio(s)

Theresa Melito-Conners, Ph.D. (Dr. MC), a special education administrator and the founder of Dr. MC’s Self-Care Cabaret. The Self-Care Cabaret encompasses workshops, a podcast, and educational curricula —  focused on accessible, realistic strategies that equip and empower. Dr. MC holds PhD in educational leadership from Lesley University. In addition to her doctorate, she is a licensed K-12 counselor with a master’s of education in school counseling from Salem State University and a B.A. in theatre studies from Emerson College. A recognized MA DESE PDP Provider. Her thought leadership is evident in recently published articles such as ASCD’s Educational Leadership Magazine, Edutopia, Exceptional Parent, and School Administrator’s Magazine. She has a growing social community @DrMCselfcare on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn and lives in Massachusetts. 

Description

Backdrop to Success is an engaging, on-demand professional development course for educators, administrators, school counselors, social workers, and paraprofessionals. Discover the impact trauma has on brain development, the importance of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), and dispel common misconceptions. Then, dive into academic instruction techniques and relationship-building strategies for working with students impacted by trauma. This version of the course will also explore an educator’s self-care practice and resilience skills and how both translate into student success. By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define trauma and recognize its potential impact on students’ behavior, learning, and well-being.
• Understand the basics of brain development and the neuroscience of trauma.
• Create safe classroom environments that promote students’ sense of security and belonging.
• Explain methods to cultivate resilience in both students and yourself, fostering a culture of emotional growth and self-care.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define trauma and recognize its potential impact on students’ behavior, learning, and well-being. Understand the basics of brain development and the neuroscience of trauma.
• Create safe classroom environments that promote students’ sense of security and belonging.
• Explain methods to cultivate resilience in both students and yourself, fostering a culture of emotional growth and self-care.

Synchronous / Asynchronous

Asynchronous & Synchronous

Location

Asynchronous & Live and Recorded Zoom Sessions 

Dates & Times

Asynchronous modules between July 7 – August 8, 2025;

Three (1) hour Live zoom sessions on Tuesdays, July 8th, July 22nd & August 5th; 9:00am – 10:00am

Zoom sessions will be recorded.

Final assignment due by August 8th

PDPs

20 PDPs

Credit

Pending approval from Worcester State University (WSU), participants can apply for (1) optional graduate credit for an additional fee of $125 payable to WSU.

Cost

$295 ACCEPT members/$355 non-members

Registration Deadline

June 30, 2025