Professional Development Courses 2024-2025
The Transition Improvement Grant (TIG) offers professional development through a range of online courses designed to enhance transition practices. These courses provide flexible, self-paced learning opportunities tailored to meet different professional needs:
- Self-Paced Macro Courses – Comprehensive, in-depth learning experiences designed to provide a broad understanding of critical transition topics. These courses allow participants to dive deeply into a subject matter, covering extensive material which supports professional growth.
- Self-Paced Micro Courses – Short, focused courses targeting specific skills or knowledge areas, perfect for professionals looking for quick, actionable insights they can apply immediately. These courses provide flexibility for learners who want to enhance their expertise in targeted areas without the time commitment of a full-length course.
All courses are free, non-credit, and hosted on the UW-System Canvas platform through TIG’s partnership with the College of Community Engagement and Professions.
Click on the Course Title to register for the course, and on Course Information for detailed information about the course. In the event you do not have a canvas account, sign up at https://uws-ce.instructure.com/register and enter the course join code listed within the course information below.
On the next page, click the blue Enroll Here button and continue on the University of Wisconsin Systems page. Then select UW Continuing Education Student to create an account and/or enroll in the course. If you have a Canvas account, simply click on the course title to enroll.
Job Coaching for the Paraprofessional
Course Information
Course Join Code: B7YX9J
Primary Instructor: Shelley Burke Otto
Course Description:
Equipped with job coaching skills, paraprofessionals can help students develop essential work habits, navigate work expectations, and build the confidence needed to succeed in the workplace. Through this online self-paced introductory course, participants will gain an understanding of special education definitions and policies, strengths and weaknesses as a job coach, strategies to build positive relationships, communication with the student’s support system, task analysis methods, prompts and accommodations to promote fading practices, and strategies to promote positive behavior in the workplace. This course will offer videos, reading materials, tools, and examples from the field. Reflection activities will also be included to assist in connecting learning back to the participant’s district, strategies, mindset, and growth as a job coach. This course has been created by the Wisconsin Transition Improvement Grant.
Career and Life Readiness
Course Information
Primary Instructor: Pam Jenson
The Course Join Codes are provided with each micro-course by clicking the Career and Life Readiness title above.
Youth with disabilities are underrepresented in both work and postsecondary education compared to their same-age peers. The Career and Life Readiness mirco courses aim to address this disparity by equipping educators with the tools and strategies to connect students with disabilities to opportunities that prepare them for career and life readiness upon exit from high school. Click on the Career and Life Readiness link above to learn more about each of the 10 micro courses.
Transition Planning
Course Information
There are two transition planning courses available. Introduction to the Postsecondary Transition Plan (PTP) is now available and the Implementing the PTP course will be available soon. Read about each course below.
Primary Instructor: Jenny Jacobs
Transition Planning is essential as it equips students with disabilities and their families with the skills, resources, and supports needed to navigate the significant shift from school to adulthood. The “Introduction to the Postsecondary Transition Plan (PTP)” micro course provides foundational knowledge for special education teachers and directors, particularly those who are new or hold emergency licenses, to build capacity in creating a compliant postsecondary transition plan for students with IEPs. Participants will explore key components of the PTP, including legal requirements and best practices. The “Implementing the Postsecondary Transition Plan (PTP)” macro course extends this knowledge, offering practical strategies for implementing transition planning. It focuses on effective practices in writing and carrying out the PTP throughout the transition process, while collaborating with families, educators, and community resources to ensure successful outcomes.
Course Completion
Use the form below to log the courses you have completed. Completed courses will appear on your dashboard. If you don’t see the course you have completed, please contact us.