Join Mike Massimino, former NASA astronaut, as he relates his time in space with the feelings of isolation and loneliness that many of our teachers and students are experiencing in this distance/virtual learning environment. Mike’s message is a reminder to all of us, that in spite of the physical distancing, we can (and, should!) stay “connected” to one another.

SPEAKERS:
Mike Massimino (Columbia University: New York, NY)

Students with learning challenges can be particularly impacted by the transition out of high school and for some, the transition to online learning has compounded the struggle toward college readiness. This presentation will review Navigator PREP, a virtual transition program that works with students and their parents up to nine months before entering college. This proactive college readiness counseling initiative at Beacon College helps to increase success and decrease attrition for neurodiverse students entering the postsecondary environment. The results of the program also have important implications for ways educators can support students who learn differently in their transition out of high school. We will discuss ideas for educators on methods of social instruction, increasing self-awareness, building executive functioning and identifying strategies to enhance emotional awareness and regulation in a virtual learning environment.

SPEAKERS:
Alexander Morris-Wood (Beacon College: Leesburg, FL), Mary-Anne Primack (Beacon College: Leesburg, FL)