General Collaborative Event Information

Only an SP can RSVP for a BTSA collaborative event. This is to ensure that the PT and SP have spoken to each other and arranged to come to the event together, as required.

2. How do I register for a BTSA collaborative event?

If you are an SP (as noted above), you will need to obtain an RSVP form for the event you are registering for. RSVP forms for the next series of events are always available at the event previous. Some of the RSVP forms are available on our website for download (see BTSA Collaborative Events page). You can also contact the BTSA office (see Contact Us page).

RSVPs must arrive to the BTSA Office on the forms provided. Faxing your form to the BTSA office or turning it in at an event are the preferred methods of registration. RSVPs may not be phoned in or emailed.

3. What is expected of me at a collaborative event?

Arrive with the goal of being seated and ready to begin when the event time is scheduled to start. The parking gates at the SCOE lot do not open to the general public on weekdays until 8:15am and parking at SCOE is limited. You will need a parking permit on your dashboard in order to be allowed to park in the SCOE lots. If you forget to bring yours, they are usually available at the sign in table inside the event. Parking is usually more abundant on weekends. Please allow for these factors when deciding on what time to arrive. Additional weekday event parking can be found for no cost in the 12th street garage if you tell the security guard that you are here for a SCOE event.

Please bring your Formative Assessment Binder to all events. Arrive with appropriate assignments completed. Write legibly and complete all forms and assignments thoroughly. Read the Induction Handbook you will be given. It is short and will answer many of your most important questions.

Please have your cell phone off during events. If it must be on, please have it on vibrate and go outside of the room to take any calls. In the Peterson Event Center, please exit the building to talk on the phone as conversations in the hallway carry and disturb the event inside. Please keep phone calls limited and short in duration. Collaborative events are mandatory and the event time should be respected.

You must sign in at ALL events. If you do not sign in, there is no proof that you attended that event. It is YOUR responsibility to make sure that you sign in. Those arriving late (after the speaker has begun) will be noted on the sign in sheet.

Be attentive to the information presented and courteous to speakers, staff and your fellow attendees.

4. Why do the sessions sometimes close or get cancelled?

When we reach maximum seating capacity for a certain session of an event, that session is then closed and no further RSVP's will be accepted. Sessions sometimes get cancelled when RSVP's for it are so low as for it to be impractical to hold the session.

5. Why do we have to RSVP?

RSVP's are essential for informing BTSA Support Staff when we've reached maximum capacity for an event so that we may close it in advance rather than having to turn people away at the door. It is also how we get numbers with which to order the proper amount of food and bring enough materials for all attending.

6. What do I do if I can’t make an event I have RSVP’ed for? Who do I contact?

Please contact your Support Provider and the BTSA Office as soon as possible. You will need to choose a new date to attend the event and have your Support Provider submit a new RSVP. If all event dates have passed, you and your Support Provider will need to make an appointment with Lisa Tiwater or Christine Sisco to make arrangements to receive the information presented at the event.

7. What do I do if my Support Provider cannot attend an event with me?

While having your Support Provider with you is very necessary to making the experience as beneficial as possible, your Support Provider can make arrangements with another Support Provider from your district to work with you.

New and Advanced Coach Training

1. Who should go to which training?

All brand new Support Providers and Support Providers who are just now serving a second year must attend coach training. SPs wanting a refresher may also sign up, but are not required to attend. New SPs should sign up for one of the dates for New Coach Training DAY 1 which will encompass covering reflective conversations and coaching skills for new coaches. The SPs who are serving their second year or refreshing their skills should sign up for one of the dates for the Advanced Coach Training DAY 1 which will encompass advanced coaching skills. ALL MUST SIGN UP FOR A DAY 2. Day 2 focuses on the binder entries. SPs can choose from the dates for the binder entries for YEAR 1 PTs or for the dates for binder entries for YEAR 2 or ECO PTs depending upon who which year Participating Teacher(s) they are supporting.

Orientation

1. What happened to the Information Meeting?

The Information Meeting is now called the Orientation Meeting.

2. Who must attend an Orientation Meeting?

All SPs and PTs must attend an Orientation BEFORE attending a Kick Off or Blast Off event.

3. What do I do if I missed the Orientation Meeting?

If there is still an Orientation Meeting date available, then have your SP fill out a new Orientation RSVP and attend the meeting of your choice. If there are not any meeting dates available, please be sure to contact the BTSA Office immediately and describe your situation. You will be asked to review the Orientation Meeting information with your SP and fill out the appropriate paperwork.

1. What do I do if I already finished “base BTSA” (the two year binder with the aid of a SP) but still need AKI and CTAP?

Please go to the SB 1209 AKI Transitional Cohort page to read about your new Induction requirements and to register for the next available cohort.

Early Completion Option (ECO)

1. Do I qualify for the Early Completion Option?

Please see the ECO eligibility requirements in the BTSA Induction Handbook and talk with your Lead Support Provider/District Coordinator.

Confidentiality

1. What is the BTSA confidentiality policy? Can my SP talk to my principal about me?

BTSA is very strict in their confidentiality policy. At no time should your SP or any one from the BTSA program be able to talk to any one about you and/or your performance in the classroom. They have been trained on how to handle delicate situations so as to protect your relationship. Administrators have also been informed about his confidentiality and its importance in the formative assessment system.

2. What do I do if I think my SP has been sharing information with my administrator, or if I don’t feel this is the best SP match up for me?

First steps would be to approach your Lead SP and have a confidential conversation with them about the situation. If you are uncomfortable with this, or your SP is the Lead SP for your district, please feel free to contact the BTSA Office. You can have a confidential conversation with the BTSA director or consultant. You can just use them as a sounding board, or ask them to take action. The degree to which the situation is investigated and handled is purely at your discretion.

BTSA Online Registration and Survey