A professional development training that I did and I felt has been very effective and helpful, and has made a difference in my practice is Counselling Skills.

I found that the knowledge and skills that I gained from this training has helped me to promote my children's learning and well-being. It has helped to increase my ability to become more emphatic and a good listener as well as to understand not only my children's verbal behaviour but also their non-verbal message, facial expressions and body language.

Many a time our children encounter academic, personal, and interpersonal challenges and these can have a negative impact on their learning, development, and academic performance. Special education needs children and children whose home language is other than English have to deal not only with their normal development issues but also with concerns associated with their special learning needs.  

With the understanding that teaching and learning are connected and cannot take place without each other, and that learning cannot take place without addressing the emotional, mental and physical needs of my children, this professional development training  gave me the basic knowledge and skills that I needed to help all my children reach their academic potentials and capabilities. it also helped me to better serve the diversity of my children and their families and those with special education needs, thereby helping to create  strong, happy and successful learners.