Tuesday Tea Hosted by CSB

Teachers helping Teachers: A place to ask questions and share resources with your professional colleagues. We look forward to you joining us for a collaborative discussion to learn tools and techniques, every Tuesday from 3:30pm to 4:30pm Pacific Time.

Register for Tuesday Tea Hosted by CSB External link opens in new window or tab.

YouTube Playlist of Tuesday Tea Recordings External link opens in new window or tab.

Upcoming Presentations:

All sessions for the 2020-2021 academic year have been completed. Please check back for future sessions!

Previous Presentations:

Date Presenter(s) Title Description Recording
9/15 Scott Jaffray, Assistive Technology Specialist & Vanessa Herndon, Low Vision Coordinator Setting up a Virtual Classroom for Best Access Come get and share ideas for setting up a Zoom virtual classroom that enables students with a visual impairment to take full advantage of distance learning.
9/22 Scott Jaffray, Assistive Technology Specialist & Vanessa Herndon, Low Vision Coordinator Zoom with VoiceOver Come see how your student can use a screen reader to navigate the Zoom window with VoiceOver on an iPad.
9/29 Stephanie Herlich, Assessment Center Coordinator Engaging Families & Paraprofessionals in Remote Learning How can we best engage families and paraprofessionals in remote learning? Please come with your ideas and let's all learn from each other. The new Beginning Braille webinar, a free 6 part YouTube series, designed to introduce parents, caregivers, and paraprofessionals to UEB will be demonstrated. Resources for paraprofessionals and families to use during remote instruction will also be share.
10/13 Yurika Vu, Assistive Technology Coordinator & Vanessa Herndon, Low Vision Coordinator Zoom with Jaws for TVIs Come see how your student can use JAWS to navigate Zoom on a computer and how to best instruct them to independently participate in meetings!
10/20 Yurika Vu, Assistive Technology Coordinator & Stephanie Herlich, Assessment Center Coordinator How-to Guides on Remote Braille Teaching and Learning Environment Overview of "How-to" guides and sheets created by the CSB AT Team on how to teach/support remote braille learning via Zoom. Both from the teacher perspective and student perspective for set up and step by step instruction.
10/27 May Nguyen, Assessment Center School Psychologist Free Mental Health Resources In this time of so much uncertainty, it is important as educators, parents, and caregivers to support the emotional well-being of our students and colleagues as well as our own mental health. Join us as we review various free resources for mental health supports on PsychCircular External link opens in new window or tab.

11/3

 Max Avendano, Transition Classroom Teacher & Scott Jaffray, Assistive Technology Specialist Google Docs with JAWS The basics of using Google Docs with a screen-reader and braille display will be demonstrated. Resources for independent practice will be distributed and discussion will focus on tips, tricks, and other related topics.
11/10 Stephanie Herlich, Assessment Center Coordinator & May Nguyen, Assessment Center School Psychologist Importance of Aligning VI & O&M Goals with Common Core State Standards It is easy to lose sight of Common Core State Standards in technology, reading, writing and mathematics when working hard to meet IEP goals and the ECC. Are your students really meeting those standards? What are the standards and where can I find them? Why is it important to consider the Standards if I am a TVI and/or O&M Specialist? Join us for a discussion about the Common Core State Standards in Technology, Reading, Writing, and Mathematics and how they apply to students with visual impairments.
12/1 Emily Coleman, Superintendent for the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired A Bill of Rights for All Children with Visual Impairment and their Families Join us with Emily Coleman, mother of a blind child, Superintendent at TSBVI, and one of the co-authors of the Bill of Rights for All Children with Visual Impairment and their Families in a discussion about the document created by the Council of Schools for the Blind (COSB) and the Association for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired (AERBVI) and learn how it can be used as a platform for every child's success story.
12/8 Adrian Amandi, Director of the California Education Resource Center at CSB Workload Analysis (we used to call it Caseload Analysis) Caseloads are made up of various types of students, requiring different kinds of assistance, at different stages of their lives. Depending on each student there are various factors that need to be taken into consideration including direct and consult responsibilities, preparation, assessment, team collaboration, and travel. Join us to review a variety of tools and bring your own ideas and experiences for how you have successfully managed your workload and/or how to present solutions to your team and administrators.
1/12/21 Lauren Lieberman, Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Institute of Movement Studies for Individuals with Visual Impairments & Molly Armstrong, Adaptive Physical Education Teacher at CSB Universal Design for Learning Considerations for Providing Instruction in Home and School Settings for Blind and Visually Impaired Students Incorporating students who are blind or low vision into your physical education class and activities is easier than you think. It starts with giving them the opportunity to fail or even the risk of getting hurt. Allowing students the opportunity to try something with appropriate accommodations provides them the Dignity of Risk that will improve their self-determination and self-esteem. This presentation will focus on opportunities for kids with visual impairments to participate in Universally Designed P.E. or A.P.E. classes, build confidence, and get fit. Easy accommodations will be discussed to provide access in a general education environment or adapted setting. This discussion focuses on the ability of educators, whether TVI's, O&M's, A.P.E teachers, or mainstream P.E. teachers to become change agents in the education of youth with visual impairments.
1/19 Stephanie Herlich, CSB Assessment Center Coordinator, Adrian Amandi, Director of the California Education Resource Center at CSB, Stacey Colley, Orientation and Mobility Specialist at CSB, May Nguyen, CSB Assessment Center School Psychologist, and Allease Glamore, Diagnostic Center, Southern California School Psychologist. What's in Your Assessment Toolbox? Whether you are conducting remote, in-person, or hybrid evaluations, there are many assessment tools to consider. Join us in a discussion about some of the latest assessment tools, and share your favorites. We will discuss tools and strategies for FVA, LMA, O&M, AT, and psychoeducational evaluations.
1/26 Michael W. Deolloz
COMS, Mesa Public Schools &
Ammar Tarin, 12th-grade student, Mesa Public Schools		 How to Use Public Transportation as a Blind Person

The California School for the Blind has partnered with the Northern Chapter of the California Association of Orientation and Mobility Specialists (CAOMS) to make 1 ACVREP Credit available for live participants of this webinar at no charge. To learn more about CAOMS, other upcoming CAOMS events, or learn about CAOMS Membership please visit the CAOMS website External link opens in new window or tab. .

In this webinar, we will be discussing "tips and tricks" about how you can use public transportation as a blind person. We will be discussing the 7 major components of bus riding: 1) Planning for your tip, 2) Locating the bus stop, 3) Boarding the Bus, 4) Riding the bus (communicate with the driver, appropriate seating, maintaining orientation), 5) Signaling to stop, 6) Deboarding the bus, 7) Finding your final destination. You will hear from a COMS instructor as well as a blind high-school 12th grader who uses public transportation regularly.
2/2 Sergio Oliva, Associate Vice President, Programs and Services, Braille Institute & Matthew Beckwith, National and Youth Programs Manager, Braille Institute
Rachel Antoine, National Programs Coordinator, Braille Institute		 Promoting Braille Literacy through the Braille Challenge and Special Collection Join us to learn about two FREE signature programs of the Braille Institute and how they support braille literacy for students of all ages and their families. These programs were developed to motivate students to practice and hone their braille literacy skills, which are essential to academic and employment success. Hear about how the Braille Challenge has adapted to continue supporting braille literacy during the pandemic and how Special Collection connects the dots between parents and early braille learning.
2/9 Thomas Simpson, Western Regional Sales Manager, HIMS & Greg Stilson, Head of Global Innovation, APH On-board braille with QWERTY and hybrid keyboards: What to consider when choosing between the Mantis and the QBraille XL
 To get students to learn braille they need access to it! Many students using speech stop reading with their fingers and just listen to the screen reader. The QBraille and Mantis are products that can keep our students reading by providing students with on-board braille, providing easy access to computers and tablets, and encouraging braille usage. Join Greg Stilson, APH, and Thomas Simpson, HIMS, for an overview of each product and a discussion on how different students would benefit from each device. At the end of the workshop you will know more about each product and have a better understanding on what to consider when matching the proper device with your students.
2/16 Jennifer Simmons, Director of Student Services, CSB, Angela Martyn, Principal of Education, CSB, Shannon Johns, Principal of Career and Vocational Programs, CSB, Adrian Amandi, Director of the California Education Resource Center, CSB, Gina Ouellette, Superintendent, CSB Considering CSB: Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Applying for Admission to the California School for the Blind Ever wondered about what your students might gain by attending the California School for the Blind (CSB)? CSB's Admissions Review Committee will discuss why, when, and how to refer a student to CSB, and answer participant questions about CSB's programs and the enrollment process.
2/23 Marc Gillard, O&M Services Manager, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Angela Smith, Orientation & Mobility Program Specialist, Guide Dogs for the Blind To Cane or Canine? Many factors need to be considered when making the personal decision to use a cane or a guide dog for one's primary mobility aid. Choosing the Guide Dog lifestyle comes not only with enhanced mobility and self-confidence, companionship, increased and changed social interactions, but also comes added time and responsibility of daily care for your guide dog, a two-week commitment away from home for training with a guide dog, and do not forget about all of that dog hair!

We are committed to assisting blind and visually impaired youth and the community around them be as well informed and prepared as possible to make that decision to cane or canine when the time is right.

Check out the Guide Dog Readiness Checklist External link opens in new window or tab. in addition to the presentation.
3/2 Anna-Lisa Muraoka, TVI/O&M, Contra Costa County Office of Education, & Ellie Kneer, Senior in High School, Liberty Union High School District From Scared to Prepared: Finding Your Voice (Self-Advocacy)
 Join a TVI and High School Senior discuss using and accepting accommodations provided to individuals that are visually impaired. Anna-Lisa and Ellie share how to take baby steps to use accommodations to meet needs and meet learning requirements. They will also share ideas on how to speak up and use role-playing to advocate for yourself regarding diagnosis, functional vision, and equipment. Additionally they will share ideas on what to do to work effectively with difficult teachers, students, or co-workers.
3/9 David Pinto, Founder and Teacher, Academy of Music for the Blind & Charles Lloyd, Music Teacher, California School for the Blind
 Music: Getting Blind and Low Vision Students Involved Many blind and low vision students are inspired by music. Teachers and parents can utilize music to motivate students to learn, connect, and improve their self-confidence. David Pinto, Founder and Teacher at the Academy of Music for the Blind, and Charles Lloyd, Music Teacher at the California School for the Blind, will both present on and lead a discussion as to the available methods and resources for blind and low vision students to get involved with music. They will detail how easy it can be to make participation happen as well as cover tips and tricks to making involvement successful for both students and music teachers. Music has the capacity to be the change agent in the way our students see themselves and the way they engage with and perceive the world. Come learn and discuss how to make this happen for current and/or future students.

This session is appropriate for vision staff, music teachers, general education teachers, parents, and students.
3/16 Kathi Garza, Outreach Department at the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired and volunteer for the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH) & Jill Gorman, Parent of a Teenager with Albinism in California
 Considerations for Connecting Students with Albinism to Instruction and the Community Join Kathi Garza, an adult with albinism working as a TVI at Texas School for the Blind, and Jill Gorman, a parent of a teenager with albinism, as they discuss the implications in instruction for students with albinism and share about the connections they've made through the National Organization for Albinism and Hypopigmentation (NOAH). During this Tuesday Tea, we will invite participants to share their thoughts about implementing quality programming for students with albinism, discuss challenges students with albinism and their families face during the school years, and discover how an organization such as NOAH can support professionals and families.
3/23 May Nguyen, CSB Assessment Center School Psychologist
Rebecka Henry, CSB Assessment Center Speech and Language Pathologist		 Standard Scores, What Do They Mean?! Evaluation reports contain many numbers about students' performance, but what do those numbers really mean? Do you understand standard scores, scaled scores, percentile ranges, and score classifications? What are age equivalent and grade equivalents, and should we focus on them? Come and learn with the Assessment Center school psychologist and speech language pathologist!
3/30 Sharon Sacks, Ph.D., Superintendent Emeritus, California School for the Blind
Mary Zatta, Ph.D., Director of Professional Development, Perkins eLearning		 Expanding the Expanded Core Curriculum for Students with Visual Impairments & Multiple Disabilities Let's think out of the box, the Lightbox that is. How can we provide fun, innovative, & meaningful lessons & activities for students who have multiple disabilities? This Tuesday Tea will provide participants with an opportunity to discuss & share ideas for teaching the ECC to students with multiple disabilities. Come prepared to share your strategies!
4/13

Amanda English, Education Consultant, TCVI, COMS
ILS Modules
MDE-LIO

 Independent Living Skills Modules Independent Living Skills (ILS) are a critical component of the Expanded Core Curriculum. Join Michigan Department of Education-Low Incidence Outreach Education Consultant, Amanda English, on a journey through the new online ILS Modules Manual. Learn how to create your own Independent Living Skills Parent Partnership or find a plethora of resources to expand your skills for teaching ILS.
4/20 Cheryl Kamei-Hannan, Professor and Coordinator at California State University Los Angeles, Program in Visual Impairments

Ting Siu, Professor and Coordinator at San Francisco State University, Program in Visual Impairments

Brenda Naimy, Adjunct faculty, Division of Special Education & Counseling, California State University, Los Angeles

Nicholas Casias, Assistant Professor, Division of Special Education & Counseling, California State University Los Angeles

Sandra Rosen, Professor and Coordinator of the Orientation and Mobility Program, San Francisco State University

 What's new in the CSU? San Francisco State University and California State University Los Angeles are two training programs in the state of California that offer programs to train Certified Orientation and Mobility Instructors (COMS) and Teachers of Students with Visual Impairments (TVI). Get to know the faculty at both programs in this session. They will share information about becoming a COMS or TVI including information about the profession, the university application process, and highlights about recent graduates. Also, for those seeking information about how the university can help to recruit and fill open vacancies for LEAs looking to hire TVI and COMS please join us to learn more. The session will end with updates regarding the credential structure and teacher performance expectations and assessment.

4/27 Jonathan Waite, Transition Teacher Specialist at CSB
Nanako Yamada, Transition Teacher Specialist at CSB
Jo Anne Tanaka, Transition Teacher at CSB
Shannon Johns, Principal of Career and Vocational Programs at CSB		 Vocation and Careers Training for Students with VI The CSB Vocation team will highlight the vocational opportunities and careers programs that CSB offers its students. We will discuss the importance of the relationships we have fostered with the Department of Rehabilitation and Regional Centers. We will also discuss our assessment methods and how we work with classroom teachers to incorporate students' decisions into their Individualized Transition Plans (ITPs).
5/4 Keema McClung, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Braille Institute, San Diego Center

Brianna Pettit, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Braille Institute, Santa Barbara Center

Gricelda Pena, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Braille Institute, Los Angeles Center

Karen Esquival-Mayes, Orientation and Mobility Specialist, Braille Institute, Los Angeles Center

 Performing Effective O&M Assessments in Distance Learning Orientation and Mobility Specialists from Braille Institute will discuss their process in performing effective O&M assessments in a teleservice format. They will discuss what tools they used to develop an effective assessment tool and how working collaboratively, they were able to provide O&M services to more students throughout southern California in a remote virtual format.
5/18 Tammy Bacon, Information Technology Specialist, State Special Schools - Web Services
Winnie Chen, Staff Services Analyst, CSB
Yurika Vu, Assistive Technology Coordinator, CSB		 Making Microsoft Word and Google Documents Accessible for screen reader users Learn the basics to make accessible Word and Google documents for students using screen readers and best practices on navigating accessible documents.
5/25 Kim Blackwell, Teacher for the Visually Impaired, Escondido Union School District

Gina Michell, Adjunct Professor, California State University Los Angeles, Program in Visual Impairments

Cheryl Kamei-Hannan, Professor, California State University Los Angeles, Program in Visual Impairments

 Braille Brain: A Braille Training Program for Educators and Family Members Who Want to Learn Braille Do you want to learn braille? Check out these new resources! Braille Brain is a free user-friendly on-line training program to teach UEB and Nemeth braille codes to in-service and pre-service teachers, paraeducators, and parents. Part of its goal is to develop instructional materials and evidence based best practices for promoting braille literacy and STEM learning. The main purpose of this training grant (RSAH235e190002) is to provide resources and instruction to individuals wanting to learn braille. Join us to learn more!

Other Presentations (formerly known as Tuesday Tea with AT):

May 5 - Google Drive & Classroom with Screen Readers with Yurika Vu & Stephanie Herlich
May 12 - Using JAWS Tandem for Remote Learning with Scott Jaffray & Vanessa Herndon
May 19 - Options for Continuing Braille Education Remotely with Stephanie Herlich & Vanessa Herndon
May 26 - Open table discussion with Adrian Amandi & Yurika Vu

Recording of the Google Drive & Classroom with Screen Readers webinar External link opens in new window or tab. (Youtube)

Recording of the Using JAWS Tandem for Remote Learning webinar External link opens in new window or tab. (Youtube)

Recording of the Options for Continuing Braille Education Remotely webinar External link opens in new window or tab. (Youtube)