Patrick is an experienced speaker and facilitator in the field of special education. His workshops offer unique, memorable and actionable insights that create a strong foundation of how to interact and work with students with disabilities.
His workshops can be customized in length and content to fit a variety of agendas. Here are the most popular selections Patrick has been providing over the years…
Inspirational Keynote: Undefeated
The passion and precision of one can effect change on the masses, and so it is YOU who can effect change within your team. Are you ready to be that person? Maximize your environmental impact by creating a home field advantage in which your colleagues and students can win! From administrator to paraeducator, we all play an integral role in supporting our students’ success, bringing new meaning to how we “positively reinforce” each other. Set your schedule to laugh, cry, excite, and learn in Patrick’s dynamic proclamation for all who support kids to light it up! Through inspiring stories, engaging team building activities, and memorable metaphors, Patrick delivers these key concepts:
- Shine your light for kids, it is the only way they can know what possibilities await
- Create the home field advantage for everyone around you, including yourself
- We are all cheerleaders for each other, though our effectiveness is determined on how we cheer
- We all stand together in the educational pyramid, working cohesively to keep kids safe at the top
- Your attitude is like glitter, good or bad, once its somewhere its everywhere
Inspirational Keynote: The Heart of the Matter
Successfully supporting all students means making sure that we view each of them as the wonderful individuals that they are. In this heartwarming message, behavior specialist Patrick Mulick will share how student-centered thinking can impact actions, decisions and outcomes. You will be introduced to a few personalities who will show you that sometimes our biggest deficit is being unable to see past the deficit of others. Get back in touch with why you entered this field in the first place as you laugh, learn and become inspired. It is recommended that attendees bring tissues to this one, you are going to feel all of the feelings!
The Filter for Behavior Change
Get ready to dive into behavior! In this engaging workshop Patrick looks at the science that points out what causes behavioral challenges and how they link to appropriate interventions. Attendees will see multiple examples of what applying best practice in behavior change looks like across a spectrum of learners. Patrick will then complete the conversation with addressing behavior when it is at its worst, when a student is fully escalated. As a former educator himself, Patrick will show the walk that he talks. Behavior is tough on students and it is tough on staff, but by working smart and working together we can make the difference that is needed for kids.
Autism: What it Means to Us, What it Means to Them
More than just an overview of Autism Spectrum Disorders, but an in-depth guide of how the world looks to the individual with autism, and how we should be looking back. Simple strategies are shared through explanation, demonstration, and role playing. This equipping and inspiring workshop is one that your group will be talking about for a ways to come.
Using “Cheat Sheets” to Promote Independence for Students with Disabilities
Despite schools’ best efforts, there are limited opportunities for students with disabilities as they grow into adulthood due to their inability to function independently. This deficit is often a result of staff unknowingly helping too much and not creating a path by which the individual could better function on their own. This highly interactive workshop explores research based strategies to enhance independence and remove limits to student potential. Having been a teacher himself, Patrick directly speaks to the practical in-classroom application of these strategies. For each that is discussed, a user friendly “cheat sheet” is provided. Participants will leave inspired and equipped to help their students do more with less.
Effective Partnerships for Teachers and Paraeducators: Setting the Stage for Student Learning
Specific teaching strategies & interventions in special education is a continuous and essential need, but there is often little focus on how teachers and para educators can effectively work together so that those interventions can lead to student success. This workshop provides an opportunity for teams to look inward on their own practices and interactions with each other. From simple problem solving techniques to effective communication skills, working relationships are made stronger so that they might better support students with disabilities.
Foundations in De-escalation
Given the increased behavioral challenges seen in students since the start of the pandemic, we are more acutely aware of the need for educators to be skilled at de-escalation. In the time of crisis, school teams must move from panicking in the moment to implementing a targeted plan. If you are looking for a fresh look at how to best support those who escalate using some innovative tools, then this is the course for you! Regardless if you are new to de-escalation or if you are a certified trainer yourself, this course will offer some great insights and takeaways.
Testimonials
“Wow! Inspiring, informational, and transformational. I wish every general ed teacher could experience that!” -Amy Clark, Special Education Director, Coeur d’Alene School District WA
“How fortunate we were to have Patrick as our keynote speaker at our annual early childhood conference. He set the stage and ignited our energy to be our best for young children, because they are, just as Patrick suggests, number 1.” -Kristen L. Sheridan, Director of Early Learning, Olympic Educational Service District 114
“I have been to many trainings in my 20 years in education, but I can say this was absolutely the best I have ever attended. When you said we only had 5 minutes left, I couldn’t believe that 3 hours could go by so quickly. Thank you so much, I learned so many things for my tool box.” -Special Education Teacher
“Your presentation really brought it home for a number of us and we thank you for sharing your expertise and seeing the need for this to be taught to school bus drivers everywhere!” -Assistant Transportation Director
“My staff and I learned so much! We have started being way more thoughtful about trying to help our students to be more independent by taking the prompt away when we can, or moving to a less-intrusive prompt. What a great meaningful workshop!” -Special education teacher
“A truly dynamic speaker! I learned so much!” -Speech and Language Pathologist