Bridges Professional Learning
Bridges Professional Learning
Try an educATe Online Lesson for FREE!
Select one of our course samplers below:
"The combination of assistive & instructional technologies knowledge, classroom experience, and their genuine concern for the challenges that teachers face has always impressed me with the Bridges staff."
Kelly Fonner, Internationally recognized Assistive Technology consultantYou Have the Technology - Now What?
Learn with Bridges
Build individual student and classroom success:
- Knowledgeable, engaging Instructors
- Collaborative
- Accountability
- Strategy-rich and differentiated
- Many models and opportunities for practice
- Comfortable, relaxed
- Resources and materials in multiple formats
"This is a GREAT BIG thank you for yesterday. Each of our teachers was blown away by the training and incredibly enthusiastic about their next steps in supporting our students."
“Thank you for a wonderful day. Your were so very approachable and knew the program so well that the teachers felt at ease asking questions and delving right in.”
Expertise in Complex Instructional Needs
Bridges is the unchallenged leader in Canada in working with individuals with complex physical access and cognitive challenges.
Over two decades ago we began training in schools on the first speech output (SDPro), alternative access (Discover, Intellikeys), symbol (Boardmaker, Writing with Symbols) and curriculum adaptation (IntelliTalk, Clicker, Classroom Suite) software.
More recently, we pioneered the use of interactive white boards, such as SMART™ Boards, and eye gaze technology as an access and inclusion tool for students with profound challenges.
The team of Bridges Instructors is made up of professionals with diverse backgrounds, from occupational therapy, to special education, and speech language pathology.
"[The Instructor] works great with both staff and students, trying to make sure that the technology she is teaching is accessible and relevant for all to use."
Teacher, Wellington Catholic“Many thanks to you and your team. You have had to work under some difficult parameters and your ongoing professionalism and expertise is always evident. “
SEA Coordinator for the Toronto Catholic District School Board
Qualifications
The Bridges team is recognized nationally and internationally as experts in assistive and educational technology. Some of the conferences we have presented at include International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE San Antonio, 2017), International Society for Augmentative Alternative Communication (ISAAC Conference Toronto 2016 and Barcelona 2010), Closing the Gap (Minneapolis 2011, 2008 and others), Assistive Technology Industry Association Conference (Orlando, 2010), California State University, Northridge (conference, San Diego 2012) as well as numerous conferences across Canada (ASET Ontario, Virtual School Society Conference B.C., TechItUp B.C., Alberta Teachers Conferences, Manitoba Teachers Conferences).
Instructors undergo intensive professional development with Bridges and regular in-services directly from tech developers building on professional experience in:
- Universal Design for Learning
- Differentiated Instruction
- Augmentative Communication
- Adult Learning Styles
- Instructional Practice Using A T
Meet Christy
Christy McDonald is an educator, assistive technology training specialist, presenter and advocate for people with special needs. After working as a teacher for seventeen years, in many different capacities, Christy decided to pursue her passion of supporting students with learning differences, their families, and teachers, with Bridges.
Meet Leanne
With a firm belief that technology in our classrooms is truly the “game changer” for so many of our students today, it has become Leanne’s passion to see it implemented and used to its potential. Combined with strategic teaching, education technology opens up curriculum to struggling learners; truly making it accessible to all.
Specializing in Learning Disabilities, Leanne has spent her career introducing, training and mentoring students, their families and educators to the limitless potential of education technology.