Massachusetts High-Impact Professional Development for Special Education
Teaching diverse learners requires more than good intentions—it requires practical, evidence-based tools. Informed by educational neuroscience, trauma-informed practices, and specialized pedagogy, PAC’s interactive workshops empower teachers, clinicians, and parents with actionable classroom strategies for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), ADHD, complex therapeutic needs, and developmental support. We bridge the gap between research, IEP implementation, and daily practice, so your team feels supported, confident, and ready to help every student succeed.
Customizable Workshops & Staff Training for MA Educators
Designed to align with Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) standards and support Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) / Tiered Interventions, our interactive workshops award Professional Development Points (PDPs) for a wide range of professionals and advocates across MA school districts, including:
Special Education (SPED) Teachers & General Education Staff
Paraprofessionals, Educational Assistants, & Specialty Service Providers
School Counselors, Adjustment Counselors, School Psychologists, & Licensed Clinicians
Parents, Caregivers, & Family Advocates
Every session is fully customizable to address your district or charter school’s specific learning goals, student behavioral health challenges, and team skill levels.
Whether you need district-wide professional development, clinical team alignment, or targeted parent empowerment workshops, PAC collaborates directly with school leaders to build a high-impact, research-backed training program.
Contact: Joanna Silverman, PACES Coordinator
Phone: 508.747.6686 ext. 2703
These offerings are tailored for educators. Use this link to submit your request: Request Here
For specific questions about our workshops or to customize an offering for your district, please contact Joanna Silverman at 508.747.6686 x2703 or jsilverman@pilgrimac.org.
August 17, 2026
This module equips paraeducators with practical tools to foster a calm, supportive, and productive classroom environment. Participants will explore the underlying causes of challenging behaviors
August 17, 2026
Most educators learn about different learning challenges as part of their education or through professional development. If you ask a teacher to define ADD or Dyslexia, they can often describe it
August 17, 2026
The recent pandemic has impacted youth’s mental health. Due to this impact, there are more students presenting with school refusal. School refusal is a problem that is stressful for children,
August 17, 2026
Discover how the science of the brain can transform teaching and learning. This interactive workshop introduces educators to the Applied Educational Neuroscience (AEN) framework and its four
August 17, 2026
Part 1: This workshop focuses on important skills educational support professionals (ESPs) need to be productive and effective members of the educational team. In this interactive workshop, ESPs'
August 17, 2026
This interactive workshop is designed for educators seeking to update their knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorder. The program moves beyond outdated concepts, focusing instead on a modern,
August 17, 2026
In this workshop, participants will explore the impact of poor executive functioning skills on student learning and behavior in the classroom. Deficits in executive functioning result in difficulty
August 17, 2026
Memory, mood, and perceptions have an impact on learning. They influence our ability to process information and to accurately understand what we encounter. But how much do educators really know
These offerings are tailored for parents and caregivers.
For specific questions about our workshops or to customize an offering for your district, please contact Joanna Silverman at 508.747.6686 x2703 or jsilverman@pilgrimac.org.
August 18, 2026
Anxiety is increasingly common in school-aged children and often goes unnoticed or is misunderstood. It can significantly impact a child's ability to learn and perform their best at school. To
August 18, 2026
Executive function is an umbrella term used to describe a set of cognitive processes necessary for emotional and behavioral control. In this workshop, participants will learn what executive
August 18, 2026
Did you know that the emotional connection between a parent and child plays a critical role in regulating emotions, learning, and behavior? In this workshop, participants will explore practical
August 18, 2026
A person’s ability to communicate has been a defining characteristic of autism. Many correlate a person’s degree of autism severity with their level of speech impairment. When an autistic is
REGISTER for current offerings at the PAC Smart PD site by clicking on the triangle link to the left.
PAC Staff: Click on LOG-IN and use your own PAC username and password.
District Staff: If you have already have a Smart PD account through your school district, click on LOG-IN. If this is your FIRST visit to a Smart PD site, please follow the instructions for *first time users* to create an account to register for any of our workshops.
**Please note: Upon registering for any course with a fee, you will be put on the wait list until payment is received. Please do not assume the course is full if you receive an automatic reply from SmartPD saying you have been wait listed.**
If you have any questions or difficulties logging into Smart PD, contact Becky Haugh, Administrative Coordinator, at 781-293-6111, Ext. 1111 or rhaugh@pilgrimac.org
