Pathways has placed a major emphasis on
collaborating with communities and public school
systems to help build quality programs. Pathways
provides guidance, consulting services,
conferences, and formal training courses to teach
parent leaders, school administrators, recreation
directors and other related professionals how to
set up programs that model those of
Pathways. Melinda Jennis, Founder and President of
Pathways, is known throughout New Jersey for her
effective teaching style and unique perspective on
the topics she presents. Some of her classes are
listed below. Pathways is a registered NJ
Department of Education Professional Development
Provider. Teachers and professionals earn
professional development hours for taking our
classes. Contact Melinda Jennis at
mvtpec@aol.com
for more information.
Reform that Empowers
Every Child: Melinda
Jennis shares how Pathways has evolved over time
and accomplished so much in their community,
discusses the philosophies and how Pathways has
gone beyond offering Topic Meetings and IEP
information to offering an expansive array of
programs that help every child.
Leadership that
Inspires Vision and Direction:
Learn the keys that are essential to leadership,
how to network and build relationships in the
district and community, the importance of
effective communication, and dealing with
different styles of leadership.
The Fine Art of Competitive Grant Writing:
You will learn how to access and do searches for
grant opportunities. The class details how to
write grants
through understanding the use of strategies,
research and outreach to grantors that will
ultimately cultivate winning grants and produce
outcomes. We also discuss the utilization of
fundraising, ranging from small school district
projects to large-scale events.
How to Start Recreation & Mentoring Programs:
This class gives in-depth information on how to
get recreation and mentoring programs started,
different programs that are available, and the
training involved. It offers a great opportunity
for Parent Leaders, Recreation Directors, School
Administrators, and Child Study Team Members to
learn about mentoring and recreation programs.
School districts can gain insight on building
collaborative programs with recreation in their
own communities.
Developing Sensitivity Part 1 - The Key to
Understanding Special Needs:
Pathways recognizes the overwhelming task that
lies ahead as professionals in education struggle
to include children with a broad array of
disabilities in their classrooms. This class is an
expansion of Pathways’ Mentor Training Program,
providing more in-depth, problem-solving
techniques for classroom situations and ideas for
modifications to provide a more successful
educational experience. Professionals will gain a
greater empathy and understanding of the obstacles
faced by children with more severe or tangible
disabilities, and how to promote understanding and
inclusion of them amongst their peers.
Developing Sensitivity Part 2 - Understanding
Hidden Disabilities:
There are many children with disabilities that are
“hidden” and often misinterpreted as behaviors or
an unwillingness to learn and cooperate. These
children often build an aversion to things they
know are their weaknesses and the cause of low
self-esteem. They believe they “cannot” even
before they try. This training offers a journey
into the cognition of a child who has auditory
processing, ADHD, Asperger's, and reading
disabilities, and how to promote success through
understanding what the child can’t communicate,
and what we, as professionals, may not be able to
see or identify. (Prerequisite: Part 1)
