PLA Offerings: 2025-2026 School Year

The BEESS Portal to Professional Learning Alternatives (PLA) is a partnership between the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Student education (BEESS) and the Bureau of Educator Certification. Available to Florida educators since 2003, the courses are funded by the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Exceptional Education and Student Services (BEESS). Courses are coordinated by the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) Administration Project and the eighteen FDLRS Network Associate Centers, a FLDOE/BEESS project, in collaboration with the Florida Center for Interactive Media at FSU.

The courses listed on this page are the ones that are facilitated by our FDLRS Galaxy center, and will be taught by FDLRS Galaxy personnel. For the 2025-2026 school year, educators can elect to register for ANY of the PLA courses offered through any FDLRS Center. The list of Facilitated courses and their descriptions can be found on the statewide portal (BEESS Portal), and registration is centrally located on the statewide FDLRS Upcoming Courses page. There is also a General FAQ document available that has additional details about what a Facilitated PLA Course entails.

Participants will access the materials through the online learning portal for PLA courses, in addition to attending mandatory Zoom "face-to-face" meetings. Participants will receive information about their first virtual meeting, which will occur on Day 1 of the course, in the week prior to the start date. During this first meeting, login information and how to access materials will be discussed, as well as class pacing and other details about coursework.

Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties will all register using either the links listed with each course below.

Gifted Endorsement Offerings: 2025-2026 School Year

The Gifted Endorsement is designed to increase the level of knowledge, expertise, and understanding of educators working with students who are gifted. The endorsement is intended to raise the awareness of the unique characteristics, emotional/social needs, and other challenges and issues associated with the students who are gifted. It is designed to foster an understanding of historical, state, and national trends, policies and guidelines to ensure implementation of appropriate academic curriculum, differentiation strategies, educational intervention, and support for this diverse population.

FDLRS Galaxy's free Gifted Endorsement Courses offered locally will be taught by Maryssa Block-Moore. You will have mandatory virtual "face-to-face" meetings combined with online assignments, quizzes, and/or discussions on the Moodle platform. You must complete all coursework and submit your evaluation by the course end dates listed with each course in order to receive inservice credit.

The Gifted Endorsement Add-On Program consists of five courses (300 hours). Four Gifted courses will be offered through FDLRS Galaxy during the 2025-2026 School Year: Theory and Development of Creativity, Guidance and Counseling for the Gifted, Special Populations of Gifted Students, and Curriculum and Instruction for the Gifted. You can enter the course cycle at any time, but you must complete all five courses in order to receive the Gifted Endorsement. Please see below for course descriptions and registration information.

Registration links will be available below one month prior to the start of the course.Flyer for 2025/2026 School Year

Theory and Development of Creativity

• Course Dates: July 21 through September 30, 2025
• Inservice Points: 60 Hours
• Instructor: Maryssa Block-Moore
• Description: Theory and Development of Creativity provides an overview of the theory, research, practical strategies, and resources on creativity, with an emphasis on classroom applications in the gifted classroom. It is intended that, upon completion of this course participants attain the following goals, to increase knowledge of the nature and definition of creativity, to reflect on and learn ways to enhance personal creativity and to provide ideas and strategies for teaching others (students) to develop and use their creativity.
• Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be July 21, 2025 at 9:00 AM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: June 10, 2025

 

Guidance and Counseling for the Gifted

• Course Dates: September 22 through December 16, 2025 
• Inservice Points: 60 Hours
• Instructor: Maryssa Block-Moore
• Description: Guidance and Counseling for the Gifted provides an overview of the theory, research, practical strategies, and resources on guidance and counseling, with an emphasis on classroom applications in the gifted classroom. Participants will understand holistic developmental characteristics of gifted children, will be able to identify risk factors related to gifted students, and will be able to support social skills, career exploration, and leadership development of gifted students.
• Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be on September 22, 2025 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: August 29, 2025

 

Education of Special Populations of Gifted Students 

• Course Dates: December 15, 2025 - March 31, 2026
• Inservice Points: 60 Hours
• Instructor: Maryssa Block-Moore 
• Description: Education of Special Populations of Gifted Students provides an overview of the challenges and issues that face diverse populations of gifted students as they struggle to gain acceptance, recognition, and access to appropriate gifted education to meet their individual needs. It examines policies and procedures to screen, identify, and provide appropriate modifications to curriculum for these gifted students. The module provides an overview of the different types of perspectives and their impact on the development of gifted abilities.
• Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be on December 1, 2025 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: November 14, 2025

 

Curriculum and Instruction for the Gifted

• Course Dates: March 2 through May 28, 2026
• Inservice Points: 60 Hours
• Instructor: Maryssa Block-Moore
• Description: Curriculum and Instruction for the Gifted provides an analysis of curriculum modifications for gifted learners based on the National Association for Gifted Children (NAGC) Standards for Graduate Programs in Gifted Education. Participants will be able to demonstrate adaptations in the content, process, product, affect, and learning environment of the classroom and curricula as they relate to gifted learners. Ultimately, course participants will design units of instruction that are powerful, aligned, engaging, authentic, and challenging.
• Registration Link: Click Here for Registration 
• Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be on March 2, 2026 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: February 13, 2026

 

Nature and Needs of the Gifted

• Course Dates: April 7 through June 30, 2026
• Inservice Points: 60 Hours
• Instructor: Maryssa Block-Moore
• Description: Nature and Needs of Gifted Students provides an overview of the evolution of gifted education on the national, state and local level. Major events affecting gifted education are described as well as major policies, and procedures governing the delivery of gifted education. Cognitive, social, and emotional characteristics common to individuals who are gifted are identified along with strategies that can be used to meet the academic needs of different categories of students who are gifted.
• Registration Link: Coming in February 
• Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be on the first day of the course. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: March 12, 2026

ASD Endorsement Offerings: 2025-2026 School Year

The Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement Program is designed to increase the level of knowledge, expertise, and understanding of educators working with K-12 students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. The endorsement is intended to raise awareness of the unique characteristics, emotional/social needs, and other challenges and issues related to students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and its range of pervasive developmental disorders that adversely affect functioning and result in the need for specially designed instruction and related services. It is designed to foster an understanding of policies and guidelines to ensure implementation of appropriate curriculum, differentiation, strategies, educational intervention, and support for this population.

FDLRS Galaxy's free ASD Endorsement Courses offered locally will be taught by Maryssa Block-Moore. You will have mandatory virtual "face-to-face" meetings combined with online assignments, quizzes, and/or discussions on the Moodle platform. You must complete all coursework and submit your evaluation by the course end dates listed with each course in order to receive inservice credit.

There are three modules (80 hours each) in the Autism Spectrum Disorder Endorsement which cover assessment, diagnosis, behavior analysis, positive behavior supports, assistive technology, communication systems, and field experience (embedded in each course). Participants must complete all three modules. Please see below for course descriptions and registration information.

Participants should verify with their school district that ASD Endorsement courses are in the District's Professional Learning Catalog, that the courses have been approved by the district, and are eligible for points. Please be advised that an endorsement is a rider on a valid Florida teaching certificate with another subject coverage. It cannot stand alone on the certificate. It is important to note that this add-on endorsement can only be added to your professional certification in conjunction with certification in any exceptional student education area.

Registration links will be available below one month prior to the start of the course.Flyer for 2025/2026 School Year

Nature and Needs, Assessment, and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders with Field Experience

• Course Dates: July 23 through October 15,2025 
• Inservice Points: 80 Hours
• Instructor: Maryssa Block-Moore
• Description: Participants will be able to identify characteristics associated with Autism Spectrum Disorders(ASD), demonstrate an understanding of current trends and research-based methodologies used to create appropriate instructional programs for these students, and become familiar with formal and informal assessments used for diagnosis and instructional planning.
• Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be July 23, 2025 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: June 10, 2025

 

Augmentative/Alternative Communication Systems and Assistive/Instructional Technology for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders with Field Experience

• Course Dates: October 29, 2025 through January 21, 2026
• Inservice Points: 80 Hours
• Instructor: Maryssa Block-Moore
• Description: Participants will be able to describe and analyze communication needs, design strategies to facilitate intervention, and demonstrate an understanding of various communication interventions for students with Autism Spectrum Disorders; including AAC/AT. Participants will understand the importance of transition planning for students with ASD.
• Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be October 29, 2025 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Link to Register: Click Here
• Deadline to Register: September 26, 2025

 

Applied Behavior Analysis and Positive Behavior Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders with Field Experience

• Course Dates: February 11 through May 20,2026
• Inservice Points: 80 Hours
• Instructor: Maryssa Block-Moore
• Description: This course provides participants with an understanding of how applied behavior analysis principles pertain to individuals with ASD, including implementation associated with teaching various skills and supporting behavior in educational settings. The functional assessment of problem behavior as well as proactive and preventative methods for addressing problem behavior will be addressed. In addition, evidence-based instructional strategies to develop communication, social, self-help, and academic skills will be emphasized and linked to behavioral needs.
• Meetings: The first virtual meeting will be February 11, 2025 at 5:00PM. Participants will receive instructions the week prior.
• Deadline to Register: January 16, 2026

 

Register for a variety of virtual learning options throughout the 2025-2026 school year.

Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee, and St. Lucie counties will all register using either the links listed with each course below.

Digital Accessibility: Supporting Students with Disabilities 

• Professional Learning Dates: January 15- Session 1 and January 22- Session 2
• Time: 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
• Inservice Points: 3 Hours (for both sessions)
• Instructor: Maryssa Block-Moore and Katie Parrish
• Description: This professional learning opportunity explores how visual tools and strategies can transform the way we support student learning. Whether it’s through images, charts, symbols, or objects, visuals provide powerful ways to clarify information, engage learners, and support varied learning needs. By integrating visuals into our teaching practices, we can help students make connections, stay focused, and retain information more effectively.
• Deadline to Register: January 8, 2026 
• Registration Link: Please Click Here

 

Accommodations: Assisting Students with Disabilities

• Professional Learning Dates: February 3, 2026
• Time: 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
• Inservice Points: 3 Hours (for both sessions)
• Instructor: Mary Trubisky
• Description: The purpose of this learning opportunity is to help teachers learn how to make accommodations to meet the varied learning needs of students with disabilities. Accommodations are changes that can be made to the way students are expected to learn and demonstrate what they have learned. When appropriate accommodations are made, expectations for what students will learn do not have to change. In most cases, students with disabilities can achieve the same outcomes as other students in the class.
• Deadline to Register: January 20, 2026 
• Registration Link: Please Click Here

 

Strategies to Support Struggling Writers 

• Professional Learning Dates: February 24- Session 1 and March 10- Session 2
• Time: 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm
• Inservice Points: 3 Hours (for both sessions)
• Instructor: Mary Trubisky
• Description: The purpose of the workshop is to assist teachers in exploring the importance of explicit writing instruction and strategies to use to support students with writing struggles. Two goals of writing: Learning to write: Students learn how to write and develop composing skills. Writing to learn: Students use writing as a tool to promote learning content as they think on paper.
• Deadline to Register: February 10, 2026 
• Registration Link: Please Click Here