How to Participate

Smooth Sailing is a professional development program aimed at helping general education teachers in K through 2nd grade enhance their skills for supporting autistic students. The program has been developed in collaboration with teachers to prioritize its feasibility and relevance in the classroom. The program takes a neurodiversity-affirming approach and focuses on strategies for developing positive student-teacher relationships and improving students’ academic engagement.

Smooth Sailing is enrolling teachers from California and Massachusetts schools for the 2024-2025 school year!

You may sign up for more info or contact us.

Administrators

This program increases teacher knowledge and skills for supporting students on the spectrum in their classroom. Smooth Sailing was developed in partnership with teachers to address the need for autism-focused training in fostering the success of their students on the autism spectrum. Teachers receive $300 and PDPs or CEs.

More info

Teachers

Participation involves review of self-paced, online modules and individualized coaching sessions (total time: 12 hours) reviewing strategies to build strong relationships with students on the spectrum. With support from a coach, teachers will apply these strategies in their classrooms. Teachers will complete research surveys and receive $300 and PDPs/CEs.

More info

Parents

Your child’s teacher will enhance their knowledge of autism and hone strategies for building strong relationships with students on the spectrum. Each teacher will identify one student to practice these strategies. You’ll have the chance to work closely with the teacher as they foster a strong connection with your child.

More info

Ready to learn more about Smooth Sailing?

Follow this link to fill out a Screening Survey to learn more about our upcoming 2024-2025 PD program for K, 1st, and 2nd grade teachers.

Additionally, please sign up for our mailing list below to learn about future participation opportunities.

You may also email us with any questions.

You may reach our coordinator, Liz Benitez, for any questions about this program, at smoothsailingstudy@gmail.com.

You can also reach our program directors, including Abbey Eisenhower at UMass Boston (abbey.eisenhower@umb.edu) and Jan Blacher at UC Riverside (jan.blacher@ucr.edu).

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I have so much gratitude for the program.
I am having a much smoother year with my autistic student because of all the great things I learned in the program.

~ 1st grade general education teacher with over 10 years of experience
As a teacher, I have had to repeatedly take trainings that present wonderful research based strategies, yet I do not see them working in the classwork. Having research-based strategies and information is great, but it was the combination with information that is helpful to teachers that was much more valuable.

~ 1st grade inclusion teacher with 20 or more years of experience
I like the [coaching] feedback portion of the program. That stands out from other training programs. To get the most out of it, this feedback [from coaches] is so important.

~ 2nd grade general education teacher with under 10 years of teaching experience
There was not a portion of the curriculum where I didn't learn something. …It is well organized and it was all a learning experience.

~ 2nd grade public school teacher with under 10 years of experience
We are so happy that this program exists. Thank you to [the program staff] and everyone you work with.

~ parent of 1st grader whose teacher participated in Smooth Sailing
This program has been extremely helpful in understanding how to reach autistic students and ways to communicate with them and build relationships.

~ 2nd grade teacher with under 10 years of experience
The strategies are simple and that’s a good thing; that makes them more likely to be used.

~ participating teacher
In a general education classroom, …it can be hard to connect with a student who might not connect in the same ways that every other student is connecting.

And so really having that opportunity to both build the relationship, which then is helpful when that student is upset or in a hard place, that's there to be a reassurance and to fall back on.

~ participating teacher
I'm really happy that I did it because I think it was very, well-- it's probably one of the best trainings I've had for autism in a long time.

~ 1st grade teacher with over 20 years of experience
[These brief, one-on-one interactions] can really improve your relationship with this child, make your life easier. I know that we have very busy days, but everybody can find 3-5 minutes. There’s no materials needed, no preparation. It is such a simple strategy.

~ participating teacher
The proven research makes me feel more comfortable using the techniques in my classroom.

~ 1st grade teacher with over 20 years of experience
I really enjoyed my coaching sessions. I liked having the time to complete the modules, getting the feedback, reflecting and then having a conversation. It felt very natural and nonjudgmental as though we were both on the same page. I appreciated the support and guidance.

~ 1st grade teacher with over 10 years of experience
This program has helped me to become extremely reflective about our [student-teacher relationship].

~ 1st grade teacher with under 10 years of experience
The modules …are so good to help me reflect on what has worked and what hasn’t, as well as how even modest attempts can make an impact.

~ 2nd grade teacher with 20 or more years of experience
I enjoyed the time I was able to reflect on past relationships with former students and my current student with autism. I feel that, while I may experience challenges in the classroom, there is always a way for me to improve, whether it be my body language or tone of voice.
I know that these strategies can be applied to all my students, which I know can foster a more positive and successful learning environment.

~ 1st grade teacher with 10 or more years of experience
I can’t speak highly enough about Time2Connect [one-on-one interactions].
This practice has actually become part of my daily practice as a teacher.

~ 1st grade teacher with under 10 years of experience
This information is great, I wish it would be taught more during teacher training programs or in school trainings.

~ 1st grade teacher with under 10 years of experience

How to Participate

Administrators

Teachers

Parents

Ready to learn more about Smooth Sailing?

I have so much gratitude for the program. I am having a much smoother year with my autistic student because of all the great things I learned in the program.

~ 1st grade general education teacher with over 10 years of experience

~ 1st grade inclusion teacher with 20 or more years of experience

I like the [coaching] feedback portion of the program. That stands out from other training programs. To get the most out of it, this feedback [from coaches] is so important.

~ 2nd grade general education teacher with under 10 years of teaching experience

There was not a portion of the curriculum where I didn't learn something. …It is well organized and it was all a learning experience.

~ 2nd grade public school teacher with under 10 years of experience

We are so happy that this program exists. Thank you to [the program staff] and everyone you work with.

~ parent of 1st grader whose teacher participated in Smooth Sailing

This program has been extremely helpful in understanding how to reach autistic students and ways to communicate with them and build relationships.

~ 2nd grade teacher with under 10 years of experience

The strategies are simple and that’s a good thing; that makes them more likely to be used.

~ participating teacher

~ participating teacher

I'm really happy that I did it because I think it was very, well-- it's probably one of the best trainings I've had for autism in a long time.

~ 1st grade teacher with over 20 years of experience

[These brief, one-on-one interactions] can really improve your relationship with this child, make your life easier. I know that we have very busy days, but everybody can find 3-5 minutes. There’s no materials needed, no preparation. It is such a simple strategy.

~ participating teacher

The proven research makes me feel more comfortable using the techniques in my classroom.

~ 1st grade teacher with over 20 years of experience

I really enjoyed my coaching sessions. I liked having the time to complete the modules, getting the feedback, reflecting and then having a conversation. It felt very natural and nonjudgmental as though we were both on the same page. I appreciated the support and guidance.

~ 1st grade teacher with over 10 years of experience

This program has helped me to become extremely reflective about our [student-teacher relationship].

~ 1st grade teacher with under 10 years of experience

The modules …are so good to help me reflect on what has worked and what hasn’t, as well as how even modest attempts can make an impact.

~ 2nd grade teacher with 20 or more years of experience

~ 1st grade teacher with 10 or more years of experience

I can’t speak highly enough about Time2Connect [one-on-one interactions]. This practice has actually become part of my daily practice as a teacher.

~ 1st grade teacher with under 10 years of experience

This information is great, I wish it would be taught more during teacher training programs or in school trainings.

~ 1st grade teacher with under 10 years of experience

I have so much gratitude for the program.
I am having a much smoother year with my autistic student because of all the great things I learned in the program.

I can’t speak highly enough about Time2Connect [one-on-one interactions].
This practice has actually become part of my daily practice as a teacher.