Program Details

How much does this cost:

Secret Garden International (or SGI) specialists will cover the financial cost of travel. It does however, request that room and board be provided for the specialists during their stay.

The following are requirements necessary for the duration of the specialists stay in the requesting country:

1. Room and board
2. Interpreter (a meeting is requested between the interpreter and the specialists before the in-service training begins)
3. Translation of written material provided for the sessions. (This is kept to a minimum due to the amount of time required to translate written material)
4. Transportation to and from the facility as well as explicit instructions on the transportation system within the city.
5. Access to a telephone with the ability to contact the United States
6. Access to the internet
7. Map of the city
8. A primary contact person and their phone number, in each location where training is requested. This must be given before the specialists arrive.
9. Names and phone numbers of the hotels, hostels, apartments or private homes where the specialists will be staying.
10. Access to bottled water

What is included during the in-service training session:

The format of the training is flexible depending on the instructor. Secret Garden International believes that in-service training should include no more than 50% verbal instruction/lecture, and at least 25% hands on training and 25% practical experience. The practical experience is encouraged to be at the operating location of the special needs program and under the observation of the specialist. Within that time, it is critical to schedule time for questions, answers and evaluation. SGI understands that caregivers, teachers and parents need strategies they can put into practice immediately. SGI is committed to provide training that can be immediately transferred into the special needs programs.

What kind of living quarters should be provided for the specialists:

SGI is an outreach ministry and it is understood that money is an issue for many programs. Whatever accommodations provided will be suitable. The following items are always appreciated but are by no means required:
1. Access to a small store to purchase items such as drinks, snacks, bread, etc.
2. Access to a laundry facility
3. Local park or area to walk and enjoy the outdoors
4. Bath towels
5. Ability to make coffee in the morning

How long are the in-services (training session):

In-services are usually three to four days depending on the material covered and last between six to seven hours per day, with an hour for lunch.

How do we know which training session to request:

It is recommended that an interview be conducted with the teachers, parents and/or caregivers of your facility. During that time the greatest needs should be determined and from that, recommendations can be made as to which specialists and training sessions should be provided.

What ages does SGI work with:

Early childhood through adult

The following is a sample schedule for the duration of the specialists stay in the requesting country:

Specialists will usually arrive on a Thursday or Friday to allow for necessary time to get organized over the weekend.
Day 1 - Get settled into living quarters, recuperate from travel, meet with contact person, get a map of the city and clarification on transportation, facilities, and other requirements.
Day 2 – Work on presentation and organize materials
Day 3 – Meet and greet individuals involved with the program and observe the daily routine of the special needs program.
Day 4 – In-service training sessions from 9:00 – 4:00 with 1 hour for lunch.
(These times are always flexible; this is just a recommended schedule)
Day 5 - In-service training sessions from 9:00 – 4:00 with 1 hour for lunch.
Day 6 – In-service training sessions from 9:00 – 4:00 with 1 hour for lunch.
Day 7 – 9:00 - 12:00 practical application of learned techniques under the observation of the specialist. 1:00 – 3:00 Open discussion, questions and evaluations. 6:00 – 8:00 pm Open discussion with parents and/or care givers
Day 8 & Day 9: Tour of other facilities around the city and time to visit areas of interest.*

*Secret Garden International believes that this should be a learning experience for all individuals involved and encourages the specialists to learn about the country they are visiting and the important historical sites it contains.

Typically during the training sessions, strong bonds and friendships are formed amongst all program participants. To further encourage these relationships, SGI recommends a final dinner be held to celebrate the experience. In this manner everyone is afforded the opportunity of exchanging information and saying their final good-byes.

When do we schedule an in-service:

The specialists that are hired for this experience often work full time during the school year in the United States (Middle of August through May) Most in-services are scheduled in the summer months.

Who do we contact to request this service:

C. Shushawn Touryan is the founder and Director of SGI. Please contact her through the email listed under “contact us”. Most times, it is necessary for her to travel to the requesting country 8 to 12 months in advance to observe the program, and interview participants. It is imperative that SGI gain as much information and background knowledge as possible about the special needs program they are serving. SGI is committed to provide the best training possible and to do that a reasonable amount of time must be allowed to develop a quality in-service that is catered to the program.

How do I plan for an in-service:

Interview the professionals, parents and caregivers of your facility. From there, determine what the greatest and most desperate need is at the time. Days are limited and it is important that SGI provide the best training in a limited amount of time. Focus on the primary need of your facility. It is more productive to train on a very limited amount of subjects and provide a plethora of information, training and resources specific to that need.

How many people should be invited to an in-service:

To provide the best possible experience for all involved, it is imperative that pupil numbers be kept at or below 25.

What kind of equipment will the specialists need:

SGI will be flexible with regard to what is available. In an effort to provide participants with the best experience, SGI needs to be informed of the kinds of facilities and equipment that are available ahead of time. Specialists are allowed 2 pieces of luggage on the aircraft, any excess baggage costs a significant amount of money, therefore, specialists may need access to office equipment such as a copy machine, TV/VCR, work room, etc. to eliminate the need to bring everything from the United States.

What happens at the end of the in-service training session:

It is always best to offer your teachers and/or caregivers some type of completion certificate or continuing education credit.