Professional Development Courses: Schedule

This course equips educators with a deep understanding of the unique social-emotional challenges faced by English Learners (ELs). Educators will explore the cultural, linguistic, and emotional factors that influence EL students' learning experiences. Through practical strategies and research-based practices, participants will learn how to create inclusive, supportive classrooms that foster emotional well-being, build resilience, and enhance academic success for ELs. The strategies and approaches taught in this course are beneficial for all students, not just English Learners, making them valuable tools for any diverse classroom. By the end of the course, educators will be empowered to nurture both the language development and social-emotional growth of their diverse learners.

Understanding the complex relationships between developing a positive relationship with students and achieving positive social emotional growth is a critical component of teaching today. Participants will be challenged through personal reflection to analyze their own "Success Mindset" and develop an individualized action plan for personal growth.

During this course participants will be exposed to how various factors influence social, emotional, and academic growth. Participants will also analyze current research on Developmental Relationships and explore ways in which fostering a "Success Mindset" can be systematically integrated into classroom and school culture. The term "Growth Mindset" has been used in education for years. By building positive relationships with students through conscious research-based practices, we expand that term to developing a "Success Mindset". Finally, participants will assess their classroom and/or building’s integration of existing supports to increase achievement and develop and implement a personalized plan to support a "Student of Concern", then reflect on the short-term outcomes.

This course combines theory and practical application. Participants will be challenged to share their gifts and talents with the class and also examine areas they feel they need to improve. Teaching the children of today in the classrooms of today within the culture of today demands a retooling of the concept of teacher. Teaching factual information is easy. The true question is – are the students’ actively learning what is being taught? In order to bridge the gap between teaching and learning it is critical teachers possess effective classroom management strategies and techniques. “Essential Strategies…..” explores every aspect of managing a classroom from kindergarten through grade twelve. We start with the basics and using a variety of teaching and learning strategies we allow participants to develop the necessary skills to be a more effective teacher.

This course is designed to demystify creativity and innovation. Students will discover that all human beings have a great deal of creative potential and will employ techniques for tapping into this immense, cognitive resource. Participants will research, learn, and discuss the most recent and widely accepted creativity theories: the thoughts of Keith Sawyer, Ronald Beghetto, and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi will be examined. Coursework will include students/instructors learning how to, and putting into practice: brainstorming techniques, team problem solving practices, and applying these methods to examine, dissect, and solve problems they face in life and in their classrooms. Through these highly engaging, interactive, and reflective activities we will change the way teachers and administrators view creativity, and ultimately reshape classroom pedagogy. Making American students more innovative and better problem solvers will be the end goal of the course experience.

This course is designed to empower educators with practical AI tools and strategies that elevate instruction and deepen student engagement. It provides educators with insights into how artificial intelligence can enhance teaching practices, streamline lesson planning, and support differentiated learning for diverse student needs. Participants will explore real-world applications of AI in the classroom, learn to implement AI-powered teaching strategies, and develop the skills to guide students in responsible AI use. By the end of this course, educators will be equipped to integrate AI thoughtfully and ethically, creating more dynamic and inclusive learning environments.