To register for in-house classes listed below, please click on the registration form linked next the time. If you want to change your registration or have questions, please email Jennifer Knight at jknight@schalmont.net
ENL Support - Click Here to Sign Up
This workshop offers educators practical strategies to effectively support ELLs (English Language Learners)in different classroom settings. Key principles of language acquisition, best practices for scaffolding and differentiation, and culturally responsive teaching approaches will be explored.
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: Nyla Mohrmann& Ann Koronowski& Kathy Sasso
Date/time: October 2 from 3:30 - 4:30, October 30 and November 6 from 3:30 to 5:00
Location: Middle School Library
Stipend: 4 seat time hours
Audience: Pre K-12 Educators
Session 1: Let’s Really Engage Our Students: Dynamic Strategies That Work
What is engagement? What does it look and sound like? How do you truly engage your students? During this session, we focus on what student engagement is and is not and why engaging all students during a lesson will increase student retention and achievement. Participants will learn to effectively design lessons to engage all students in learning that lasts using protocols that promote deeper learning as well as other engagement strategies that can be easily implemented into your daily practice.
Session 2: I Know I Taught It But: Checking for Understanding
You may have taught it but did the students learn it? How do you know if all the students got it? Do they know they got it? In this session, participants learn not only what it means to think like an assessor but how to apply student engaged assessment strategies into daily instruction to position students as leaders of their own learning. After the session is over, both participants and their students will be able to apply checking for understanding strategies throughout a lesson to gather evidence of student learning against the learning target to see if what was taught was what they learned.
Session 3: Differentiation Does Not Mean Watered-Down: Differentiated Instruction Done Right
“How do I truly differentiate my instruction to meet the needs of all my students without watering down the rigor?” During this session, participants will learn the principles of differentiated instruction and distinguish between differentiation and scaffolding. Additionally, the session will focus on a variety of effective content scaffolds that maintain the rigor of the grade-level standards as well as a variety of effective differentiated strategies that provides support for all learners throughout the 'process' portion of a lesson.
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: NYSCD
Date/time: November 18, December 2 & December 16 from 4:00 - 5:30
Location: Room 32
Stipend: 4.5 seat time hours
Audience: Pre K - 12 Educators
Join Dr. Heidi Beverine-Curry for a dynamic three-part learning series designed to deepen educators’ understanding of the intersection of RTI/MTSS and the Science of Reading, including what it takes to design systems that are informed by valid, reliable data to ensure that students achieve reading success through effective core instruction and intentional intervention.
Session 1: Universal Screening, Data Meetings, and Core Instruction
This opening session will clarify why we need a strong universal screener in our RTI/MTSS framework, examine the pros and cons of different types of universal screening tools, and offer practical tips for collecting universal screening data. We will discuss how to best use universal screening results in grade-level data meetings (spoiler alert – it is NOT to assign intervention tiers), and the implications for analysis of core instruction.
Session 2: Spotlight on Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) Data, Diagnostic Assessments, and Progress Monitoring
Dive into understanding how ORF data is an absolute goldmine and what it tells us about reading comprehension when we know how to interpret it. Learn about (and walk away with samples of) some basic diagnostic assessments that help us know where to target instruction in both core and intervention settings. How can we use a universal screening suite as a frequent progress monitoring tool for some students? Should we progress monitor on or off grade level? Let’s get into it!
Session 3: Building Systems that Sustain Literacy Growth
The final session focuses on the system-level shifts needed to inform our RTI/MTSS frameworks with the Science of Reading for lasting impact. Dr. Beverine-Curry will discuss how reshaping staff mindsets (especially administrators) about assessment and using data intentionally can drive continuous improvement. Participants will explore strategies to align personnel, scheduling, and leadership structures around literacy priorities—building the foundations for durable, schoolwide literacy success.
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: Heidi Benerine-Curry
Date/time: October 7, 21 & November 4 from 4:00 - 5:30
Location: TBD
Stipend: 4.5 seat time hours
Audience: Pre K - 12 Educators
The Science of Writing - Click Here to Sign Up , GCRTC Course Registration (Please Do Both)
This course is offered through Greater Capital Region Teacher Center. Welcome educators! We're excited to invite you to join our advanced professional learning opportunity: "The Science of Writing: Differentiated Practices for K-12 Success." Drawing from both cognitive science and classroom experience, this course isn't just about theory - it's about practical, proven strategies you can use tomorrow. Whether you're helping kindergarteners form their first sentences or guiding high school seniors through complex analytical essays, you'll find strategies tailored to your students' needs. Over five weeks, we'll dive deep into what really works in writing instruction. Each week builds on the last, and you'll leave with a portfolio of strategies, lesson plans, and resources ready for immediate use. You'll have opportunities to adapt these strategies for your specific students and receive feedback. If you've been looking for a way to strengthen your writing instruction with evidence-based practices that actually work in real classrooms, this is your opportunity. Join us in transforming how we teach writing, one classroom at a time.
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: Lorena Hurst, Stephanie Finn & Erica Boms Egdemir
Date/time: Asynchronous - Modules Due October 27, Nov 3, Nov. 10, Nov 17 & Dec. 1, 2025 from 3:30 - 4:30
Location: Online - Great Capital Region Teacher Center
Stipend: 15 seat time hours
Audience: ELA Instructors
Cup of Cocoa & Canva - Click Here to Sign Up
Have you ever admired others’ invitation designs or Christmas card layouts and wished you could make yours look that good? How many times have you spent money purchasing a template or invitation on Etsy to save yourself time or the headache of creating something yourself because it just seemed too complicated? How many times have you browsed or even purchased something from Teachers Pay Teachers because the document, presentation, or worksheet looked incredibly polished and amazing with its visual elements? Guess what? You can do all of it on your own and for FREE once you learn the basics of a program called Canva. Join me for a cup of hot cocoa and Canva basics. I will walk you through how to create your free educator account. I will model and teach you how to bring your lessons, presentations, and documents to life with a hands-on and interactive tutorial. This beginner-friendly course will teach you how to create eye-catching presentations, worksheets, newsletters, posters, and more to enhance your classroom environment and to engage your students. No graphic design experience? No worries! You’ll leave with practical skills, ready-to-use templates, and the confidence to create polished, professional-looking materials with ease.
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: Sarah Mattice
Date/time: October 28, 2025 from 3:30 - 4:30
Location: HS Room 35
Stipend: 1 seat time hours
Audience: Pre K-12 Educators
Training for Teacher Assistants and Paraeducators - In partnership with Education Elements and NYSASCD - Click Here to Sign Up
Recognizing the essential role these professionals play in supporting instruction and student success, this series provides foundational training that builds confidence, skill, and clarity around their contribution to the classroom and school environments.
Session 1: Strengthen Behavior and Classroom Management Capacity
Equipping teacher assistants and paraeducators with practical strategies to de-escalate student behaviors, foster calm environments, and support positive student interactions through mindful, trauma-informed
practices.
Session 2: Enhance Classroom Teamwork and Collaboration
Clarifying the roles of TAs and paraeducators within instructional teams and providing tools to build strong partnerships with teachers, promote proactive engagement, and increase instructional support.
Session 3: Build Confidence in Supporting Diverse Learners
Developing knowledge and skills related to IEP/504 implementation, data collection, and differentiated strategies that enable TAs and paraeducators to contribute meaningfully to the success of students with special needs.
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: NYSASCD
Date/time: Dates Changed to Febrary 26 2026, March 12, 2026 & March 26, 2026 from 4:00 - 5:30
Location: HS 32
Stipend: 4.5 seat time hours
Audience: Pre K-12 Teaching Assistants