Embedded Files
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
Instructional Illusions - Book Study - Click Here to Sign Up
Please join me for a practical and collaborative book study that will change the way your students learn! Instructional Illusions is a compact, accessible and highly practical book written by a powerhouse team of experts on the science of learning; Paul A. Kirshner, Carl Hendrick and Dr, Jim Heal.
So much of what happens in the process of learning and instruction is obscured from view. Much like the effects of a convincing illusion, what we think we see when we observe instruction is often far from the reality.
We will explore the ten instructional illusions through the lens of educational psychology, cognitive science, and instructional design. Together, we will consider how such illusions operate, unmask their true nature in light of the evidence, and learn powerful alternatives for authentic teaching and learning. Join me this winter to see beyond the illusion, understand and apply the true nature of instruction.
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: Armine Gonzalez
Date/time: December 11, 2025, January 8, 2026, January 22, Feb. 5, Feb 24 - 3:30 to 5:00
Location: HS Commons
Stipend: 7.5 seat time hours
Audience: Pre K- 12 Educators
Magically Making Strugglers Your Success Story! - Click Here to Sign Up
Understanding why students struggle is the first step toward supporting them effectively. Let’s break this down into three parts: understanding the struggles, learning new strategies to assist, and expanding your organizational “toolbox.”
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: Virginia Bond - Training Specialist with the Northeastern Regional Informiaton Center
Date/time: December 18, 2025 3:30 to 5:00
Location: High School Commons
Stipend: 1.5 seat time hours
Audience: Pre K- 5 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
The Science of Writing - Course is in session - Registration Closed
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: INTRODUCTION - 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. The first part will be instructional for this course and then you will have time to apply what you have learned.
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: Sarah Mattice
Date/time: Thursday, January 8, 2026, 3:30 - 4:40 pm
Location: HS Commons
Stipend: 1 seat time hour
Audience: PreK-12 Educators
Cup of Cocoa & Canva Classroom - Click Here to Sign Up
After you have learned the basics of Canva either on your own or from completing the Canva Introduction course, now it’s time to bring your classroom to life with Canva for Education—the ultimate creative tool for teachers and students! In this hands-on session, you’ll discover how to use Canva’s free classroom features to design stunning lessons, engaging visuals, and interactive student projects that spark imagination and boost learning. Then, you will use time with instructor guidance to start a Canva Classroom activity to use with your students.
You’ll learn how to:
Set up and manage your Canva Classroom for easy collaboration
Design eye-catching assignments, presentations, and digital posters
Empower students to create portfolios, infographics, and multimedia projects
Access hundreds of ready-to-use templates that save you time and elevate your teaching
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: Sarah Mattice
Date/time: Monday, January 12, 2026, 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Location: HS Commons
Stipend: 1.5 seat time hour
Audience: PreK-12 Educators
Cup of Cocoa & Canva: Advanced Graphic Design - Click Here to Sign Up
Ready to take your Canva skills to the next level? This dynamic, hands-on session is all about mastering the little things that make a big difference in your designs! After you have familiarized yourself with Canva basics and Canva Classroom, now let’s kick it up a notch! Whether you’re creating classroom visuals, newsletters, social media posts, or student projects, you’ll learn the insider tricks that turn everyday Canva users into true design pros. The first part of class will be instructional with all of the tips and tricks for enhanced design. Then, you will work on either enhancing a Canva design already in your portfolio or work to create a new Canva design for your classroom and students that integrates and showcases these tips. In this session, you’ll:
Discover hidden Canva features that save time and add polish
Learn color theory and font pairing basics to make your designs pop
Explore shortcut keys, alignment tools, and layering hacks for effortless precision
Master background removal, transparency, and animation tools
Create scroll-stopping graphics for presentations, websites, or social media
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: Sarah Mattice
Date/time: Tuesday March 3, 2026, 3:30-5pm
Location: HS Commons
Stipend: 1.5 seat time hour
Audience: PreK-12 Educators
Beyond Grades: Transforming Assessment to Empower Student Learning with Starr Sackstein - Click Here to Sign Up
This three-part series challenges educators to reimagine assessment practices that better support learning and student growth. Led by renowned educator Starr Sackstein, participants will explore the historical and psychological impacts of traditional grading, discover the power of peer and self-assessment, and gain actionable strategies to implement alternative models like standards-based grading, portfolios, and feedback-driven instruction. Through reflection, practical tools, and real-world examples, this series empowers educators to create more equitable, student-centered classrooms where assessment becomes a tool for learning, not just evaluation.
Session 1: Rethinking Assessment: Why Traditional Grading Fails Students
The historical context of grading
Research on grading’s impact on motivation and learning
The case for shifting toward feedback-driven assessment
Takeaways for Participants:
Self-reflection activity: Evaluate current grading practices.
Research-based insights on grading’s impact on student motivation.
Strategies to initiate discussions with stakeholders (parents, administrators).
Session 2: Empowering Students: The Role of Peer Feedback in Learning
How to build a culture of constructive peer assessment
Strategies for training students to give meaningful feedback
Balancing teacher, peer, and self-assessment
Takeaways for Participants
Step-by-step guide for implementing peer feedback routines.
Examples of effective student feedback models.
Digital and analog tools for structuring peer review.
Techniques for coaching students to give high-quality feedback.
Session 3: Making the Shift: Practical Steps to Transform Assessment in Your Classroom
Alternative grading models (standards-based, portfolios, contract grading, etc.)
Overcoming challenges and resistance
Tools and strategies for implementation
Takeaways for Participants
Overview of alternative grading models (e.g., self-assessment, portfolios, contract grading).
Sample templates and rubrics for qualitative feedback.
Case studies of schools/teachers successfully implementing these strategies.
Maximum number of participants NA
Instructor: Starr Sackstein
Date/time: Tuesdays January 13, 27 & Feb 10, 2026, 3:30-5pm
Location: HS 32
Stipend: 4.5 seat time hour
Audience: PreK-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
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