2023-24 Events

Elementary ESL Learning Site

Upper Elementary ESL Learning Site 5/21: This learning site brings educators together to address the question, “How do we implement the OMME ESL curriculum to support multilingual learners in accessing Tier 1 content?" The site will demonstrate two teachers’ collaborative approach to answering this question while thinking through differentiation to support student needs. After the observation, educators will debrief with the host teacher with potential follow up sessions for an ALC/PDPs. 

Collaborative Practices for Inclusion Connect and Share

May 20, 2024 on Zoom 5:30 - 7:00pm: Are you looking for ideas, strategies, and resources to support inclusive practices? The Telescope Network is hosting a Connect and Share virtual panel discussion on the topic of "Collaborative practices for inclusion." Join us as our panelists discuss how they have been successfully coordinating services, scaffolds, and accommodations for students. During the 1.5-hour session, you can hear from a panel of “humble expert” colleagues about what’s working for them and bring resources & tools back to your own setting. The intended audience for this event is current and future learning specialists, inclusion specialists, ESL educators, and anyone interested in best practices for coordinating services for students.

SLIFE Educator Connect and Share

May 13th, 2024 on Zoom 5:30-7:00 pm:  The Telescope Network is hosting a Connect and Share virtual panel discussion for SLIFE Educators. Join us to hear from colleagues around BPS about what's working to support diverse students needs in their SLIFE classrooms and communities. During the 1.5-hour session, you can hear from a panel of “humble expert” colleagues about what’s working for them and bring resources & tools back to your own setting.

Focus Literacy Stations Learning Site

Focus Literacy Stations Learning Site: If you or an educator you know is working toward implementing Focus literacy stations to allow all students to access high quality instructional materials to strengthen literacy skills and further develop knowledge, this is an opportunity to join other educators in a live classroom around a common area of practice. This learning site on 05/09/24 places the question of “How do we implement stations to allow all students to access high quality instructional materials to strengthen literacy skills and further develop knowledge" within the context of diverse learners. The site will demonstrate one teacher's approach to answering this question while thinking through systems and structures to allow all students to engage in learning. After the observation, educators have a chance to think through and debrief with the host teacher around the hows and whys of their teaching practice with potential for follow up coaching sessions for an ALC/PDPs. 

Implementing EL Learning Site

Implementing EL Learning Site:  (2nd Date Added) The Telescope Network, in partnership with the ELA Department, are co-hosting a Learning site on 5/8/24 which places the question of "How do we implement the EL curriculum to increase access and engagement with grade-level content for all students?" The site will demonstrate a school’s approach to answering this question while thinking through a productive coaching relationship that empowers educators to adapt the curriculum effectively. After the observation educators have a chance to think through and debrief with the 4th grade team around the hows and whys of their teaching practice and how they made this work possible. The intended audience of this learning site are educators implementing EL in their classrooms. 

Elementary IM Learning Site

Elementary Illustrative Math Learning Site: If you or an educator you know is looking to see the IM curriculum at the elementary grades in action, this is an opportunity to join other educators for a day in a live classroom around a common area of practice. This learning site on 5/2/24 places the question of "How do we engage all students in rigorous IM tasks with an emphasis on student sense making?” within the context of a diverse classroom. Come see a 3rd grade math class, led by Kayla Cantu (3rd grade teacher) and Liz Bishop (ESL Teacher), facilitated by the instructional coach, Lisamarie Ivey, where students are engaging in grade level, complex IM tasks.  After the observation, educators have a chance to think through and debrief with the host teachers around the hows and whys of their teaching practice with follow up coaching sessions for an ALC/PDPs.

Rules-Based Reading Edcamp

May 1st, 2024 on Zoom: EdCamps are a unique "unconference" form of PD where those in attendance lead learning for one another according to their interests. On May 1st, the Telescope Network is hosting an Edcamp from 5:30 to 7:00pm on zoom. The theme of this Edcamp is Rules Based Reading. Across the district, so many of us have been trained in various rules based reading programs and are looking for other educators to connect with and share what's working. Come prepared with a question, idea, or strategy you are working on! Or join us to spark new ideas and meet new people. And spread the word--this is open to BPS and non-BPS participants.

Secondary Science for MLs Learning Site

Secondary Science for MLs Learning Site:  Investigate the question "How do we provide access to Tier 1 science curricula to multilingual students?" with colleagues through a peer observation and debrief with the host teacher, Sarah Benat, about the hows and whys of her teaching practice. @Brighton High School on Tuesday 4/30. Hosted by the Telescope Network. 

Participants will receive PD hours and there is also an option for follow up peer coaching sessions for an ALC.

Educator of Color Connect and Share #2

April 24th, 2024 5:00 pm - 7:00pm at RCC The BPS/BTU Telescope Network, BPS Office of Retention, Cultivation, and Diversity and The Teacher's Lounge are co-hosting a panel discussion where educators of color will be discussing how our BIPOC identities impact professional collaboration and growth. The panel of “humble expert” colleagues will also share about culturally sustaining experiences, what’s working for them, and other ideas for educators to take back to their practice. Participants will receive 2 PDP hours for attending the panel. 

Dinner will be provided before the panel begins. 

CLSP in Elementary School Learning Site

CLSP in Elementary Learning Site: The Telescope Network is hosting a Learning site on 4/09/24 which places the question of “How do educators of color leverage their cultural identity to support the delivery of curriculum with authentic CLSP experiences in the elementary classroom?" After the observation educators have a chance to think through and debrief with the 4th grade team around the hows and whys of their teaching practice and how they made this work possible. The intended audience of this learning site are coaches and one of their mentees.

Providing Access to Primary Sources for MLs

April 3rd, 2024 on Zoom 4:00 - 5:30pm: Are you looking for ideas, strategies, and routines that will support multilingual learners in accessing primary sources in your classroom? The BPS History Department and the Telescope Network are co-hosting a Connect and Share virtual panel discussion on the topic of "Providing Access to Primary Sources for Multilingual Learners in the Secondary Classroom" During the 1.5-hour session, you can hear from a panel of “humble expert” colleagues about what’s working for them and bring resources & tools back to your own setting.

Implementing EL Learning Site

Implementing EL Learning Site: The Telescope Network, in partnership with EL Education and the ELA Department, are co-hosting a Learning site on 3/20/24 which places the question of "How do we implement the EL curriculum to increase access and engagement with grade-level content for all students?" The site will demonstrate a school’s approach to answering this question while thinking through a productive coaching relationship that empowered educators to adapt the curriculum effectively. After the observation educators have a chance to think through and debrief with the 4th grade team around the hows and whys of their teaching practice and how they made this work possible. The intended audience of this learning site are coaches and one of their mentees.

Stations and Studios in Early Childhood Classrooms

March 06, 2024 on Zoom 5:30 pm - 7:00pm Are you looking for ideas, strategies, and routines that will support the implementation of stations or studios  in your classroom? The Telescope Network is hosting a Connect and Share virtual panel discussion on the topic of "Stations and Studios in Early Childhood Classrooms." Join us as our panelists discuss how they have been successfully implementing stations and studios in their early childhood spaces! During the 1.5-hour session, you can hear from a panel of “humble expert” colleagues about what’s working for them and bring resources & tools back to your own setting.

SLIFE Equitable Biliteracy Learning Site

SLIFE Equitable Biliteracy Learning Site: Join colleagues to investigate the question "How do we differentiate learning to enable all SLIFE students to access complex and enabling texts in English and their native language?” on 3.5.24 at Blackstone elementary school. This site will demonstrate two teachers’ approach to this question as we observe live instruction. After the observation, participants will have the opportunity to think through and debrief with the host teachers about the hows and whys of their teaching practice. Includes a virtual pre-session and follow-up virtual sessions focused on implementing the learning in your setting. Hosted by Rocio Diaz Niachi and Emily Sassola, Grade 3 & 4 SLIFE teachers at the Blackstone, and the Telescope Network.  Earn an ALC or PD hours.

Educator of Color Connect and Share

February 29, 2024 5:30 pm - 7:00pm at THE MIX Join The Telescope Network, BPS Office of Recruitment, Cultivation and Diversity and The Teacher’s Lounge for a panel of ‘humble expert’ colleagues who will deliberate the question “How does your identity impact and inform your practice?”

Ethnic Studies Learning Site

Promoting Discourse in Ethnic Studies Classroom: If you or an educator is working toward improving student discourse regarding Ethnic Studies concepts, here's an opportunity to collaborate with fellow Ethnic Studies educators for a half-day session in a live classroom focused on a shared area of practice. Taking place on Feb. 14th, this learning site addresses the question, "How can we use discourse and discussion to deepen students’ understanding of ES concepts?" in the context of a diverse group of learners. The session will showcase one teacher's approach to addressing this question. Following the observation, educators will have the opportunity to reflect and discuss with the host teacher about the hows and whys behind their teaching practices, with follow-up sessions for an ALC/PDPs.

Early Childhood Phonics Learning Site 

 Early Childhood Phonics Learning Site 2/8: This learning site on February 8th, 2024 places the question of “How do we implement tier 1 phonics and phonemic awareness instruction to provide access for all learners?” The site will demonstrate the K2 teacher teams approach to answering this question while thinking through integrating different aspects of phonics and phonemic awareness curricula. After the observation, educators have a chance to think through and debrief with the host teacher around the hows and whys of their teaching practice with potential for follow up coaching sessions for an ALC/PDPs

Student Centered Illustrative Math Learning Site

Student Centered Illustrative Math Learning Site: If you or an educator you know is looking to see the IM curriculum at the middle grades in action, this is an opportunity to join other educators for a day in a live classroom around a common area of practice. This learning site on 2/6/24 places the question of “How do we implement IM to create student centered math learning experiences?” within the context of an inclusion classroom. Come see a 6th grade math class, led by Lirna DePina at the King K-6 School, where students are engaged in problem solving and sharing their thinking through IM curricular tasks. After the observation, educators have a chance to think through and debrief with the host teacher around the hows and whys of their teaching practice with follow up coaching sessions for an ALC/PDPs. This opportunity is for middle grades math educators and will fill quickly. Please sign up ASAP to reserve your spot. 

SLIFE Math & Native Literacy Learning Site:

SLIFE Math & Native Literacy Learning Site:  Join colleagues to investigate the question “"How do we differentiate learning to develop all students’ native literacy and math skills in a SLIFE classroom?" on 2.5.24 at Frederick Pilot Middle School. This site will demonstrate two teachers’ approach to this question as we observe live instruction. After the observation, participants will have the opportunity to think through and debrief with the host teachers about the hows and whys of their teaching practice. Includes a virtual pre-session and follow-up virtual sessions focused on implementing the learning in your setting. Hosted by Mayra Da Rocha and Faustino Ajanel, SLIFE teachers at the Frederick, and the Telescope Network.  Earn an ALC or PD hours.  

OpenSciEd Inclusion Learning Site

OpenSciEd Inclusion Learning Site:  Join colleagues to investigate the question “How do we implement the OpenSciEd curriculum in an inclusive setting so that all students can succeed?” on 1.25.24 at Charlestown High School. This site will demonstrate one teacher's approach to this question as we observe live instruction. After the observation, participants will have the opportunity to think through and debrief with the host teacher about the hows and whys of their teaching practice. Includes a virtual pre-session and follow-up virtual sessions focused on implementing the learning in your setting. Hosted by Michelle Carroll, MS inclusion science teacher at CHS, and the Telescope Network.  Earn an ALC or PD hours.

Connect & Share on “Foundational Literacy”

January 18, 2024 5:30-7:00 pm on Zoom: The Dyslexia Working Group & Telescope Network are co-hosting a Connect and Share virtual panel discussion on the topic of "Meeting the Foundational Literacy Needs of Our Students." During the 1.5-hour session, you can hear from a panel of “humble expert” colleagues about what’s working for them and bring resources & tools back to your own setting.

Comprehensive Literacy for All Edcamp

Comprehensive Literacy for All Edcamp: Engage in an open conversation about how your experiences, needs, and how identity impacts navigating classroom instruction and/or professional spaces. This session is for BPS educators who support students with significant disabilities. Come and connect with colleagues from across Greater Boston to discuss the "How do we support literacy development for students with significant disabilities?" On Tuesday, January 16th the BPS/BTU Telescope Network, in partnership with BPS Related Services is hosting an in-person Edcamp at the Frederick Pilot Middle School from 4:30-6:30 pm. Participants will earn 2 PD hours. Register and help spread the word! 

Integrating SEL in Academics Learning Site

Integrating SEL in Academics Learning Site @ Greenwood starts on 12/13: The Telescope Network and the BPS Office of Health & Wellness are co-hosting a Learning Site that starts on 12/13, from 6:30 to 7:15 pm on Zoom. The Learning Site includes 4 1-hour virtual sessions as well as a day of peer observation all focused on the question, “How do we integrate SEL practices into academic settings?” Peer observation will be hosted by Sheila Gonzalez, Ariane Lazarte, & Rosemary Sullivan at Greenwood K-8 on December 14 from 9:15 am to 3:00 pm. Spaces are limited

Effective Teaming Learning Site 

Effective Teaming Learning Site: If you are on an inclusion planning team and are thinking about how to effectively roll out the inclusion process at your school,  this is an opportunity to join other educators for a full day in a live classroom around a common area of practice. This learning site on 12/11/23 places the question of “How do school wide initiatives support educators to effectively collaborate in a team?” This site will demonstrate a teaching team’s approach to answering this question with guidance from the school leader.  After the observation, educators have a chance to think through and debrief with the host educators around the hows and whys of their teaching practice with potential for follow up coaching sessions for an ALC/PDPs. 

Explicit Writing in K-12 Connect & Share

Connect & Share Session on “Explicit Writing”: Are you looking for ideas, strategies, and routines that will engage writers in your classroom? The Telescope Network is hosting a Connect and Share virtual panel discussion on the topic of "Explicit Writing Instruction in K-12." Join us as our panelists discuss how they have been implementing explicit writing moves across K-12 classrooms! During the 1.5-hour session, you can hear from a panel of “humble expert” colleagues about what’s working for them and bring resources & tools back to your own setting.

OpenSciEd Inclusion Learning Site

OpenSciEd Inclusion Learning Site Join colleagues to investigate the question “How do we implement the OpenSciEd curriculum in an inclusive setting so that all students can succeed?” on 11.30.23 at Charlestown High School. This site will demonstrate one teacher's approach to this question as we observe live instruction. After the observation, participants will have the opportunity to think through and debrief with the host teacher about the hows and whys of their teaching practice. Includes a virtual pre-session and follow-up virtual sessions focused on implementing the learning in your setting. Hosted by Michelle Carroll, MS inclusion science teacher at CHS, and the Telescope Network.  Earn an ALC or PD hours.

Early Childhood Phonics Learning Site 

 Early Childhood Phonics Learning Site 11/29: This learning site on November 29th, 2023 places the question of “How do we implement tier 1 phonics and phonemic awareness instruction to provide access for all learners?” The site will demonstrate the K2 teacher teams approach to answering this question while thinking through integrating different aspects of phonics and phonemic awareness curricula. After the observation, educators have a chance to think through and debrief with the host teacher around the hows and whys of their teaching practice with potential for follow up coaching sessions for an ALC/PDPs

Edcamp for Educators of Color

Educator of Color Edcamp 11/14: Engage in an open conversation about how your experiences, needs, and how identity impacts navigating classroom instruction and/or professional spaces. Come and connect with colleagues from across Greater Boston to discuss the "What does it mean to be an educator of color in public schools?" On Tuesday, November 14th the BPS/BTU Telescope Network, in partnership with the Office of Retention, Cultivation, and Diversity and the Teacher's Lounge, is hosting a virtual Edcamp on Zoom from 5:00-7:00 pm. Participants will earn 2 PD hours. Register and help spread the word! 

Fishtank for Multilingual Learners Learning Site (Region 1) 

Fishtank for Multilingual Learners Learning Site: The Telescope Network is hosting a Learning Site that starts on 11/6, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm on Zoom. The Learning Site includes 4 1-hour virtual sessions as well as an in-person peer observation all focused on the question, ““How can we provide access to grade level content in the Fishtank curriculum for multilingual learners?” Peer observation will be hosted by teachers Carinne Gale, Gr 3 SEI & Ronnie Singh, Gr 3 Inclusion at PJ Kennedy on November 9 from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Spaces are limited.

Collaborative Problem Solving Learning Site (K-12)

Collaborating Problem Solving Learning Site: If you or an educator you know is working toward improving student collaboration and understanding in math group work, this is an opportunity to join other educators for a day in a live classroom around a common area of practice. This learning site on 11/7/23 places the question of "“How do we support students engaged in group work to persevere together in solving rich, grade-level math tasks?” Come see a 6th grade inclusion classroom, led by Jara Richards at the Eliot Upper School, where students are engaged in the “Building Thinking Classrooms” math routine. After the observation educators have a chance to think through and debrief with the host teacher around the hows and whys of their teaching practice with follow up coaching sessions for an ALC/PDPs. This opportunity is for K-12 educators and will fill quickly. Please sign up ASAP to reserve your spot.

Explicit Writing in K-12 Edcamp

Explicit Writing Edcamp 9/26: This Edcamp is for BPS educators supporting the writing skills of students in grades K-12 . Join us to connect with BPS colleagues and discuss the question, "What explicit teaching moves support our students in becoming engaged and empowered writers?" On Tuesday, September 26h the BPS/BTU Telescope Network is hosting a virtual Edcamp on Zoom from 5:00-7:00 pm. Teachers, Paras, and other educators teaching writing can share your questions and challenges, connect with colleagues from across Boston, and discuss solutions. Participants will earn 2 PD hours. Register and help spread the word! 

Edcamp for SLIFE Educators

SLIFE Educator Edcamp 9/19: Teaching SLIFE students is full of unique delights and unique challenges. Let’s join together for an Edcamp to discuss the question “How do we start the year strong with our SLIFE students?”. On Tuesday, September 19th the BPS/BTU Telescope Network is hosting a virtual Edcamp on Zoom from 4:30-6:30 pm. Teachers, Paras, and other educators in SLIFE setiings settings can share your questions and challenges, connect with colleagues from across Boston, and discuss solutions. Participants will earn 2 PD hours. Register and help spread the word!